More than 45 million or 35 % of households in the United States own at least one cat(1).
Cats are unique creatures.
Like most people, you may also have observed that cats can manifest both aloofness and affection. Understanding cats may sometimes prove to be quite a challenging task.
Cats are typically easy to please. On the other hand, cats can also get picky.
More often than not, cats are a mystery. It is up to pet owners to read the cats’ behavior as their caregivers.
Even though cats appear to be able to read humans’ minds, it is challenging to read theirs. Lack of understanding could pose a problem to cat owners when their pet exhibits symptoms of bad health that are typically unknown to the public.
Advancement in veterinary medicine has enabled animal doctors to provide better treatment for various cat conditions.
Some professionals may even recommend using alternative remedies such as essential oils and cannabidiol oil (CBD oil) for cats. Click here for more information. However, knowing the signs of good health in cats to prevent possible health problems is a more responsible approach to cat ownership.
It is vital to learn your cat’s normal physical condition and behavior from the beginning to recognize excellent health and promptly notice any signs of disease.
Typically, a healthy cat has bright eyes, a sleek coat, and an alert demeanor. Healthy cats also eat eagerly, groom themselves properly, and socialize with their owners(2).
One of the most crucial factors in selecting a healthy cat is the cat’s personality. You can tell a lot about character, even in kittens(3).
Below are some critical pointers you can consider in determining whether your cat is in good health.
It is natural for a cat to be timid at first. However, as the cat grows on you, its personality will develop.
Generally speaking, whether your cat is naturally outgoing or more reserved, it should appear active and cheerful(4).
You can take note of the cat’s movements (swift or relaxed) and sounds (meowing, chirruping). Also, observe how the cat interacts with you and your family.
The cat should grow to trust you and be pleased to see you, especially once he realizes that you are the one who provides the food.
In addition to the suggestions above, consider how your cat eats and drinks. It should have a strong appetite and be able to eat without difficulty.
Cats prefer to eat frequently and in small amounts.
Cats will drink a lot of water because they obtain most of their moisture from food. It may not drink as much as they consume, but it may drink more if fed only dry food.
Clean your cat’s litter tray many times a day if it uses one. You can learn how frequently your cat regularly defecates and urinates.
Keep an eye out for strange behaviors such as licking a specific body region excessively, pawing the face, or shaking the head.
These behaviors could indicate a wound, parasite infection, or anything lodged in the skin or coat.
Aside from the cat’s behavior, you can also check its appearance to know more about its health.
Some physical signs that may indicate a cat is in good health include:
Final Notes on Cat Wellness
Even in old age, healthy cats are often playful. They also maintain a beautiful silky coat.
Healthy cats’ eyes are bright and open wide with no discharge.
Cats should use the litter box properly, have a firm stool, and urinate frequently. They should drink plenty of water and eat their food with gusto.
Cats’ body temperatures should be approximately 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Their gums should be pink, and they should have no tartar on their teeth.
Cats also require more routine health care. Healthcare routine may include vaccines, viral and fecal testing, and spaying or neutering.
Raise any questions about your cat’s health when you see your veterinarian. Keep in mind the pointers above to help you choose which irregularities you should discuss with your veterinarian.
You can grow a healthy cat and live in harmony with them if you understand their basic needs.
Cats communicate with each other by scent. To introduce two cats, start by “swapping” scents. Be patient, and give this process a few days!
The time it takes to accept each other’s scent varies. With social cats or kittens, it can take a few hours. With less social cats, it can take a few weeks. Patience is key!
Once they are completely tolerant of each other’s scent, it’s time to move to visual contact.
Let your cats see each other, but keep them separate. Ideally, use a glass door, a screen door,
or a baby gate (with the access above the gate blocked).
If none of these are available, open the door of your new cat’s room just enough so the cats are able to see each other, sniff each other and touch noses but not go through. Secure it with a hook or a small nail and a rope.
It’s time to open the door and let the cats explore each other’s territory. Just for safety, keep a jingly item (such as a set of keys) that you can throw on the floor to distract them should they get into a little spat. If you’ve followed the steps so far, your cats will probably be fine.
Don’t worry if the cats ignore each other. Don’t pick them up and force them to interact. Remember, cats resolve personality conflicts by increasing space between each other. Give them the freedom to do this.
So that both cats feel comfortable, make sure there are at least two options for escaping contact with the other cat such as somewhere to jump to, or a doorway to exit through.
Some cats are friends, playing together or grooming each other. Others ignore each other. Whatever works for your cats is fine. Cats actually enjoy watching other cats. Even if they don’t seem to interact, they are making each other’s life more interesting simply by being around.
Unless your cats freely choose to use the same litter box and eat out of the same bowl, be sure to provide each cat with a litter box, separate beds, hiding and perching areas and food and water bowls.
Bullying between cats can sometimes be very subtle. A cat may bully another by denying them access to resources. For example, one cat may sit near the food bowl and hiss or swat at the other cat when they approach. Or one cat may simply stare at the other.
If one cat feels intimidated, they will avoid areas protected by the other. They will also flatten their body and move slowly from place to place to avoid arousing the bully cat.
Be sure the bullied cat has their own space where they access a litter box, food, water and bedding without being bullied. Consider arranging furniture so that the bullied cat has multiple escape routes and hiding areas to avoid contact with the bully.
Let the cats develop their own patterns to avoid contact. Many cats live fine together even if they’re not the best of friends. However, if you do see signs of bullying, observe the bullied cat for signs of stress-related illness or behaviour problems (such as peeing/pooping outside the litter box).
Don’t punish the bully, though! If you see signs of bullying, go back a few steps to scent-swapping, and try again.
Purchasing Feliway, a cat appeasing pheromone sold as both a plugin diffuser and as a spray, can help. The spray can be applied to cat beds, perching areas and furniture.
The good news is that just like you and me, when a cat has a respiratory infection, they will usually get over it in a few days with no treatment. Some cats sneeze a little, while others develop more severe symptoms and become depressed, run a fever and even stop eating before they get well. Occasionally, cats develop bacterial infections (green or yellow discharge from the eyes or nose), which can be a little gross, but can usually be taken care of with antibiotics.
We make every effort to keep our cats healthy and free from disease, but we do currently have a high incident rate. We test all cats for feline leukemia and deworm and vaccinate them. We keep their environment as clean and stress-free as possible. Despite our best efforts, however, most cats develop colds in the shelter. This problem in not unique to our shelter; in fact, colds (also known as “kitty cold”/ UR I/upper respiratory infections) represent the single largest infectious disease in shelters nationwide.
We do not believe a cat should be euthanized just because of this. Instead, we try to nurse the cats through their sickness. We hope that you understand and will help us care for these cats and kittens. It would be a shame not to offer them up for adoption simply because they are ill. Just as in people, respiratory illnesses are not usually life-threatening.
For kitties with respiratory illnesses, the best medicine is rest, TLC and time. Never give a cat Tylenol or other “people medications” – they are toxic to cats. Keep runny noses and eyes clean from discharge by wiping with a clean warm wet cloth. Feed your cat smelly, moist cat food; cats with a stuffy nose may not eat because they cannot smell. A moist food with a strong fishy smell often stimulates the appetite and is easy on sore throats. Most importantly, follow the advice of your veterinarian.
Feline upper respiratory disease is an umbrella term for any number of viral and bacterial infections that cause sneezing, nasal discharge, runny/swollen eyes, couch, oral or nasal ulcers, chronic gingivitis, sniffles and fever, or any combination of these symptoms.
All of the possible agents that cause upper respiratory infection are highly contagious, meaning they are spread easily from cat to cat. The disease spreads similar to the common cold in the human world. It can be caught through direct or indirect contact. The viruses can live on things such as food bowls, bedding, and toys for weeks, making it very easy to spread from sick to healthy cats. People who come into contact with sick cats (i.e., veterinary professionals, shelter staff or animal control officers) can also easily spread the disease on to their own cats through contact with their clothing, shoes and hands.
A high percentage of cats are exposed at a young age (as kittens) and may harbour these infections for life, but never show symptoms. It is also important to note that cats can be contagious, even if they are not showing symptoms. Cats that are at higher risk for infection are those that come into contact with many other cats in a shelter, boarding facility or pet store, those that go outside, or cats whose vaccinations are not up to date.
Your new cat will have had at least one vaccine given by shelter staff called FVRCP which will vaccinate him/her against feline viral rhinotracheitis (aka herpes virus) and calicivirus, the two most common causes of feline upper respiratory infections. The vaccine also provides protection from Panleukopenia, commonly called feline distemper. This vaccine should be given twice to adult cats and three times to kittens, each vaccine is given 3-4 weeks apart, and then every 1-3years afterwards (depending on what brand of vaccine is used).
The vaccine will help your cat’s immune system fight off infection with the two most common causes of URI. However, it cannot be guaranteed that he/she did not have a URI prior to arriving at the shelter that may flair up later in life. Also, there are many other agents that can cause infection that your cat can still be vulnerable to.
Your veterinarian will tell you when this vaccine needs to be repeated with a booster shot, as well as when other vaccines (rabies virus and feline leukemia) are due. All cats should be kept current with their vaccines.
Just as important as vaccination is helping support your cat’s immune system. If your cat has a healthy, strong immune system he/she will be better equipped to fight off any infections – new or old. During your first vet visit with your new cat, you should discuss a supplement called L-lysine. L-lysine has been proven to reduce the severity of URI and prevent future flair ups, especially when caused by the herpes virus. It is good to provide this supplement for the first month-6 weeks as the move to a new home can be quite stressful and cause reoccurrence. Lastly, ensuring your cat eats a high-quality diet will help keep their immune system working well.
Most URI will clear on their own, but sometimes it can be serious. You should consult your veterinarian immediately if your cat shows any URI signs and one or more of the following indicators:
Your kitten’s first year is their most important one! Your new little bundle of joy is learning everything about the world and finding their place in it right now, as well as going through a lot of physical changes as they grow big and strong. During your first few weeks together, you and your kitten will form a bond that will set the pace for all future interactions. We want to have the best relationship possible with our cats, but if you’ve chosen a kitten, you must be the one to help kitten lay the bricks when building their personality. A keen understanding of why kittens do certain things will help you keep your kitten on the right track to be a confident, well-adjusted cat, so let’s read on!
This is the time when your kitten is developing their social skills. Kittens figure out what’s right and wrong by observing their mother, through play with other cats, or by interacting with their human families. In a one-cat household, your new kitten will not have the option to test boundaries, play, and observe other cats to learn these essential skills, so it’s on you! This is a really fun, exciting time to own a cat – kittens are little goofballs who want to jump, pounce, run, and stalk anything that moves. Kittens at this age enjoy games of hide and seek, so get out your paper bags and boxes, a few wand toys, and get to work! Your kitten is developing their motor skills right now, so lots of interactive playtime where they get to catch “prey” will be a wonderful lesson indeed.
Somewhere around four months, your kitten may start losing their baby teeth as their adult teeth develop. Their gums may be painful, so this would be an excellent time to start a dental care routine. Plastic drinking straws are a proven teething aid and make for great interactive play with your kitten. Kittens will start establishing their place in the “social ranking order” of your house during this time. It is not unusual to see a kitten challenge the alpha cat, which usually will earn the hapless youngster a scratch on the nose. Other cats, depending on their own social position and personalities, may defer to the kitten. Your kitten is still growing during this time, and it is not unusual to see a previously plump fluff of a kitten suddenly grow long and lanky before filling out again. Kittens should continue to eat kitten food during this phase of growth – they need the additional nutrients for strong bones, healthy teeth and supple muscles.
By now, your kitten is starting to show the physical and social traits of a fully-grown cat. By the age of 12 months, they will have attained the equivalent physical growth as a 15-year-old human teenager and will undoubtedly start showing some of the same personality attributes of that age. Don’t take it personally if your kitten doesn’t
seem as responsive to you as they did when they were teeny. Like a human teenager, they are testing the waters of adulthood to see what it feels like. They’re also playing a “dominance” game with you, just as they might with another cat or kitten. Be patient with them and give your kitten all the affection and love they will take – on their terms, not yours! They’ll come around after they’re out of this awkward middle stage! Your feline youngster will continue to grow and develop for another year before blossoming into an adorable little adult.
Is your cat bouncing off the walls, scratching furniture, vocalizing throughout the night, counter surfing or door dashing? Chances are, your cat is just bored!
In the wild, cats have a natural cycle of hunt, eat, groom and sleep. They aren’t always successful when capturing prey which means they spend a lot of time hunting for food. As a companion animal, cats don’t require the hunting behaviour to get a meal which can sometimes lead to less than desirable behaviours and boredom.
So how can we offer some excitement in their lives and curb unwanted behaviours?
While some cats enjoy playing on their own with a toy mouse or ball that rattles, other cats may enjoy the hunting side of play that is better offered using interactive toys like long wands with string or feathers on the end. These toys will allow you to move it as though it’s prey – like a mouse on the floor or a bird flying through the air!
Rather than just waving the wand in the cat’s face or aggressively whipping it in the air, move the wand like prey would move. This could include:
These are all ideas on how to pique your cat’s interest in the toy. Once they are interested, make it challenging for them to catch it, but also give them the satisfaction of catching the toy periodically so they don’t lose interest. You may be surprised at how good of a hunter your cat is, and how enthusiastic they become during playtime! Try playing with your cat once or twice a day to the point of exhaustion or loss of interest and rewarding them with their favourite treat or affection afterwards. You can also schedule playtime before they are scheduled to get their food.
Puzzle feeders require the cat to work to get the food. This can help with cats that are overweight or cats that devour their food quickly. There are a variety of puzzle feeders available, including balls that your cat must bat to get the kibble out of or that they have to reach in and scoop food out of.
There are also several DIY ideas for making mealtime exciting, including hiding treats or kibble in paper bags or egg cartons. For cats that have never used these before, you may want to start out with just using their favourite or a very strong-smelling treat to increase the incentive of working towards getting the food. Once they’ve gotten used to the concept you can begin feeding them strictly through these methods.
Sunlight, birds, squirrels…what’s not to love about having a nice cozy seat next to the window? Just by placing a shelf, bed or cat tree near a window, you can give the cat its own live entertainment while they get some Vitamin D! You can even hang a bird feeder right outside to guarantee some action.
Scratching behaviour serves multiple purposes for cats, including visual marking, stretching, maintaining the claws, and scent marking through glands on their paws. Offer plenty of places for your cat to scratch to help alleviate stress and tension.
Clicker training is more often associated with dogs. However, any animal can learn quickly through this method of reward-based training. Teach your cat to sit, shake a paw, high five or even some agility work. www.clickertraining.com has all the information you need to get started. Clicker training has multiple benefits, including providing mental stimulation for your cat, strengthening your bond, and helping you and your cat perfect some potentially entertaining tricks for you to show off to guests.
Growing up with a cat can be great fun, but it’s important to make sure that every member of your household understands the rules and responsibilities that come with cat companionship. Before adopting a cat, have a chat with your little ones to make sure they understand that your new feline is a friend and family member, not a toy, and that sometimes they need their space just like we do.
If you’re considering adding a new kitten to your life and have young kids at home, it’s important to consider the amount of time you will have to care for the kitten as well as supervise. Kittens are babies who need your constant attention. Kittens are also fragile and may easily be injured by a well-intentioned child who wants to hug or pull at their ears and tail. You may want to consider an adult cat that isn’t skittish or fearful. Adult cats require less supervision and have already developed boundaries to some extent Some cats dislike having certain parts of their bodies touched, the volume of noise that comes along with having kids in the home, being picked up, etc. With an adult cat, you know what you’re getting. They sometimes even come with an owner history! If you are unsure that your child will be able to resist picking up your new cat, you should make sure that you choose a cat that enjoys being held.
The primary caretaker of your new cat will (and should!) be you or another responsible adult in the home. You’ll make sure that your cat’s basic needs are met. Let your child help in ways that are age appropriate. If you have a preschooler, maybe they can help dish up food. An older child may be able to handle tasks like daily brushing. Begin by setting up both your cat and your child for success. Demonstrate to your child how to politely interact with your cat by following this simple guide:
Begin by setting up both your cat and your child for success. Demonstrate to your child how to politely interact with your cat by following this simple guide:
The key to a successful cat-dog introduction is to expose them to one another gradually under controlled conditions. You may want to avoid creating situations where the cat runs away, and the dog’s prey-chase instinct is activated. If your dog has previously lived with a cat, and your new cat has previously had positive experiences with dogs, they may progress quickly to tolerating one another. However, if you have an adult dog that has never been around cats before, the introduction should be a very gradual process lasting up to 30 days. In either case, train your dog to sit and stay reliably before bringing your new cat home. This may give you somewhat greater control once the introductions have been made. Remember that these steps are progressive, so go on to the next step only when you feel your dog and cat have “mastered” the previous one.
Play-motivated aggressive behaviours are common in young, active cats less than two years old, and in cats that live in one-cat households. Playtime for cats is a time to work on exploratory, investigative, and predatory behaviours. Play provides young cats with opportunities to practice the skills they would normally need for survival. Kittens like to explore new areas and investigate anything that moves, and may bat at, pounce on, and bite objects that resemble prey to them.
Kittens usually learn bite inhibition (how hard to bite during play versus how hard to bite when they feel threatened) from their littermates and their mother. A kitten that is separated from her family too early may play more roughly than a kitten that has had more valuable family time. If you play with a young kitten using your hands or feet instead of toys, the kitten is liable to learn that rough play with people is okay. In most cases, it’s possible to teach your kitten or young adult cat that rough play isn’t acceptable behaviour.
Redirect your kitten’s aggressive behaviour onto acceptable objects like toys. Drag a toy along the floor to encourage your kitten to pounce on it or throw a toy away from your kitten to give her even more exercise chasing the toy down. Some kittens will even bring the toy back to be thrown again! Another good toy for a kitten is one that they can wrestle with, like a soft stuffed toy that’s about the size of your kitten. They will be able to grab it with both front feet, bite it, and kick it with their back feet. This is one of the natural ways kittens play with each other, especially when they’re young. It is also one of the ways they try to play with human feet and hands, so it’s important to provide this type of alternative play target. Encourage play with a “wrestling toy” by rubbing it against your kitten’s belly when they want to play rough – but be sure to get your hand out of the way as soon as they accept the toy!
Since kittens need a lot of playtime, try to set up three or four consistent times during the day to initiate play with your kitten. This will help her understand that she doesn’t have to be the one to initiate play by pouncing on you. Here are some great cat toys for interactive or independent play:
You need to set the rules for your kitten’s behaviour, and every person your cat meets should reinforce these rules. Your kitten can’t be expected to learn that it’s okay to play rough with adults, but not with baby.
Withdraw attention when your kitten starts to play too roughly. If the distraction and redirection techniques don’t seem to be working, the most drastic thing you can do to discourage your cat from rough play is to withdraw all attention when they start playing too roughly. They want to play with you, so eventually they’ll figure out how far they can go if you keep this limit consistent. The best way to withdraw your attention is to walk away to another room and close the door long enough for them to calm down. If you pick them up to put THEM in another room, then you’re rewarding your kitten by touching them. YOU should be the one to leave the room.
