Cats For Dummies

Gina Spadafori is the bestselling author of Dogs For Dummies, which received the President's Award from the Dog Writers Association of America. Dr. Lauren Demos is a board certified feline specialist who in 2017 was elected the youngest president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners. Dr. Paul D. Pion is a board certified veterinary cardiologist as well as cofounder, president, and CEO of the Veterinary Information Network, Inc.

• Introduction 1About This Book 2Foolish Assumptions 2Icons Used in This Book 2Beyond the Book 3Where to Go from Here 3Part 1: Starting to Think Cat 5Chapter 1: Together, Forever: A History of Cats and People 7From Humble Beginnings: How Cats Became So Popular 8Some Common Misconceptions about Cats — and the Facts 11“All cats are cold fish” 11“Cats love places, not people” 12“Cats can take care of themselves” 13Can You Have a Cat If You Have Allergies? 14The Indoor versus Outdoor Controversy 15Chapter 2: Kitten or Adult? Boy or Girl? One Cat or More? 19Kitten or Cat: Which Is a Better Choice for You? 20Everyone loves kittens! 20Adult cat considerations 21She-Kitty, He-Kitty: Which One’s Better? 23Let the Fur Fly 24Should You Consider a Pedigreed Cat? 26Characteristics by Breed 28The go-go group 30A touch of the wild 31Longhaired beauties 33The big cats 34Something different 35The unCATegorizables 36The Not-So-Ordinary Everyday Cat 37Chapter 3: Mixes, Markings, and Pedigrees 39What You Need to Know about Shelters 41Animal-control shelters 43Private nonprofit shelters 43Volunteer Rescue-and-Placement Groups 45Breeders: The Reputable, the Ill-Informed, and the Avoid-at-All-Costs 46Finding the elusive “good breeder” 46Shopping at the cat show 47Online shopping 48Spotting the less-than-ideal breeders 49Pet Stores: What about Those Kittens in the Window? 51Your Neighbor’s (Or Coworker’s) Kittens 52Chapter 4: The Wild Ones: Special Cats, Special Considerations 53Help for the Wild Ones 54Finding the solution that isn’t 55Offering a new way of thinking: Trap, Neuter, Release 55But aren’t these cats pests? 56Getting Your Feet Wet: How to Help 58First, do no harm 58Helping the helpers 59Feeding community cats: Help or harm? 60Learning to Care for Community Cats 60Setting up a routine 60Lining up help 61Trapping cats 63Spaying and neutering cats 64Releasing cats 64Housing considerations 65Part 2: Getting Off to a Good Start 69Chapter 5: Choosing a Healthy, Happy Kitten or Cat 71Evaluating the Environment 72Getting a read on a kitty’s history 73Making special considerations 74Choosing a Kitten 75Adopting at the ideal age 75Looking at a litter 76Personality testing your kitten 77Considering the Second-Chance Kitty 80Recognizing Good Health in Kittens and Cats 82The outer cat 82The inner cat 84Taking a Leap of Faith with Your Eyes Open! 85Chapter 6: One Is Never Enough: The Multicat Household 87You’re in Good Company 88Another cat — for your cat 88Another cat — for you 90Adding to the Family 91Understanding territoriality 92Choosing compatible cats 92Caring for More than One Cat 94Litter box strategies 94Cat trees, cubbies, and hiding places 95Feeding time at the cat ranch 96Multicat Medical Concerns 98Parasite problems 98Infectious viral diseases 99Chapter 7: Setting Your Cat up for Success 101Pre-Cat Preparations 102Eliminating household hazards 102Organizing a “safe room” 107Bringing Your New Pet Home 110Hello, Kitty! 112Children 112Other cats 114Dogs 117Other pets 119Chapter 8: Think Like a Cat to Understand a Cat 121Making Sense of Cat Senses 122Smell 122Hearing 124Vision 124Taste 125Touch 125Speaking “Cat” 126Eyes 126Ears 126Tail 127Voice 127Hair and whiskers 128Posture 129Chapter 9: Feline Friendly: From Cat Toys to Catios 133A New Era for Indoor Kitties 134A Cat Can’t Have Enough Toys 135Why toys are even more important to an indoor cat 135With so many choices, go as crazy as you like 135Feline Furnishings Cats Adore 137Why every cat needs a place to scratch 137Perches, catwalks, and shelves 138Turn on the fun 139A Constant Supply of Nibblies 140Finding food is fun 140Going green 140A Whiff of Fresh Air 141Leashes, strollers, and backpacks 142The very best in cat remodels: The catio! 142Some Final Thoughts on Environmental Enrichment 145Someone to play with 145The you factor 146Part 3: Enjoying Life Together 147Chapter 10: Solving Behavior Problems 149Understanding “Bad” Behavior 151Looking at the Root of Unwanted Behavior 152Strategies for Changing Behavior 153Yes, kitty! 154No, kitty! 154Calm kitty 155Fairness 155Attacking Behavior Problems 156Aggression 156Counter-cruising 159Clawing 159Should you consider declawing? 163Noisiness 164Chapter 11: Getting Good Litter Box Behavior 167Defining the Problem 168What’s being done, and where? 169Which cat is the culprit? 171Is Your Cat Sick? 171Use the Box, Kitty! 174Cleanliness is next to catliness 175Offering alternatives 176Discouraging misbehavior 178Stopping Sprayers in Their Tracks 179Retraining through isolation 180Chapter 12: Out and About with Your Cat 183Is Your Cat Up to Travel? 184Health considerations 186Temperament considerations 186Leaving Your Pet Behind 186Prepare for emergencies 187Pet-sitters 188Boarding facilities 189Taking Your Pet with You 190Air travel 192Car travel 195Moving Your Cat to a New Home 195Using a safe room for moving 196Anticipating problems 197Allowing time for readjustment 198Chapter 13: Littering: Should Your Cat Become a Parent? 201The Case Against Breeding 202Spaying and Neutering: What’s Involved? 203The Birds and the Bees, Kitty-Style 205Choosing a mate 206The “oops” pairing 207Caring for a Pregnant Cat 207Happy Birthday, Babies 209Special delivery! 210After the birth 211Kitten Development 212Birth to two weeks 212Two weeks to eight weeks 213Eight weeks to fourteen weeks 214The adolescent kitten 215Saying Good-Bye to the Babies 215Chapter 14: Home Care: Good Grooming and More 219Fur, the Purrfect Complement 220Why Cats Groom 220What’s in It for You? 222Tools of the Trade 223Coat-care tools 224Nail-trim aids 225The Importance of Patience 226Keeping Kitty Coats in Shape 227Combing and brushing 228Cat + water + soap = Oh, my! 229Keeping parasites under control 230Clipping Your Cat’s Claws 236Dental Care 238Chapter 15: Feeding Your Cat 241Convenience at a Price? 242Maintaining the “Perfect” Cat Diet 243Fulfilling Basic Nutritional Needs 244Protein 244Carbohydrates 245Fats 245Vitamins 246Minerals 246Water 247Choosing Foods 248What type? 250When to feed? 251What about veterinarian-prescribed foods? 251Treat your cat! 253Curbing Eating Problems 254The too-much cat 255The finicky kitty 256Part 4: The Basics of Good Health 259Chapter 16: Preventive Healthcare for Your Cat 261Recognizing Signs of Good Health and Bad 262The physical cat 263Vital signs 265The emotional cat 267Choosing a Veterinarian 269Understanding Your Veterinarian’s Role in Preventing Illness 271The not-so-routine exam 271Vaccinations 272Parasite control 274Recognizing Emergencies 276Chapter 17: Common Cat Health Problems 279A Cooperative Approach to Cat Health 280When Does My Cat Need a Specialist? 281Some Common Health Problems 283Abscesses 284Upper respiratory infection 285Difficulty breathing 286Three nasty viruses 287Urinary tract disease 290Kidney diseases 291Diabetes mellitus 293Heart disease 294Tumors 296Giving Your Cat Medication 298Pilling your pet 298Liquid medication 299Ear medication 299Eye medication 300Chapter 18: Caring for an Older Cat 303How Old Is “Old”? 304Normal Signs of Aging 306Decline of the senses 306Changes in appearance 307Behavior changes 307Special Care for Kitty Teeth 309Common Problems 310Hyperthyroidism 310Constipation/Obstipation 313Osteoarthritis 313Home hospice care 314Knowing When It’s “Time” 314Euthanasia options 315Dealing with loss 316Part 5: The Part of Tens 319Chapter 19: Ten Cat Myths Debunked 321Cats Have Nine Lives 321Cats Need to Drink Milk 322Cats Purr Whenever They’re Happy 323Cats Eat Plants If They’re Sick 324Cats Are Dangerous around Babies 325Cats Can Be Kept from Using Their Claws 327A Well-Fed Cat Doesn’t Hunt 327Cat Fur Causes Allergies 328Black Cats Are Bad Luck 329All Calicoes Are Female 330Chapter 20: Ten Cool Cat-Related Places To Visit 331Hemingway House 333The American Museum of the House Cat 333Citywide Cat Celebration 334Purrfectly Pedigreed 334When in Rome, Help the Cats 335The Ultimate Destination for Cat Cafes 335Hello Kitty! 336Snuggle with a Library Cat (While You Still Can) 336No, They Don’t Throw Real Cats Anymore 337Safe Home for Big Cats 337Chapter 21: Ten Common Household Dangers to Your Cat 339Strings and Similar Things 340A Shocking Experience 341The Warm and Deadly Dryer 341Pain Medicines That Kill 342Toxic Plants 343Garage Dangers 344Four-Wheeled Menace 345Towering Danger 345Parasite Products for Dogs 346Chapter 22: Ten Ways to Help Your Cat in a Disaster 347Have a Plan 348Have a Grab-and-Go Disaster Kit 348Get Your Cat ID — and Keep It Current 348Keep Preventive Care Measures and Health Records Current 349Have Restraints Ready 350Keep First-Aid Supplies on Hand — with Directions 350Know the Locations of Nearby Veterinary Hospitals and Other Animal Services 351Keep a “Lost Kitty” Kit Ready 351Corral Your Cat 352Be Prepared to Help Others 352Chapter 23: Ten Nonprofits Worthy of Your Donations 353Winn Feline Foundation 354Alley Cat Allies 354The Jackson Galaxy Project 355Morris Animal Foundation 355Shelter Medicine Programs 356Help with Spay-Neuter 356Cat Sanctuaries 357Big-Box Advocacy 357Veterinary Schools and Colleges 357Local Shelters and Rescue Groups 358Index 359