CATS - R - US

This is the advice sheet we used to give out to new owners but it can help anyone who has just acquired a cat or kitten, remember this is all just very simple advice and if you encounter specific problems you should always ask for guidance from your local rescue centre or vet.

Please think carefully before acquiring a Cat and remember it is for life, you need to be responsible for it for the next fifteen-year or more .

It is not easy to manage young humans and animals, but when parents find solutions, rather than dispose of an animal for convenience sake, an important concept is communicated to the child. This is alive. This is valuable. You don't throw it away."

-Marinell Harriman,

This information sheet is designed to help you and your new cat/kitten to settle down together. What you must remember is that some of these felines have been nursed back to health and there may be a few teething problems, but patience and tolerance will soon pay of and you will have a lovely pet.

YOUR CATS NEW HOME

The most important thing to remember is never to let your Cat out of your home for the first four weeks at least.

This gives your cat time to become accustomed to its new home.

A Kitten under the age of six months should never be allowed out unsupervised.

By giving in to your Cats pleas for freedom you may be adding to the stray population.

 SETTLING IN

You must allow the Cat/Kitten to inspect his new home at his leisure. Try not to force him you may frighten him and this could cause set backs. It wouldn't be fair to leave him on his own in a strange house so try to stay with him. New surroundings are daunting enough without being passed around all the family for a cuddle. Please don't treat him like a toy give him time and space to settle in.

A Kitten will miss his mother and litter mates he will settle better if he has a warm bed away from draughts etc.and a cuddly toy for company.

TOILET TRAINING

Cats are usually very clean animals and Kittens should automatically always use a litter tray.

By providing a litter tray filled with clean cat litter and by keeping it in the same place all the time [This should be somewhere draft free and easily accessible to your Kitten] once your Kitten finds his way around there should be no problem.

Remember it is no use placing a tray one place and allowing the Kitten the run of the house if he is upstairs and the tray downstairs he may not make it in time.

If accidents do happen how you clean them up is crucial as so many cleaners mask the smell to humans but not the Cat the only way to make sure the smell is not still there for him is to clean with a solution of biological washing liquid dry thoroughly then spray with Surgical Spirit this kills the bacteria that causes the smell other cleaners to the Cat just smell like another Cat and will make him go back to the same spot to reinforce his territory

NEVER SMACK OR CHASTISE A KITTEN AS HE WILL NOT UNDERSTAND AND WILL ONLY BECOME FRIGHTENED OF YOU.

 HEALTH CARE

To stay well your Cat will need regular vaccination against Cat Flu Feline Enteritis and Feline Leukaemia. He should receive yearly boosters against these deadly viruses.

Periodic worming and flea treatment should also be carried out as these parasites can make your cat very uncomfortable.

Ear mites can also cause discomfort but are easily treated with drops from your vet regularly check inside your Cats ears.

Older Cats can suffer from tartar on their teeth to prevent this check your Cats teeth regularly and if you find decay a trip to the vets is in order.

Never pick up your Cat by the scruff of the neck as this can cause muscle damage. If you need to restrain your Cat you may grip the scruff but his body weight should always be supported.

Always be gentle particularly with Kittens as they are easily injured.

Every Year thousands of Cats and Kittens are destroyed because nobody wants them and the Rescue centres can't take them all.

FEEDING

If you have adopted a Kitten you have to be very careful not to upset his delicate digestion and we would always advise you to feed him on what he is used to, at C.R.U. we always feed IAMS or EUKANUBA these are good quality dried foods and are well digested so there is less waste in the litter tray.

Kittens are prone to loose motions and once a tummy is inflamed it can take a long time to settle down so it is crucial you feed a good quality food there are many other premium foods all of which are only available from good Pet Stores the initial cost may seem expensive but they last longer than tins and you save on Cat litter, rescue Cats have often not had a decent diet before coming into C.R.U. care so they benefit greatly by being kept on a good quality food, Fresh Water should be available at all times. Never give a Cat or Kitten cows milk as they can not digest this and will get Diarrhoea.

 PLAYTIME

Cats, particularly Kittens love to play.

By providing toys such as Cat nip mice etc. he is sure to be kept busy and not be bored .

A scratching post is another good investment as Cats need to stretch and to reinforce territory by scenting with his claws a scratching post will save your furniture from being shredded.

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