K!tty Quest!0nz?

Question

I got some kitty questionz I'd like to know the answer to: to all you animal ( especially cat loverz ):

Q1: How many timez should I give my kitty a bath? remember it'z cold outside now, n'I'm worried my cat might catch a cold!

Q2: When should I trim my kittie'z clawz?

Q3: How can I tell weither a cat haz fleaz or not?

Q4: How can I prevent my kitty from having fleaz?

Q5: How can I make my kitty eat what I feed her? She'z v.picky n'won't eat anything, I alwayz end up throwing her food away & giving her what she wantz!!

Q6: How can I help my kitty gain more weight? She'z more to the thin side & I want her to be more healthy!

Q7: I recently ( last tuezday ) took my kitty from the pet shop, They told me she'll probably ( 75% ) be pregnant, how can I make sure she iz? what are the signz?

Q8: My kitty lovez to go crazy n'run around like she'z following an invisible mouse r'somethin', Iz that normal ?? she lookz like she'z on speed pillz!!

5Starz for the best answer

Answer 1

Hi there...I'll answer directly point for point your questions.

(1) Kitties generally do not require bathing as they are fastidious in nature to do this themselves. However, if they get into something that damaging their fur or cause them illness by ingesting the topicals then this would be the exception. Most people find that bathing kitties is a traumatizing experience for the cat therefore consider using unscented baby wipes to sponge bathe which is a less stressful alternative

(2) You can trim a cat's claws anywhere between 7-10 days minimum or when they are too sharp for your liking. Here's an instructional video by Cornell University Feline Health College of Veterinary Medicine on how to do this: http://www.felinevideos.vet.cornell.edu/trimming_claws/

(3) Cats who have fleas will lick and scratch themselves quite frequently. If the numbers are small, it is best to quickly turn your cat over and look on its belly. If you do not find them there, look on the back just in front of the tail. Be sure to part the hair and look at the level of the skin. When the numbers are very small, look for "flea dirt" (looks like pepper). Flea dirt is digested blood left behind by the fleas. Flea dirt is actually fecal matter from the flea. Finding flea dirt is a sure indication that fleas are present or have been present recently. Cats who have fleas always get tapeworms so you'll need to have her dewormed on a regular basis with Droncit/Drontal from a vet. Most of the counter deworming agents are ineffective and some can injure a cat. About fleas: http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/fleB.html

(4) To prevent fleas consider purchasing Frontline, Advantage or Revolution and apply this monthly behind the neck between the shoulder blades. You can purchase these from 1-800-Pet-Meds directly: http://www.1800petmeds.com/cat.asp?LV=10 The home would need to be treated as well since fleas eggs can fall off and hatch in the carpeting. Some people use either flea foggers or boric acid to kill fleas.

(5) Feeding a variety of food or table scraps creates finicky eating habits, therefore it's best to stick with one type of brand of cat food. http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/content/shared/living/pets/Rx/RX052206.html Sudden changes in diet can also cause loose stools. Any vet can confirm this fact.

(6) Cats need protein to stay healthy. Most of the commercial cat food on the market contains corn and some cats appetites are not satiated on these so they eat more. http://www.consumersearch.com/www/family/cat-food/review.html However, genetics and age play a role in why some cats do not gain weight as well as worms. So if your cat eats a lot and isn't gaining weight she may have worms and needs to be dewormed. If she's not keep her on a high protein diet and over time she will put on the weight.

(7) If your kitty is over the age of 5 months, hasn' been spayed and is an outdoor cat like you've indicated...there's a high possibility she may be pregnant--doesn't necessarily mean she is. Anyhow, a pregnant cat's belly will grow larger and the nipples become more pink and swollen over time. A vet can help determine if she is pregnant. Gestation period is between 63-69 days before birth of the kittens. http://or.essortment.com/pregnantcats_rxcn.htm http://www.pawsonline.info/felinepregnancy.htm

Consider scheduling an appointment with your vet to get her vaccinated, dewormed and checked for pregnancy. If she isn't, have her spayed as soon as possible to avoid unwanted pregnancies as there is a growing problem of overpopulation and euthanized kitties.

(8). The "crazies" are normal kitty behaviour. They love having their imaginable mice friends to chase and it's quite natural for all cats/kittens to do this especially in younger kitties.

Answer 2

1) Most cats don't like baths, don't want baths, don't need baths. If you absolutely have to bathe her, no more than once a month. Be sure to keep her in a warm room for several hours afterward so she doesn't catch a chill.
2) Trim the claws whenever they are too sharp, usually about once a month.
3) Look in the fur just above her tail, or get a flea comb from the pet store or grocery store. Comb her with it and if she has fleas, you will see fleas and/or little black specks of "flea dirt" which is digested blood.
4) Use Advantage or Frontline every month, and keep her indoors.
5) Be sure you are feeding her a high quality food (the first ingredient should be meat, not corn or by products). Experiment with a couple different brands, and when you find one she likes, stick with it. She will eat when she is hungry. Some cats are naturally thinner than others, and thin is healthier than fat. If she is pregnant, she should be on kitten food.
6) See above
7) Take her to the vet for a preg palpation and x ray if she is far enough along. Her belly and nipples will get big if she is pregnant. How old is she?
8) Crazy behavior is normal, especially in kittens, but even my 15 year old tears around the house from time to time. Enjoy her craziness!!! Good Luck!!

Answer 3

don't listen to the rubbish about letting the cat have one litter! I spayed my cat before she could have a litter and here she is, 17+ and just as happy as ever, my best friend! so good for you, keeping the pet population down is the right thing to do as a responsible pet owner. All the cats have been different in the way they've been when we brought them home-- my baby was kinda out of it because of the stuff they used to put her under, so she was kinda like drunk almost. the last two we spayed (are still kittens- it wasnt' that long ago) the one, who is just full of it, she was playing and bouncing around right away, even though she was supposed to be taking it easy, but she was fine. the other one, she is a runt and she had gone into heat once and the poor thing was just soooo uncomfortable when she was in heat, so she was better when she was spayed, just happy that we actually brought her back home. she was more upset just for visiting the vet then she was for what they did I think :) I hope this helps you and gives you an idea. All you can do is follow the vet's instructions and show love to your kitty and you'll both be just fine :)

Answer 4

Q1. You only bathe a cat when it is absolutely filthy. Cats keep themselves clean. The most you should be doing is your cat is kept indoors is give it an occassional rub down with a moist hand towel.

Q2. Trim kitty'claws once a month or once every 3 weeks. I hope you know how to do it becuase you will injure your cat if you clip too near the quick - best let a vet tech show you how first. Remember, if you hurt the cat just once trying to clip its nails, it will NEVER allow you to hold its paws again for clipping - it will associate your handling its paws with sure pain. I clip only the very TIPS of my cat's claws just to make sure I don't go anywhere near the quick (it is the PINK solid part showing through the almost transparent claws). And I can clip the tips only when my cat is sleeping. Better get a cat book that shows you where the quick is.

Q3. Get a flea comb. Run it down the cat's back (from nape of naeck to base of tail). If there are reddish-brown or black particles, then the cat has fleas. Those dark particles are flea droppings.

Q4. Get Advantage or Revolution from the Vet and apply that behind your cat's neck (the vet will show you how) - that will get rid of fleas. DO NOT buy anti-flea medications from supermarket (like Hartz, etc.) - these are not only useless, they are very toxic to cats - some cats have had seizures from these supermarket brands. Get only those recommeded by YOUR vet.

Q5. You'll soon find out what flavor cat food your cat prefers. You only had your cat for a week or so... afraid you'll just have to go through the learning process until you hit upon what kitty prefers. Whatever falvor it is, buy good quality cat food - one with a protein source (like tuna, chicken, beef) listed as its first ingredient (look and read the label).

Q6. Beleive me, after a few months, you'll be wanting to know how to keep kitty's weight down! Your cat will gain weight gradually as she matures. If you feed her as directed in the cat food you buy, she'll gain but not oo much, I hope. Most pet owners struggle with overweight pets!

Q7. The only way you can tell if your cat is pregnant now is to take her to vet for examonation. Otherwise, time will tell.

Q8. It is absolutely normal for young cats to go zooming through the house "chasing martians." Its a good sign of overall physical and emotional health. That's how they keep their muscles well toned, their reflexes lightning fast.

Oh - ypu did not ask this but since you brought home a new pet - CONGRATS - and one of the first things you ought to do is schedule an appointment with a vet for a kitty check-up. Don't forget to ask your vet questions about caring for your new baby.

Good luck.

Answer 5

#1. cats bathe themselves... you don't need to
#2. take the cat to the vet to have claws trimmed... that's assuming they need to be trimmed. That's why cats scratch on things.
#3. fleas jump, you'll see them
#4. keep your cat indoors 100% of the time
#5. you can't MAKE your cat eat food they don't like... unless you wait until they're starving to death; then they'd eat poop to stay alive.
#6. you don't put your cat on a weight-gaining program. It's a cat for crying out loud!
#7. the cat will begin to fill out in the middle if she's pregnant
#8. cats love to play. your cat is playing. Good Grief!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

A1. you don't necessarily have to. cats clean themselves.
A2. if you have a scratching post or if the cat goes outside you shouldn't have to
A3.run your hand in the opposite direction the fur is going. look at cats skin checking for anything small black and quick. easiest to check in light colored fur.
A4.flea collar
A5.get dry food and leave it out til she eats it. she will eventually and NO table scraps. If you give her table scraps you can forget her ever eating cat food
A6.don't feed her table food and check pet store for kitty vitamins
A7. no idea
A8. that's normal

Answer 7

1.i f he is inside he probbaly needs one a week if hes outside he probbaly two a month.

2.whenever you want you cat to stop tearing up the sofa!

3.usally if your cat has fleas then you will feel them,see them,or see you cat scratching a lot.

4.use a flea collar.

5.most cats are picky.just give her a little bit of everything.what she doesen't eat just give to her later

6.give her more food and milk.

7.she will be fat and start eating more to build up milk for her kittens

8.yes thats normal most cats are very active.

Answer 8

1 - u dnt wash a cat cos it washes itself
2 - take it to your vet and they will do it for you and tell you how often to come back
3 - it scratches and rubs itself up against stuff
4 - give it a spray with flea spray every month
5 - stop giving in to her, leave her food and she will eat it eventually if you dnt feed her what she wants
6 - ask your vet
7 - she will gain weight and become more tired if in doubt take to vet when getting nails trimmed!!
8 - my dog does this to, its just them having fun and you should encourage it. play with them! you will keep in shape while having fun with your kitty!!!

have fun and stop worrying so much!!

Answer 9

1: indoor cat - about 2 a year outdoor cat about - every other month

2: ask your vet about that you'll get the best answers

3: VET

4: the vet has shots

5: My cat did that too - take it too the vet they have special stuff

6: VET VET VET VET!!!

7:take her to the vet they can probably do an ultrsound

8: thats normal kittens are weird