Cats

Cats are popular as pets because they respond positively to our attention and affection. Since cats are predatory animals that hunt alone, it was previously believed that they were not social. However cats left to their own devices do share territory and build long lasting relationships with other cats. When cats are kept as pets, they become attached to their human friends and can be taught to come to a call or wear a leash, contrary to popular assumption. Additionally, cats are particular about their elimination habits. This makes training them to use a litter box indoors very easy.

Cats in the wild are efficient hunters which means they are accustomed to spending much of the day relaxing, usually in a sunny, elevated spot. This suits them for life with companions that will be at work all day. Cats can live to 20 years of age if they eat a balanced cat food and are protected from cars, animals, and unfriendly neighbors. As predators, cats have specific dietary needs so they can't be vegetarians. They develop heart and urinary tract problems if they do not eat a balanced commercial cat food. If your landlord and family members approve of getting a cat and you know how much it will cost to care for a cat, you are on your way to providing a perfect home for a feline companion.

SHOULD YOU GET A KITTEN?
If you can spend plenty of time entertaining and protecting a growing kitten, you may enjoy watching your kitten grow into an adult. Kittens can climb brick walls and Christmas trees. They will swallow string and foil. Kittens require monthly vet care until they are about 6 months old. You should keep young kittens in one room with a litter pan and scratching post for several days to help establish proper litter box behavior.

WHAT ABOUT A PUREBRED?
You can show a neutered or mixed breed cat at a cat show. However, cat shows are traditionally held to select breeding stock by awarding titles that increase the value of a cat's offspring. If you want to enjoy the hobby of showing and breeding, you will want a purebred cat. A purebred cat usually has a birth certificate called his "papers". These papers are copies of a cat family tree kept by a breeder's association. They certify that the owner of the kitten's mother knew who the kitten's father was and that is all. Papers don't guarantee that your cat will be pretty, friendly, or even healthy.

There are over 300 types of cats bred for specific appearance. Cats of one breed are all related to each other. Breeding related cats makes it possible to have more family traits, both good and bad, appear in a greater number of kittens. Breeders use genetic probability to produce kittens that will win awards at cat shows based on thier appearance. Breeders producing kittens that also make good pets are the best source of purebred cats.

If you want to know what your kitten will look like when he grows up you may want a purebred kitten. If you are allergic to some cats you may need to get a breed you know will not aggravate your condition.

HEALTH CARE
Cats should have a physical examination by a veterinarian when you first bring them home. Annual checkups allow your vet to keep statistics on your cat to better help your cat when he is sick or injured. Good health is also aided with prevention which will come from regular vaccinations and early detection of problems.

Your vet will probably recommend neutering your cat. Neutering a cat will prevent several health problems for both male and female cats. It also reduces behavior problems common in intact cats. In a time of readily available pet cats, neutering your cat is a responsible decision.

DECLAWING

Declawing a cat is controversial. Cats exercise and mark territory by digging their claws into fabric or wood. Most cats can be taught to use a scratching post if one is offered in a prominent location and made attractive. If the cat is supervised for the first few weeks in a new home, any scratching behavior on valuable belongings can be discouraged by making a loud sound or quick movement toward the cat. Some people have good luck using a squirt gun to keep cats from scratching.

The declaw procedure is a tiny surgery on each toe so that the part of the toe that contains the toe nail is amputated. Young cats certainly heal more quickly after surgery and there is some advantage to having the kitten declawed at the same time he is neutered. However, there is no reason to declaw a normal cat that is still capable of learning proper household behavior. Your vet will give you advice about whether this procedure is necessary for your cat.