Ricardo D Argence asked:

If you have a kitten or cat and have been questioning whether or not you should vaccinate it, the short answer is yes.

Vaccinations are important to your pet’s health and not taking this action could result in several complications for the duration of the animal’s life and shorten it tremendously.

Below you will find some extremely helpful information that will allow you to take the next steps in keeping your pet healthy.

Why Should You Do It?

Well, like we discussed above the most important reason is for its health. Both cats and kittens can contract various diseases that are not only uncomfortable for them, but could also be fatal.

Beyond that, having a pet can be extremely expensive and if you don’t care for it upfront then more expenses will soon follow that could hurt your finances.

Even though they are just pets to us, felines can’t just get up and go to the veterinarian when they don’t feel well. We understand this is common sense, but it’s important to embed this in everyone’s mind the next time your cat seems to be having problems with its health.

Getting vaccinations will also keep you from taking it to the vet’s every week.

Is There One Vaccination For Every Cat?

This is a great question and the answer is both yes and no. Yes, there are vaccinations that cats should all take at some point within their lifetime, but there are different shots and methods for every age.

When kittens are around six to eight weeks old, they are required to take the FVRCP vaccinations. FVRCP stands for Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus and Panleukopenia.

The first (FVR) is a respiratory infection that is contagious in cats. It is a serious issue where kittens and older cats may need special treatment to recover.

The second (C) deals with an upper respiratory issue and can be contracted as easily as sharing or using the same dishes for food and milk.

The last (P) is extremely deadly and if they contract this disease (feline distemper) they will have to be put in ICU.

Feline versions of AIDS, Leukemia, and Infectious Peritonitis are also issues that need to be addressed with vaccinations along with rabies. The pain, agony and discomfort cats will go through if they end up having any of these diseases you will know from the vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea and many other symptoms that occur.

The Important Facts

The point is that if you were or someone you know was extremely sick, the first thing to do would be taking a trip to your family physician. In this case, it’s a ride to the vet, but instead of waiting until something doesn’t seem right with your cat, take care of it now.

This is rare, if your cat is not vaccinated its chances of getting sick from one of the diseases listed above is much greater then developing a cancer due to vaccinations.

The risk of tumors developing because of vaccines has prompted most veterinarians to vaccinate in the hip area rather then in the scruff of the neck.

Routine visits should always be kept in regards to its health and even though it can’t say thank you, it will show it in other ways.

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happybooker98 asked:

I’ve already tried to use fishy-smelling canned food so they will come to eat and I can pet them. But, when I try to pick them up, they run or scratch me. I need to speed this up. They’re about 12 weeks old and I need to give them away before THEY start having kittens themselves. No one will take a wild kitten.

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Matthew Homfray asked:

They say we are what we eat. This applies to your pet as much as it applies to yourself. A good diet means less health problems, less trips to the vet and lower veterinary bills. But how much thought have you given to what your cat should be eating to maintain optimum health? Ask yourself the following questions.

1) How many times a day do you feed your cat?

Since cats cannot be exercised like dogs can, the only way you can influence your cats weight is by controlling the amount and type of food he or she eats. If the cat is being fed individual meals several times daily, there is often a tendency by the owner to offer the daily supply of food on several occasions rather than divide up the daily feed into several meals. This can also occur with cats fed dry food ad lib. Cats usually regulate their food intake, but continual exposure to large quantities of food may lead to over-eating and subsequent obesity if too many calories are consumed. In short, both several individual meals a day and ad lib feeding are fine, it is the total amount offered per 24 hour period which is the important figure.

Kittens should be fed small meals at regular intervals due to their tiny stomachs. Four or five meals are recommended at eight weeks of age, decreasing to two at six months of age.

2) Is your cats diet manufactured specifically for cats or do you give human food?

Some cat owners like to spoil their cat by feeding them human food as the bulk of their diet. Others have tried feeding their cat regular catfood, but find their fussy cat will not touch it, and prefers to wait for the inevitable human food offering, which soon becomes the staple diet.

Is it really unhealthy to feed cats human food though? Of course it depends what food. Remember that cats are carnivores, and require a high proportion of meat in their diet. They simply cannot adapt to a low protein diet, and will lose bodyweight if deprived of it. In fact, as a species they are relatively unique… a deficiency of the amino acid, arginine, in a single meal can lead to symptoms of lethargy, hypersalivation and vocalisation. Arginine is required by the cat to produce urea, a waste product resulting from the breakdown of protein.

Another essential nutrient for the cat is the amino acid, taurine, which the cat cannot manufacture sufficiently by itself to meet its needs. The cat’s diet must therefore contain taurine in sufficient quantities. If a deficiency develops there is a high risk of serious and irreversible damage to major organs such as the heart and the eye. Taurine is found almost entirely in meat, confirming the fact that the cat is a compulsory carnivore.

Another disease of nutritional origin is that caused by cats eating raw liver regularly, who can suffer from a condition called hypervitaminosis A. Cats suffering from this can present with signs of lethargy, unthriftiness, a stiff neck and other skeletal problems. To play it safe, do not feed your cat liver more than once a week.

Reputable cat foods are formulated after extensive trials by pet food companies to provide the mixture of protein, carbohydrate and fat that suits feline physiology best. It is easier, cheaper and possibly more healthy for your cat to be fed a reputable cat food diet, with occasional treats if desired (tuna, liver etc).

3) Which is better out of dry cat food or wet cat food?

Most vets recommend complete dry biscuit based cat food. This is because studies have shown that cats on dry food diets are less likely to suffer from dental disease than those on wet food from a tin or pouch. The physical motion of biting these biscuits helps prevent tartar from adhering to the surface of the tooth. However, even cats with no teeth can eat biscuit based food without a problem, as they just scoop up the biscuits with their tongue and swallow them whole. Another advantage of dry food is that it does not spoil as quickly which is useful for cats that are fed ad lib.

There are occasionally reasons why a wet food is preferable, as a method to increase the water consumption in a cat with a urinary problem such as cystitis.

4) Which is the best cat food to choose?

There are so many different brands of cat food on the market, the best one is basically a matter of opinion. Certainly palatability is a factor, there is no point in purchasing a particular food if your cat cannot stand it, although this is occasionally a necessity in cats requiring prescription diets. Rather than recommending you a specific brand, we suggest that you choose one which adheres to the criteria below.

Cat foods labeled as complete and balanced must meet standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), either by meeting a nutrient profile or by passing a feeding trial. There are now two separate nutrient profiles for cats - one for growth (kittens) and one for maintenance (adults). Maximum levels of intake of some nutrients have been established for the first time because of the concern that overnutrition, rather than undernutrition, is a bigger problem with many pet foods today. The standards include recommendations on protein, fat, fat soluble vitamins, water soluble vitamins, and mineral content of foods. If you are prepared to get technical, you should choose a food that comes closest to AAFCO recommendations.

In summary, consider the following points:

Choose a food that suits your cats age. Most big pet food companies will have different foods for kittens vs adults. Cats with medical conditions may be recommended special prescription diets.

Choose a food that come closest to AAFCO recommendations.

The ingredients contains the truth about a particular food. Everything else is there only for marketing purposes.

There are no legal and scientific definitions for the terms “premium,” “super premium,” “quality,” or “natural.”

Use dry matter numbers to evaluate and compare foods.

The source of ingredients (e.g. animal vs vegetable) does not matter, except in the case of food allergies.

Avoid supplementation. All commercial cat foods have more than enough protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Feeding your cat a good food incorrectly can lead to significant problems.

5) My cat is overweight, but no matter how hard I try I cannot get him to lose weight. What can I do?

Your cat is almost certainly being fed too much. Below some common mistakes are listed. Have a good look at these and make sure none of them could apply to your cat.

Not following the guidelines on the packet when measuring a portion. Most cat foods will have a table on the packaging suggesting daily portions for cats of different weights. The weight of food suggested is per 24 hrs, not per portion! Use your kitchen weighing scales to measure out the portion until you are sure of the correct amount.

Using a complete dry diet as a replacement for regular biscuits, and mixing it with wet cat food. If it says complete, you should not mix it with anything or you will overfeed.

Offering inappropriate food that is high in fat, or cream/full fat milk to drink.

Several members of the household feeding the cat at different times, whenever the cat is meows for food.

Giving the cat regular treats in addition to its main meal.

The cat is getting fed by neighbors, who think they are being kind by feeding it and enjoy the attention it gives them.

The cat is scavenging food from outside sources, such as other peoples bins.

The cat is part of a multi-cat household and is stealing food from the other cat(s), or even the dog.
Keep an open mind. If there is a possibility that any of the above scenarios might be the case with your cat, investigate it. If you are still at a loss, consider starting a prescription diet (see below).

6) I have heard you can get special light diets, or prescription diets for fat cats. Do they really work?

Yes they do, if used properly. These types of cat food are available in complete wet (tinned or pouches) form or dry (biscuit) form, and are growing in popularity amongst conscientious pet owners. They are low in calories and high in fibre, and often contain high levels of L-carnitine. L-carnitine has been used to help with fat metabolism in other species and recent scientific work indicates that it helps reduce weight in overweight dogs and cats. The real benefit of these low calorie diets though is that because of its low calories, cats can still eat reasonable sized portions and therefore feel full. This means they are more content and less likely to beg and look for extra food.
These diets are perfectly healthy for normal sized cats to eat too, so if you have a multi cat household and it is unfeasible to separate the cats during feeding time, you can safely feed all of the cats the prescription diet together.

7) Where can I buy this low calorie food from?

Many of the big pet food companies are waking up to the problem of pet obesity, and adding light versions to their range. However, they are unlikely to be as effective as the traditional prescription diets that are on the market.

They are known as prescription diets, because they are a specialist food normally prescribed by a veterinarian. However, you do not need a prescription to buy the food as it is a general sales list product. These foods are rarely available in supermarkets as many supermarkets are keen to sell their own brand, or have deals with the big pet food manufacturers. Many owners but their prescription diet from their veterinary clinic for convenience, whilst others prefer to shop around to get the best price. Many online pharmacies and pet stores are now offering these prescription foods, but whilst they may appear cheaper online, watch out for delivery charges added on top.

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videohost4 asked:

Here is “Gordon” as a kitten and later as an adult (today) at the end of the video (15 months old). He was birthed by his mother in the rafters of a barn, and fell down from the nest, then he was taken in by us. Although his condition may be due to the fall, it has the symptoms of Feline Cerebellar Hypoplasia. It’s almost like his hind motor skills are separate from his front. As a kitten he would frequently flip over forward (seen once in the video).

We now nickname him “Dink” because on hard floors his deliberate footsteps are “dink, dink…” As an adult he is able to function fine, not all cats with this condition are so lucky. The only thing special about his care is blocking him from stairs to another level of the house with a baby gate. The more he is able to concentrate on his standing/walking/running, the better he is able to do. When his attention is diverted, that’s when he tends to fall over.

This cat is very people friendly brings us a lot of love. The black cat in the video is blind, and it’s the same story with him. Please give imperfect animals a chance!

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Tristan Andrews asked:

Cats are one of the most popular pets in North America. They are loving pets, capable of providing you years of companionship. Like other pets, cats can sometimes get sick. There are several different types of ailments that cats can get, one of which is feline diabetes. Feline diabetes is a serious disease, although it can be treated by a veterinarian.

Diabetes is more common with humans than with cats or other animals. The cause of diabetes is actually quite simple. Sugar, or glucose, is found in the blood. The level of blood sugar in the body or the animal is kept under control by hormone insulin, which the pancreas produces. When the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, diabetes is to blame.

The symptoms of feline diabetes will vary. The most common symptoms include an increase in urine and an increase in thirst. Other symptoms of feline diabetes include a loss of appetite, weight loss, and a poor coat. An increase in thirst is easy to detect, as you can easily notice the water dish empty throughout the day.

If you don’t get your cat treated for feline diabetes immediately, the cat will eventually become inactive, vomit on a regular basis, and eventually fall into a coma. On the other hand, if you get the diabetes treated in time, the cat will more than likely lead a normal and healthy life. Keep in mind that treatment doesn’t happen overnight - it takes time and dedication.

Cats that have feline diabetes will need to be given food at the same time every day. They should be prevented from going outside as well. If your cat has diabetes, you’ll need to give him insulin shots once or twice or a day. Once your veterinarian checks your cat, he will tell you how many shots and how much insulin you need to give your cat.

Before you give your cat his insulin shot, you should always make sure that he has some food first. If he hasn’t eaten and you give him a shot anyway, he could end up with a hypoglycemic shock. This can also occur from too much insulin as well. A hypo can be really dangerous, and should be avoided at all costs. If your cat gets a hypoglycemic shock and you aren’t around, he may end up dying.

If you have to give insulin shots to your cat due to feline diabetes, you should always keep a watchful eye on him after you have administered the shot. After your cat has been on insulin for a period of time, your vet may reduce the amount of insulin. Even though he may have to stay on insulin the rest of his life, he will lead an otherwise healthy life.

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tariqwahl asked:

My kitty with his brothers and cousins dancing. He’s the little dopey one on the very far right. lol!

This was at my breeder Malric British Shorthairs. The Kittens are all not from one mother as some people seem to think.
http://www.malric-britishshorthairs.co.uk/
The song is from the milkshake drink Crusha ad. Link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR7RYKPJBdo

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pezbemine asked:

I have two female cats; they are both spayed. Every once in awhile it seems like every cat in the neighborhood comes to visit them. One of our cats, Kitty, also gets in the habit of peeing on things inside the house during this time. She doesn’t do anything else that makes it seem like she’s in heat. Even though they’re spayed, might one of them be attracting other cats? Is Kitty marking her territory? Any suggestions? I can deal with the cat visits but not the peeing.

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Sam Serio asked:

“Cats are possessed of a shy, retiring nature, cajoling, haughty, and capricious, difficult to fathom. They reveal themselves only to certain favored individuals, and are repelled by the faintest suggestion of insult or even by the most trifling deception.” – Pierre Loti
Ah, where to start? Cats are among the most celebrated creatures of literature. They’re domesticated and at the same time wild, loved and at the same time hated. They stand for stealth and mystery, the power of silence and secrets. And cat jewelry is a testament to that power.
Even before Halle Berry popularized the Catwoman, and before the sleek, sassy villainess ever graced the pages of DC comics, cats were being worshipped all over the world. The way the cat moves, the easy grace and mysterious stillness fuels the imagination and fires up the senses. Bast, the ancient Egyptian cat-goddess, was a wild goddess who was generous in good humor, and ferocious in ill. To kill a cat in ancient Egypt was to call down the wrath of Bast, and was not only considered an act of evil, but a crime against the gods.
To compare a person to a cat is to give credit to his/her capricious, languid, underhanded nature. Cats will only do as they desire, not as they are told. Loyalty is something they only bestow, not give out of a sense of obligation. At the same time they are affectionate to those whom they have chosen, work with reasons they may not disclose to anyone, and perform incredible tasks with absolute secrecy. Sending a person—especially a woman—cat jewelry as a gift would serve as a tribute to these special traits. Wearing cat jewelry would aid in fostering an image of mystery and an instinct for the refined.
The endearing nature of cats has been immortalized not only in classical literature (”The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe, and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” by Tennessee Williams, to name two of many) but also in modern literature, like TV shows and comic strips. We have Garfield and Heathcliff on our Sunday papers, and Top Cat and the Thundercats in our (all right, kind of outdated) Saturday morning cartoon lineups. Cats have been preserved in so many artistic forms—why can’t jewelry be among them?
Cat jewelry might be popular among children, especially little girls who love kittens and probably raise cats of their own. Young women may also appreciate the extraordinary sleekness of the feline motif, and feel especially sexy wearing something so in tune with their sensual nature.

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Kat Bartone asked:

“What is Feline Diabetes?”

Symptoms for feline diabetes can vary considerably among cats afflicted with this disease. Because many of the symptoms of diabetes in cat are characteristic of other illnesses and diseases as well, feline diabetes is not always diagnosed in a timely manner.

Also known as feline diabetes mellitus, the most common characteristic of this disease is an imbalance in glucose, or blood sugar, levels. For both animals and human beings, the level of glucose in blood is controlled by the pancreas, which secretes and releases insulin, a hormone, into the blood as needed. Insulin helps the body convert glucose into energy.

In diabetics, both animal and human, the cells which produce insulin are damaged, so the body cannot produce enough insulin to control blood sugar levels. Sugars are present in the blood, but cannot be converted to energy. In another form of diabetes, there may be enough insulin produced, but it does not work well.

“What Symptoms are Exhibited in Cat Diabetes?”>

Feline diabetes most often occurs in older cats. There are certain factors that increase the risk factor: overweight cats are more susceptible, as are male cats who have been neutered.

Some of the more common symptoms of feline diabetes include the following:

>> increase in thirst

>> frequent urination

>> weight loss

>> loss of appetite

>> dull coat

>> walking on hocks (joint of the rear leg) instead of paws

>> cataracts forming on eyes

An increase in your cat’s thirst is one of the earliest and most noticeable symptoms. Ordinarily, cats whose diet consists primarily of wet canned food may not drink a lot of water due to the high water content of their food. So you may notice that the level in your cat’s water bowl is dropping faster than usual.

“How is Feline Diabetes Diagnosed?”

Because there are a number of medical conditions that can cause these symptoms - viruses can cause loss of appetite, for example - the possibility that your cat may be diabetic is not the first thought to occur. The best course of action when your cat is exhibiting several of these symptoms is to have your cat examined by your veterinarian.

Diagnosis of cat diabetes is not necessarily straightforward, since stress and other illnesses can cause temporary imbalances in your cat’s blood glucose levels. A thorough physical exam as well as an array of blood and urine tests are needed to obtain a proper diagnosis.

“What is the Treatment for Cat Diabetes?”

With early detection, your cat may continue to live a normal and otherwise healthy life. Regular exams should be scheduled to ensure the continued good health of your cat, and in all likelihood, your cat will need injections of insulin twice a day. This is a simple procedure that your vet can train you how to do. Once the diabetes is under control, you may be able to reduce the amount of insulin. In the meantime, the best routine to develop is to give the injection to your cat every morning and evening right after its meal.

There are cat food formulations that have been optimized for diabetic cats, which you should speak with your vet about. If your vet recommends this as an approach to controlling your cat’s diabetes, you may need to keep your cat indoors so as to control its diet.

Feline diabetes that remains undetected or untreated will lead to your cat’s death. Typically, the cat becomes less and less active, falls into a coma, and dies. If your cat is manifesting any of the symptoms described here, it’s best to take the situation seriously and have your cat checked by your vet as quickly as possible. Doing so can save your cat’s life.

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R. G. Kirk asked:

The next time you sip your morning coffee while watching your favorite pet feline methodically groom herself for the day, consider this: your pet cat might have been revered, even worshipped by Egyptians thousands of years ago. These ancient Egyptians were a technologically and intellectually advanced society for their time. What exactly about your pet would they find so worthy of adoration?

To better appreciate this race’s amazing allegiance to their four footed companions, one must have a modest understanding of history. The Egyptians wisely utilized the waters from the Nile River, and its surrounding fertile soil to grow a variety of crops. Those seasons when the crops failed, the economy suffered horribly, and thousands of people went without food. This ancient culture relied heavily upon the wild, or feral cats of their era to protect their prized grains and harvested crops from disease carrying rats and mice. With their long, graceful limbs, large eyes, and sleek form, these agile felines were perfectly suited to catch vermin. It is suggested that terrible plagues were avoided just from the cats keeping the local rat population in check.

While feral cats were doing their part to protect important Egyptian grains and produce (as well as the local economy), in their cities and villages, domesticated cats served another significant purpose. Household cats were bread for their abilities to protect their beloved owners from snakes, rats, and other harmful pests. Cats were known to risk their lives for their owners, attacking and killing venomous cobras to protect their families. They kept young children from harm, and roamed the houses at night, using teeth and sharpened claws to safeguard the premises.

The cleverness, resourcefulness, agility, and grace of the Egyptian’s domesticated cats inspired this ancient culture to associate them with the goddess Bast. Bast’s spirit was often personified in feline appearance, and was frequently seen in the form of statues, paintings, and sculptures of the period. At times Bast was depicted with the face and head of a feline. On other occasions she was portrayed as a wise, regal cat. Bast was eventually given her own beautiful temple so that pilgrims could travel to revere her spirit in her own place of worship. Inside this structure, the priests of Bast cared for the many temple cats that dwelled in the sanctity of this holy place. In time, the sacred practice of mummification was extended to cats, for their owners adored them, revered them, and wished to be with them even in the afterlife.

In modern times, cats are still of importance to society. As the ancient Egyptians correctly realized, there are many advantages to having cats in the household as well as in the community. Although most cats in modern society are not required to save their owners from deadly cobras, many have been known to (depending on the local climate) protect against rattlesnakes, scorpions, poisonous spiders, and disease carrying rats and mice. Many farms, vineyards, and orchards continue to welcome cats for their ability to contain the local pest populations.

Scientists have spent vast sums of money trying to unlock the secrets of feline nocturnal vision. Cats’ nerves, reflexes, and musculoskeletal systems are presently being analyzed with the hope of making medical advancements that would be of benefit to humankind. Hundreds of years from today, we will still be learning about our feline companions, and benefiting from their presence in many ways.

Now would an ancient Egyptian have worshipped my pet cat? It’s quite possible. Would I worship my cat? Possibly, if she were able to reorganize my DVD collection, tidy up the kitchen, and organize my computer desk. I would definitely have to consider it.

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