Caring
for your cat:
When you first bring your cat or kitten home it should already have
been inoculated, wormed and checked over by a veterinary surgeon for
general health. Now it is your duty to keep the cat fit and healthy;
routine maintenance, and a balanced diet, are the basis of this.
Choosing a Veterinary Surgeon: The first priority is to find
a veterinary surgeon, and to register with the practice. Do not wait until
your cat is ill, or has had some accident; you never know when your cat
might need medical attention, and if you and your cat are already know to
a vet, he or she will have the background information. It is important to
find a vet who has a good knowledge of cats, and is up to date on various
illnesses and ailments that can affect the feline, along with their
appropriate treatment. When the annual booster inoculation is due, ask the
vet to give your cat a a thorough health check at the same time.
Routine Care: Regular Grooming will help keep your
cat's coat sparkling and free on tangles, and will help to stop fur balls
forming. You will also be able to spot any signs of fleas, or other
external parasites, and treat them before they become a problem. In the
same way, you will see any telltale signs of tapeworm infestations.
Claws, eyes, ears, and teeth all benefit from regular examinations. Try to
make this a regular routine, perhaps every fortnight or so. Once the cat
is accustomed to the idea, it will probably start to enjoy these little
sessions.
Claws: Clipping your cat's claws will save your furniture.
Clipping claws should be done with care, and it is best to get the vet to
show you how to do it for the first time. Holding the cat firmly, push the
paw pad of each individual claw inward, one at a time; this will reveal
the unsheathed claw. You will see two quite different colors to the claw,
a pink area in the middle, surrounded by a whitish covering culminating in
the pointed end of the claw. The pink area contains the blood supply and
the nerves and, if cut, would cause pain and bleeding. The sharp, white
point of the claw is composed only of dead cells, and is perfectly safe to
cut. Special claw clippers can be bought from the pet store, but ordinary
nail clippers designed for humans are just as effective. Your cat may
object at first, but once introduced to the routine they will soon accept
a clipping session. A cat scratching post with play things attached, will
give your cat hours of pleasure with the added bonus of saving the
furniture and carpets.
Eyes: It is not unusual to find small deposits of matter in
the corner of the eyes; this can be removed with some cotton moistened
with cooled boiled water or, if your are careful, with your clean little
finger - but be very careful not to poke the cat in the eye. The third
eyelid (haw or nictitating membrane) should not be visible in a healthy
cat.
The cat is unusual in that it has three eyelids. two of which move up and
down like our own. The haw moves across the eye from the side nearest to
the nose towards the outer edge. If dust, or even cat litter, gets in your
cat's eye it will cause the haw to come up - if this is the case, bathing
the eye in a dilute eye wash will have a soothing effect. However a
visible haw can be an early warning of impending illness. If it is still
up after twenty-our hours, you should consult your vet. If the cat seems
to have runny eyes, especially if accompanied by sneezing, it may be cat
flu, or suffering an allergic reactions.
Ears: The ears should smell and look clean, with no sign of
waxy build-up. The pinna, or external ear, can be cleaned with a little
moistened cotton. Never delve deep into the ear canal, as this could cause
damage. Any brown, or waxy debris may indicate ear mite infestation, if
this is suspected see your vet. A little olive oil on cotton a
gently clean the ear is also a good treatment to clean the ears and help
rid of mites, but always see your vet first.
Teeth: The teeth should look clean, and the breath smell
sweet. Diet is very important for the development of healthy teeth in
early years. In order to keep gums healthy, and to prevent the build-up of
tartar and plaque, your cat should always be given something to chew on
such as a non-splintering bone, dried meat or certain suitable biscuits,
If your cat persistently scratches at its face, or reuses to eat, it may
have a loose tooth, gingivitis or both. Contact your vet immediately.
Regular examination of your cats mouth will give you an indication of any
problems. Look for inflamed gums or loose teeth.
Other Points to Check: Always look for any unusual lump or
bump. This may be a simple sebaceous cyst; is could also be a start of a tumor.
Any changes in temperament could indicate injury or illness. It can not be
stressed enough how important regular observation and examination of your
cat is. Remember your vet will usually only see your cat once a year for
the annual check-up and boosters. You know your cat best as it lives with
you twenty-four hours a day and so you are the person who will notice if
the cat is 'not right or not'. Do not be afraid to mention the smallest
change in your cat's shape, size. personality or behavior to your vet;
what may seem trivial to you could be vital information that will help
provide a correct diagnosis.
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