Cat Fact Sheet
You are about to begin a long and rewarding relationship with a fascinating animal. If you haven't had a cat around for awhile, there may be a few things about cats that you may have forgotten. For example:
Neutering
Unneutered male cats "mark" their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine on walls, trees, furniture, etc. Female cats who are not spayed, besides producing thousands of unwanted kittens every year, have heat cycles which attract noisy and combative "suitors". These annoying problems can be eliminated by a simple and inexpensive veterinary operation called a "spay" surgery.
Diet
Cat food for cats. Dog food for dogs. And people food for people. A cat's dietary needs are very specific. Failure to get certain nutrients can cause digestive disorders, hair loss, and even death. Read labels carefully on the packaged foods you buy for your pet, and always consult your veterinarian with any questions. Too much food could lead to an overweight cat, so watch the quantity of food your cat eats. Remember, dog food and tables scraps, while tasty, do not contain proper nutrition to keep your cat healthy.
Grooming
Cats groom themselves by licking their fur. This can cause ingested hair to form hair balls in the cat's digestive tract. Daily brushing helps remove excess hair, while improving its looks and its relationship with you.
Declawing
Declawing a cat is a very painful procedure. It removes a cat's natural defense, its climbing ability. It can also drastically injure the nerve and muscle tissue in its paws, causing constant pain or tingling. Declawing a cat can also cause behavior changes, as the cat will try to compensate for lack of defenses by hiding or even biting. Most cats can be taught where it is appropriate to scratch. Regular trimming of its claws, and the availability of a scratching post should save your furniture.
Disease
Cats need vaccinations for good preventive health care. Consult your veterinarian for the schedule of vaccinations he recommends for your pet. Both cats and dogs in Florida are required to have a current rabies vaccination. Cats also need a vaccination that prevents feline distemper and a combination of other diseases. There is also is a test and vaccine for feline leukemia. This is a deadly feline disease. Your cat needs regular veterinary checkups and deworming. The fewer internal and external parasites you cat has the less likely you are to have frequent health problems with your cat.
Kittens
Kittens often need special care for their first few weeks in a new home. If you are away from home all day, consider getting a playmate for your kitten and make sure he's old enough to be alone for several hours without you. His litter box, food and water should all be nearby and available at all times. You'll probably want to confine him to one room and gradually increase his territory in your home as he grows. He will also need canned food several times a day in addition to dry kitten food.
Every cat and kitten is a little different, so you will probably have a few questions for your veterinarian. Feel free to talk to the TLC Animal Service Center staff and volunteers about concerns you may have about your cat's behavior.