INTRODUCTION TO CATS
20
Are you ready to own a cat?
Owning a cat might seem like a good idea, but you should give
the idea serious consideration before you buy or adopt one.
Consider if a cat will fit into your lifestyle. It is unfair to a cat
to be left alone for long periods; they may seem independent,
but cats need human companionship. Neglected outdoor cats
may wander off, while indoor cats can become bored and
destructive. It is not a good idea to get a cat if anyone in your
household is allergic to cats or becomes asthmatic around
them. Think carefully too if you have young children since you
will need to spend time teaching them how to handle a cat.
Cats also mean changes to your home; you’ll need to be
able to cope with furnishings covered with cat hair and the
occasional half-eaten bird or mouse. You will also need to
cat-proof your house, keep breakable items out of reach, and
remove potential hazards such as houseplants that can be
poisonous to cats (p.203). You will need to find somewhere to
put your cat’s litter box, and get used to changing it regularly.
Cats can be expensive, and you need to make sure you can
afford to cover the costs. There will be an initial outlay for
your kitten or cat, which can reach hundreds of dollars for
a purebred. Advances in veterinary medicine and better
understanding of a cat’s diet mean that cats now live longer
than they used to, even for as long as 20 years. The cost of
owning a cat can add up to thousands of dollars over the
course of its life. Pet insurance will help cover some
veterinary costs, but probably not vaccinations, neutering,
or dental treatment. You will also need to buy food, bedding,
cat litter, and other accessories on a regular basis. If you go
away, you will need to pay for your cat to stay in a boarding
kennel, or for someone to look after him at your home.
Deciding on a breed
If you would like a purebred cat, make sure you do your
research, so that you know about the breed’s needs and
characteristics. If you are unsure which breed to choose, you
might want to consider size, coat type, and temperament.
Breeds vary in size, between about 9–20 lb (5–9 kg). Big cats
are unlikely to take kindly to an indoor life in a small
apartment. If you want a longhaired breed, you will have to
groom your cat every day, otherwise its fur will become
matted; shorthaired cats generally need much less grooming
(pp.228–31). Temperaments vary between breeds—Asian cats
such as the Siamese and Ocicat tend to be active and vocal,
while heavier-set breeds such as the British Shorthair and
Persian are usually quieter and more laid back.
You should also think about what gender and age of cat will
suit you. Male cats are usually bigger than females and may
be more outgoing, but both make trouble-free pets once
neutered. If you’re worried about housetraining a kitten, you
could buy or rescue an adult cat. Finally, if there are stretches
of the day when no one is at home, you might want to consider
getting two cats, so that they can keep each other company.
THE BEST BREED FOR YOU
Cat breeds come in many different sizes, coat types, and
personalities. Do your research and work out which breeds
will best suit your lifestyle—longhaired cats such as Persians
(above) make beautiful companions but require a lot of grooming.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CAT
Cats make rewarding, lovable pets, but owning one can require
a lot of time and money. If you think you would like to own a cat,
you will need to do some research to make sure you are ready for
the responsibility. If your heart is set on owning a purebred cat, you
will need to make sure you find a reputable breeder, though you
may also be able to find a purebred in a rescue center.
A pet cat can live
for up to 20 years
US_020-023_choosing_cat.indd 20US_020-023_choosing_cat.indd 20 11/02/21 7:00 PM11/02/21 7:00 PM
NEW FAMILY MEMBER
Do plenty of research before you buy
a cat or kitten, especially if you’ve never
owned one before. A cat or kitten is
a wonderful addition to the family, but
can mean big changes in your routine.
US_020-023_choosing_cat.indd 21US_020-023_choosing_cat.indd 21 11/02/21 7:00 PM11/02/21 7:00 PM
INTRODUCTION TO CATS
22
MEETING THE FAMILY
Kittens that have been socialized from an
early age should not be timid or aggressive
when encountering new people.
Finding a breeder
Once you have decided which kind of cat breed you
want, the best place to buy a purebred cat is from a
reputable breeder. You can find cats in newspapers, online,
or in store windows, but generally these vendors should
be avoided because they are not usually cat experts.
It is also inadvisable to buy a kitten from a pet store,
since you will not be sure where the kittens have come
from. Your local vet may be able to recommend a breeder
to you, or you could find breeders from a cat club list,
breed registry list, or at a cat show—many of the people
who show cats also breed them or will be able
to recommend a breeder.
At the breeders, make sure you ask lots of questions, so
that you know you will get a healthy, well-adjusted cat (see
right). The breeder should also ask you questions, to make
sure that you are responsible enough to own a cat and can
afford to look after it. You should research the going rate
for kittens of the breed you would like. A higher cost can
sometimes reflect top quality and better care and attention
How long have you been breeding cats?
Can I have references from your vet and previous customers?
What are the important characteristics of this breed—will the
kitten be “show quality” or “pet quality”?
Does this breed suffer from any inherited diseases, and has the
kitten been screened for them?
How much time will I need to spend grooming?
Has the kitten been socialized—will it be OK to introduce him
to children and other pets?
Will the kitten have been vaccinated and wormed by the time
he’s ready to be picked up?
Have you registered the kitten with a registry, and may I have
the printed pedigree?
Can I have a written contract of sale, outlining both my and
your (the breeder’s) rights and responsibilities, and including an
agreement that the purchase is subject to a vet’s examination
to check the kittens health?
Will I be able to contact you if I need advice after I bring the
kitten home?
10 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK A BREEDER
US_020-023_choosing_cat.indd 22US_020-023_choosing_cat.indd 22 11/02/21 7:00 PM11/02/21 7:00 PM
23
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CAT
put in by the breeder. Some breeders offer “pet quality” as
well as “show quality” kittens. Pet quality cats are just as
healthy as show cats but have minor physical defects for
the breed standard, and should be considerably cheaper
than show quality cats. The breeder may ask you to sign
an agreement not to enter pet quality cats in shows or to
breed from them in order to keep breeding lines “pure.
It is important to meet the litter of kittens before you
decide to buy one of them. A good breeder will let you
observe the kittens and how they interact with their
littermates. You should also meet the mother and check
her health. She will give you an indication of your kitten’s
adult size, appearance, and temperament. The breeder
may also own the father—if so, ask to see him too. The
breeder can also give you an idea of the life span of
the particular breed.
The kitten you choose to take home with you should
appear healthy and alert, with a good muscle tone and
a clean coat free from pests such as fleas. His eyes should
be bright, there should be no discharge from the eyes or
nose, the ears should be free of wax, and the gums should
be pink. Make sure your kitten has been (or will be)
vaccinated, wormed, and screened for any genetic
disorders that are known to occur in the breed. Take any
certificates for these home with you if or when you buy a
kitten. Avoid buying a kitten if it appears ill, if it has been
kept in isolation away from the rest of its litter, if
you think the kittens are being reared in substandard
conditions, or if the breeder doesn’t seem to know
A CAT WITH HISTORY
Many different types of cats
end up in shelters. If you
decide to give a home to a
cat that is elderly or disabled,
the rescue center will
sometimes help you to pay
for its ongoing health care.
much about the breed or
cat health care. If you’re
not happy, you can visit
another breeder. If all
goes well, you should
pick up your inoculated,
housetrained, and
socialized kitten when it
is about 12 weeks old.
Rescue centers
If you would like to give a home to a purebred cat, one
place you may not have thought of looking is in a rescue
center, or shelter, for cats. Usually run on a nonprofit
basis, rescue centers are staffed mostly by volunteers
and funded by private donations and adoption fees.
They take in stray, unwanted, and feral cats and try to
find suitable homes for them.
Purebred cats can show up in rescue centers from time
to time. Generally, these will be the more common breeds
such as the Siamese, Maine Coon, or Persian—you are
less likely to find an unusual breed.
After visiting a rescue center and meeting all the
cats waiting for homes, you may decide to adopt
a mixed breed rather than a purebred cat. More than
95 percent of all domestic cats are mixed breed, and
there are a large number of them housed in rescue
shelters, each deserving of a loving home. Cat rescue
centers are definitely worth investigating, especially if
your preference is for a fully trained adult cat with an
established personality.
If you decide to adopt from a rescue shelter, a
member of staff will visit your home to check that it’s
safe and suitable for a cat, and to make sure that you
will make a good cat owner. You will be charged an
adoption fee, which helps cover vet costs for rescue
cats’ health care, such as inoculations, blood tests,
neutering, and microchipping.
RESCUE CATS
The staff at a rescue center will assess the character
of each cat and can help match you with your perfect
pet; you may even find a purebred cat in need of a home.
US_020-023_choosing_cat.indd 23US_020-023_choosing_cat.indd 23 11/02/21 7:00 PM11/02/21 7:00 PM
US_024-025_opener.indd 24US_024-025_opener.indd 24 11/02/21 7:00 PM11/02/21 7:00 PM
..................Content has been hidden....................

You can't read the all page of ebook, please click here login for view all page.
Reset
44.212.39.149