Cat information, care, and appreciation!

Do you have a cat?

Yes!	33.6%	[ 41 ]
Yes, I have more than one!	43.4%	[ 53 ]
No... T_T	16.4%	[ 20 ]
No, and I'm glad of it.	1.6%	[ 2 ]
Poll gold!	4.9%	[ 6 ]
Total Votes:			[ 122 ]

[DesertRock]

About this thread: The Pets forum needs an official thread for cats, addressing FAQs and the general awesomeness of cats! We’re here to answer your questions about caring for cats from adoption through old age. You can also talk about your pet cat(s), post pictures, or discuss other related topics. heart

I am currently looking for volunteers to help answer questions & keep the thread alive. PM me with information about yourself & your cat qualifications if you are interested.
Update: I'm going to be gone for a while - I recently got news that a family member has metastasized prostate cancer. I hope to revive this thread in the future, but I've got other priorities right now.

Rules:
- Be civil. It’s not hard. Inappropriate and trolling posts will be reported.
- If you disagree with anything in this thread, address it respectfully & give evidence to support your viewpoint. We’re all here to learn about what’s best for our kitties, not to bicker.
- Respect other people's opinions on controversial topics like declawing or neutering. Do not harass other posters for disagreeing with your viewpoints, or for stating things that you think are abuse. See previous rule... this thread should be accessible to all levels of cat owners, so don't scare off noobs!
- Please don’t post massive pictures (link to it, or resize); don’t quote posts with massive pictures.
- Check the FAQ to see if your question has already been answered.
- If you have a question, try to be clear and use proper spelling/grammar. It helps us understand your problem & respond to you. Do it for teh kittehs!
- Observe the TOS.


Index:
[1] Introduction (you are here)
[2] Pets Forum Links
[3] Helpful links about cats
[4] Cats FAQ
[5] About us
[6] Funny cat-related links
[7] Kitteh spotlight
[8] - reserved - Not sure why yet… ninja

[DesertRock]

Pets Forum Links

Recently active threads on pet ownership, responsibilities, and care as of 4/23/11.


Kipluck - For the Betterment and Education of the Pet’s Forum! (a more complete forum guide/thread listing)
Morphine Kiss - Rat Appreciation & Information
Babies are so cute, I think I’ll just make my animals mate! (The problem with backyard breeding & how to breed responsibly)
Akari 32 - Basic Fish Care and Appreciation
CLAIRExREDFIELDx - Tarantulas, anyone?
baileeYDG - Rabbit Appreciation and Information Thread
Why NOT to get a Bunny for Easter!
Rawr_Imma_Cuppy - Bearded Dragon Discussion and Help
Kipluck - Chinchilla Help and Chat Thread
Q2k - A note to wolf-lovers
Lady Sabraeli - The Hermit Crab Appreciation Thread
Maymei Kitty - The Pet Show (picture post competitions - read the rules!)
Henrika - Need Pet Advice? Everything You Need to Know
Norse Princess - Hedgehog care


If there is a thread you would like added to this list, post the link. Note that it will be added at my discretion, and I will generally not include thread topics that support unethical or moronic treatment of animals, threads dedicated to your pet, petition threads, or threads where the OP has horrific grammar and spelling. Please let me know if any links need updating.

[DesertRock]

Helpful links about cats

This section is currently limited - I'm looking for fair & balanced websites that support claims with research and information, not opinion sites. Know of other helpful links? Let me know. Also alert me of news reports concerning pet food or product recalls! These will be posted on the introduction page.


Health and Care
Catpert the Cat Expert
Pawprints and Purrs, Inc. Cat Health Care - Index of Cat Health Information

Adoption
Petfinder - Are you looking to adopt an animal? Search your local shelters here.
Scottish Fold Rescue


Note: I have not read everything on every one of these websites, so please alert me if there is false or misleading information on any one of them. Also alert me if they are associated with groups that might cause bias in the information (i.e., PETA, or a brand that sells cat-products), or if any of the links are dead.

[DesertRock]

Cats FAQ

Disclaimer: I am not a vet, nor can I or anyone else accurately diagnose health problems over the internet. This thread is not a replacement for a trip to the vet if your cat is injured, ill, or displaying worrisome symptoms and behavior.

1. I want a pet cat. Is it appropriate for my lifestyle? How and where can I get one?
2. I just got a new cat, what do I do?
3. Is it better for my pet cat to be indoor only, outdoor only, or indoor-outdoor?
4. What should I feed my cat?, and Can I give my cat ... as a treat?
5. Alternative diets: My cat likes dog food, can she just eat that?, Cats are carnivores, shouldn't they just eat meat?, I'm vegan, and I want my cat to be on a meat-free diet?
6. Cat behavioral problems and solutions
7. The importance of neutering and spaying
8. I want a multi-cat household. How can I adopt a second or third cat that won't fight with my current cat(s)?
9. My cat has fleas, how do I get rid of them? What about natural remedies?
10. What's wrong with declawing? What alternatives are available?
11. I want to donate my time, money, or resources to help kitties. Where are my efforts needed?
12. What plants and flowers may be toxic to my pet?
13. 4 ways that treating your cat like a human can be bad


I will be posting questions & responses as they are as asked, and adding some of the more common issues to this list ASAP. Some of the questions and discussions in this thread will involve high levels of cat care that the average owner is not interested in or cannot practically follow. Don't let it dissuade you from asking questions or getting involved, I want this thread to be accessible to all levels of pet owners!

[DesertRock]

About us

DesertRock: Right now it’s just me here, all alone. By myself. I live in Reno, Nevada, where I’m in University. I’m a pets forum lurker, usually. I have had cats my whole life (except for a few years there where I had hamsters), and I adopted two kitties a year ago:

Max (foreground) is 9 years old, male. He's recovered from severe kitty depression after his time in the shelter, and likes to climb under my covers to get chin tickles every morning.

Bunny (background - also in intro header) is 7 years old, female. She’s a talker, soft as hell, and loves kneading my fur blankets to death.

[DesertRock]

Funny Cat-Related Stuff

Cat vs. Rabbit (youtube)
Classic: when cats attack! (youtube)
Simon's Cat (youtube)

[DesertRock]

Kitteh Spotlight

First kitty posts!

papershelf i c i c l e s's kitties Archimedes and Lola



Stari_08's kitties Taz & Daisy



R a i n b o w y - B a r f's kitties!

[DesertRock]

- reserved -

[DesertRock]

~le open!

[Ukraine-hetalia]

i prefer hyper active cats heart

[DesertRock]

I want a pet cat. Is it appropriate for my lifestyle?
It depends. How much time do you spend at home? How much of your time at home would be spent attending to your cat's needs? I can't cite an exact number for them amount of time you should spend with your cats, as some tend to be more independent while others are needier. Also, outdoor cats are able to entertain themselves if you are gone at work or school for most of the day. Indoor cats, if bored or neglected, are more likely to develop behavioral problems like urinating on the floor.

A lot of cats don't like loud and busy households, so it wouldn't be appropriate to get a cat if you hold parties often, or have regular band practice, or something that might disturb a pet.

Do you already have pets? It's a bad idea to mix cats with small (edible) pets like hamsters, and it can be difficult to mix cats and dogs if they aren't introduced at a young age. Large dogs can also harm or even kill cats unintentionally when they think they are playing.

Can you afford to own a cat? You can usually adopt a cat for $0-$50, but there are a lot of costs outside of adoption. Good quality cat food can cost around $20 for a bag, plus you should have a litter box, litter, food and water dishes, a grooming brush, treats and medicine (for fleas, worms, hairballs, etc.), toys, etc. Your cat should also have regular check-ups at the vet. Surgical procedures like teeth cleaning and treating cysts can be common in cats, and will add up. In my first year of owning Bunny the Cat, she had to go to the vet four times, for a total of about $1000 work.

And, finally, does your landlord allow pets? Many pet-owners can get away with hiding a pet from their landlord, but unfortunately if you get caught some landlords will demand you surrender the animal or move out. Some landlords (or occasionally, cranky neighbors) will even kidnap your cat and surrender it to a shelter.


How and where can I get a cat?
Check craigslist and local advertisements for cats and kittens. You should not pay for an animal if it has not been neutered/spayed or taken to the vet and given shots. Avoid anything that appears to be a kitten farm. In my personal opinion, you should not adopt from pet stores, since they usually get their kittens from kitten-farms. Some pet stores do have rescued animals available for adoption though.

Go to your local animal shelters. This is a great option for meeting a lot of different animals, and being able to interact with them. Don't just pick the cutest animal, try to find an animal with a personality that you like too, and an animal that suits your household! For this reason, I recommend that people adopt adult cats; it's easier to tell what they are like, plus they are often already litter-trained. Do research to determine what traits you want in a cat, it will help you narrow down candidates to, say, female domestic breed in 1-3 year age range. We are currently entering kitten season, which means many shelters will be overwhelmed. Some will have to euthanize healthy animals, while others will be offering adoption deals. Adopt a kitty who needs a home!

There's nothing wrong with getting a cat from a breeder as long as the breeder is responsible. A responsible breeder will aim to produce healthy animals, will have kittens evaluated by a vet and given shots, and will be able to tell you something about the genetic problems related to your breed. A breeder is a great choice if you are looking for a particular breed like a Maine Coon or Cornish Rex, but you should always check local shelters as well - they occasionally get purebreds too!

[DesertRock]

Ukraine-hetalia

i prefer hyper active cats heart

Yay, first visitor! I like my cats like I like my men: middle-aged and fuzzy. No, wait... sweatdrop

[DesertRock]

I just got a new cat, what do I do?

First of all, do you have food for your cat? You should probably have that. The food will have instructions for how much to feed according to your cat's weight. Also get toys, treats, and set up a litter box. Introduce the cat to its litter box early on: just pick it up and set it in the box once, and they'll remember. If they do not use the box, there is a reason. Are they litter trained? Scented litter can turn some cats off. Other times the cat might not care for the size, shape, or location of the box.

Second, has your cat been assessed by a vet? If you got it from an animal shelter, they generally have an on-site vet that looks at incoming animals. The shelter will inform you if the animal has been fixed, and if it is up-to-date on shots. I'd advise against stressing your cat by taking it to the vet right away, but it is good to establish a relationship with your local vet early on.

When he/she first comes home, many people advise that you keep your cat restricted to one room of your house for a day so it can get settled a bit and used to the new smells and sounds. Don't be surprised if your new cat hides for hours or even days. It can take around three months for a cat to adjust to its new home, so be patient. During the first three months, the cat may have stress-related problems like excessive shedding or constipation. Again, be patient.

If this is going to be an indoor-outdoor cat, do not let it outside until it is fully acclimated (one week to a month) & then try to work in stages: the first time, let it out on the porch and when it tries to wander outside of your yard, shake some treats and bring it back inside. You might also be able to take the cat out on a leash/harness, but some cats hate the leash.

There are a lot of websites that explain this, check the links if you want more detailed information: If you already have a cat, keep the two separated for at least 24 hours (both should have access to food, water, and a litter box). Let them smell each other through the door, it will help decrease aggression. Moderate their interaction when they do meet, don't let them fight. Try to eliminate any potential source of conflict: they should have separate bowls for food and water, separate litter boxes in different parts of the house (they can be territorial, one may prevent the other from using the box), and there should be multiple blankets and kitty beds for them to sleep on.

[DesertRock]

Is it better for my cat to be indoor-only, outdoor-only, or indoor-outdoor?

A lot of people in this forum agree on indoor-only. Here is some information to help you make an educated decision:

- Outdoor cats are more susceptible to predators. Depending on where you live, this may include mountain lions, coyotes, wolves, birds of prey, wild dogs (or domestic dogs), and humans. Know your neighbors! Some people don't like cats roaming in their yard and will shoot them or set their dogs on them. Other humans think it's okay to use cats as target practice.
- Outdoor cats may be hit by cars. Don't assume that your cat knows to stay away from roads. This isn't just a problem in urban areas, people often speed on roads in rural areas. And, again, some people are asshats who amuse themselves by running over small animals.
- Outdoor cats are more likely to get injured or catch diseases. They can get stuck in places, they can fall off of things, they can end up with sharp items in their paws. If they get in cat fights they can end up with infections, cysts, or catch things like FIV (feline AIDs). They also experience general wear-and-tear: things get stuck in their fur, their paws get hard and crack, and sometimes sun exposure can lead to skin cancer.
- Outdoor cats might accidentally be exposed to chemicals like antifreeze or pesticides (this can happen indoors too, if you aren't careful).
- Outdoor cats will occasionally bring home treats like dead/wounded birds and mice.
- If your cat is declawed, it cannot defend itself and should definitely not be an outdoor cat.
- In summary, indoor cats often live longer because of these hazards.


On the other hand:
- Some people consider it cruel to keep cats as indoor-only because they are naturally curious about the outside world. They want to go outside, frolic, and catch birdies, and may become restless or even act out if they are kept inside.
- Indoor cats require more attention to stay fit. Outdoor cats are able to get more exercise and develop muscles compared to indoor cats. This can be remedied by spending more time playing with your indoor cat, and getting them things to climb and play on.
- Sometimes it's not a choice, if you've adopted a local stray or a cat that has been outdoor for most of its life. Forcing it to be indoor-only can be very hard on a cat.

[find a life78]

also give them milk they love it .ishould know i hav a cayt on here