| About internal parasites
'Internal parasites' is a fairly polite way of saying worms. Hookworms, whipworms, roundworms, tapeworms can all infect your cat. In fact, most kittens are born with roundworms and hookworms that are transmitted from their mothers.
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| About toxoplasmosis
Toxoplamosis (tox-oh-plaz-MO-sis) is a disease contracted by humans that's caused by a parasite frequently found in cats. Careless handling of litter is the most frequent cause.
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| Administering medication to cats
Many cats are a lot like children. They're lively, playful, and absolutely hate to take medicine. There are several ways to get around this. Sometimes medication can be hidden inside food, but if it's bad-tasting, your cat might simply refuse to eat it.
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| Caring for an older cat
As time passes, that frisky little kitten that used to scamper all around the house will start to settle down. As more years go by, playtime will decrease as naptime increases.
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| Caring for your cat's teeth
A cat's teeth can develop plaque and tartar just like humans' do. Chewing on dry food or raw bones is usually enough to keep teeth clean naturally, but sometimes a cat's teeth will have to be cleaned.
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| Common cat infections
The standard vaccination package offered by veterinarians will protect your cat against the most common and dangerous infections, like rabies, distemper, and the frighteningly named 'cat plague,' or panleucopenia (pan-loo-kuh-PEE-nee-uh).
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| Grooming your cat
You should decide how much time you're willing to spend grooming your cat before you get it. Short haired cats need very little; long haired breeds need a lot to remove tangles.
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| Identifying skin problems
Your cat probably won't develop a skin problem if you feed it a good diet, brush it frequently, and let it groom itself naturally. Some cats, however, are susceptible to allergies that can cause them to scratch, bite, and lick at themselves constantly.
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| Litter box training
The whole idea behind a litter box is based on a cat's natural instincts. Kitty does its business, then covers it up. If your cat is choosing somewhere other than the litter box, there could be a number of reasons.
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| My cat has fleas
It's possible to have fleas in your home without even having pets. They can jump onto your clothes and hitch a ride inside. Once there, you can be sure that they'll find their way to your cat.
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| Problems with behavior
The same things that people love about cats can cause problem behavior. Cats are curious, which leads them to explore countertops and other places where they're not welcome.
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| Rabies facts
Rabies is a disease caused by a virus found in the saliva of infected animals. Bats, raccoons, foxes, skunks, dogs, or cats are the most frequent carriers.
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| Should I declaw my cat?
Nature gave your cat claws for good reasons. They help it climb and give it a way to defend itself. If you keep your cat indoors, neither of these needs are critical.
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| Should I spay or neuter my cat?
Should you spay or neuter your cat? Unless you have a purebred and plan to breed it, the simple answer is yes. Each year, millions of dogs and cats are destroyed because there just aren't enough homes for them.
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| Taking care of eyes and ears
Whenever you groom your cat, be sure and check its eyes and ears. Some long-haired cats often need help clearing out kitty sleep from the corners of their eyes.
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| Travelling with your cat
There's no way to know whether or not your cat likes riding in a car until you try it. Some of them enjoy it, others don't. Before you decide to take it on a long trip, see how it reacts to short ones.
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| What about feline leukemia?
If your cat gets all its shots regularly, feline leukemia should never be a problem. Along with rabies and distemper, it's part of the standard shots given during vaccination.
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| What shots does my cat need?
Because medical terms aren't really meaningful to most people, veterinarians usually abbreviate. A new kitten will receive what's called an F-R-C-P shot, as well as another for rabies.
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| Which cat should I choose?
There are about 40 recognized breeds of cats, which account for only four percent of the cat population. The rest are mixed-breed. If you're planning on entering your cat in shows or other competitions, expect to pay several hundred dollars for a purebred.
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