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Cat Owner's Manual

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Cat Owner's Manual Congratulations on adding a new member to your household! We hope that your cat will bring you years of joy and we’ve included some information in this packet that should help you along toward this goal. You will receive your new friend’s health records with information on vaccination dates and any treatments or procedures the cat had during its stay at C.A.R.E. You will want to have this with you at the cat’s first visit with your own vet. We recommend establishing a relationship between you, your cat, and your vet at your earliest convenience. In the event you do not have a regular vet, we’ve provided you with information on how to choose a vet. You’ll also find information about local emergency animal centers, information on handling common (though not always appreciated) feline behaviors, basic tips on cat C.A.R.E. and a list of resources should anything arise that we don’t cover in your adoption packet. Please understand that while bringing this cat into your home is a wonderful thing, it can still be a stressful change for your kitty. We strongly urge you to give your cat a few days to adapt to all these changes. Keep him or her in a small room, even a bathroom, for a couple of days so your kitty can get used to life outside a cage, and get to know you. This step is even more critical if you have adopted an especially shy cat. Spend several 20 minute to one-half hour sessions with your new cat. Use this time to let your kitty know that you are the source of all things good...food, petting, and play. Gradually introduce your cat to the rest of your home. If you move too fast, you might find that your cat will hide a lot, perhaps only coming out while you’re asleep to check you out. Don’t be alarmed if kitty doesn’t eat a lot for the first day or so. Sometimes cats develop little stress colds after moving into their new home. This is generally nothing to be alarmed about, but do make sure that the cat is eating and not overly congested. Call your adoption counselor and your vet if the cat does not eat for more than 2 days or seems lethargic. Your adoption counselor will be calling you after a day or so to see how your kitty is adjusting to its new environment. Please do not hesitate to call your counselor or the C.A.R.E. voicemail (847-705-2653) in the meantime should you have any questions. As you and your new cat adjust to each other, please keep in mind the adoption counselors and other feline volunteers at C.A.R.E. are happy to provide you additional information or resources throughout your cat’s lifetime. For example, if you need help learning to trim your cat’s nails, or need help trimming the nails, you can schedule a nail trim at C.A.R.E. We look forward to a long and satisfying relationship with you...and for you and your cat. Please let us know how your cat is doing....we love receiving holiday cards and photos, and hearing stories about your cat in his or her new home! Table of Contents Adopters Resource Page – “Things Your Cat Wants You to Know” ............................. 1 Why Two Kittens........................................................................................................... 2 Cat Proofing Your Home............................................................................................... 3 Kitten Proofing Your Home................................................................................. 5 Allergies and Your Cat .................................................................................................. 6 Owner Allergic Reactions................................................................................... 6 Introducing Your Cat .................................................................................................... 7 To Your Home.................................................................................................... 7 To Other Cats..................................................................................................... 9 To Dogs............................................................................................................ 11 Feeding Guidelines ..................................................................................................... 13 Food Ingredients......................................................................................................... 16 Behavior...................................................................................................................... 18 Aggression ....................................................................................................... 18 Over-stimulation ............................................................................................... 18 Stress............................................................................................................... 19 Alpha Females ................................................................................................. 20 Head-Bumps and Cheek Rubs......................................................................... 21 Indoor Cats ................................................................................................................. 22 Litter and Litterbox Tips .............................................................................................. 24 Preventing & Problem Solving.......................................................................... 24 Health ......................................................................................................................... 26 Selecting a Vet ................................................................................................. 26 Local Emergency Animal Centers .................................................................... 26 AAFP Pre-Vet Checklist ................................................................................... 27 AAFP Senior Cat Checklist .............................................................................. 28 Toxic Substances............................................................................................. 29 Nails and Nail Trimming.............................................................................................. 32 Appointments with CARE for Trimming............................................................ 33 “Think Twice Before You Declaw” by Steve Dale............................................. 34 Postures of the Cat ..................................................................................................... 38 Things Your Cat Wants You To Know Useful Websites Behavior Important Phone • Various topics: http://www.aafponline.org/resources/ Numbers practice_guidelines.htm. American Association of Feline Practitioners. C.A.R.E. Hotline • Various topics: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/index.htm. (847) 705-2653 Cornell Feline Health Center. Declawing Poison Control Center— Animal • http://stevedalepetworld.com/images/stories/declawing.pdf (888) 426-4435 Health *A consultation fee may be applied to your credit card* • Comprehensive articles and issues. http://www.sheltermedicine.com/ portal/infosheets.shtml#top3. Univ. of CA, Davis Avid Microchip (800) 336-2843 • Diabetes, Urinary Tract, Gastrointestinal, etc.: http:// www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/index.htm. Cornell Feline Health Center C.A.R.E. Adoption Counselor • Nutrition and Feeding: http://www.catinfo.org/. Linda A. Pierson, DVM Infectious Diseases Name: • FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis): Go to “Library” at http:// Phone: www.winnfelinehealth.org/index.html. Winn Feline Foundation. • FIP, FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus), FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus): http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/index.htm. Cornell Feline Health Center Links to Links Kitten Care • www.catwellness.org/ • Comprehensive kitten care information. http://www.catchannel.com/ • www.stevedalepetworld.com/ kittens/default.aspx. Cat Channel images/stories/resourcelist.pdf Senior Care • http://www.aafponline.org/resources/practice_guidelines.htm. American C.A.R.E. Website Association of Feline Practitioners http://www.care-evanston.org/ www.CAREnorthshore.org • http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/index.htm. Cornell Feline links.htm Health Center • Fundraising activities Just Plain Fun...AND Informative • Happy Tails • Create a web page for your cat, chat groups, more links. http:// www.catster.com • Volunteer opportunities • Create a web page for your cat, blogs, more links. http:// • More links to helpful re- www.catchannel.com sources 1 Why Kittens & Young Cats Should Be Adopted In Pairs Credit and Thanks to PAWS Chicago Adoption Program for this article Kittens are curious and crave constant stimulation. A single, bored kitten will often entertain itself by chewing on plants, climbing drapes, climbing furniture, unrolling toilet paper, exploring electrical cords and sockets, etc. This is not to say that kittens who live with other kittens won't also sometimes do these things, but if they have another kitten to tumble around and play with, it is less likely that they will need to entertain themselves with behaviors like these, which at the least are destructive and at the worst can be very dangerous. Kittens tend to be very active at night. A single kitten is likely to keep the owner awake with constant jumping, pouncing and other hunting behavior directed at any portion of the owner's body, which moves under the bed linens. With a companion to play with after the owner has gone to bed, this behavior is minimized as the two will occupy each other by finding interesting
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