Important Cat Care Information For You

So your dream is finally a reality and in your arms, sits a new kitten. You're looking forward to spending time with your new companion. In fact, you've already gotten your liter box, collar, food, and mouse toy. But what about everything else? What about shedding, those hairballs, or whether or not to declaw your furry friend. There's so much left to consider, but take a deep breath. We've got all the cat care information you need to know.

Obviously, the first step to taking proper care of your cat is that she needs love. A stable and trusting relationship between you and your cat will decrease unnecessary tensions and you won't feel so stressed. The rest of the cat care information you need will come in time, but here are a couple tips to get you started. These simple things to remember will make life with your cat a breeze!

First off, here's a piece of important cat care information for you.  It is a fact of life that cats shed. Of course, a long-haired cat will shed more than a short-haired cat but its important to remember that all cats do it. Also, note that cats shed all the time, not just during alternating seasons. The reason for this is because your cat is exposed to artificial lights and a constant temperature nearly 100% of the time, assuming she is an indoor cat. Although, this may make you a little nervous, don't be because it really isn't that bad. 

Lucky for you it doesn't take any special cat care information, your cat will take care of their shedding problem all on their own. Felines are known to be excessively clean animals. One of their biggest helpers in keeping up with their busy cleaning schedule is their roughly-textured tongue. This slobbery little tool comes in handy when dealing with their shedding. Of course, if cats are licking off all of that hair then I'm sure you can imagine the next problem-- hairballs. Hairballs are very serious when it comes to your cats health because they can block their digestive track and cause indigestion and other large risks. 

What are these so called hairballs? Well, a cat hairball is most frequently a cigar shaped mass of an indistinguishable matter. Most times these are coughed up so be sure to watch your step at all times!

Another hiding place for hairballs is in their liter box, embedded in feces. Ok, so maybe that is a piece of cat care information that you could have lived without ever knowing!  If you notice that your cat had expelled hair covered feces then it is most likely that they are suffering from hairballs. Also, dry hacking or coughing can be a sign of hairballs, which most often occurs after a meal. If your cat begins to have a drastic loss of appetite, hairballs could very well be the culprit.

So what is the best way to keep hairballs out? A necessary piece of cat care information that you should know.  The best way to prevent hairballs is to give your cat groomings. Not only, does that make their grooming job easier, it is also easier on their stomach. The quality times spent together will also increase the bond between you and your funny feline.

For some kittens, this simply doesn't solve the problem in which there are tons of products on the market to help control the hairballs. These products range from gel caplets to granules which are sprinkled atop the kitty's food for consumption. 

Declawing Thoughts? This is an important and somewhat controversial piece of cat care information. 

Many decades ago declawing was a standard procedure done, usually at the time a cat was spayed/neutered. This procedure is controversial now-a-days but it is still a preventative way of protecting your furniture and the legs of yourself, your family, and any guests.

Today, people are more aware of the details of the surgery and that's got them spooked! What was previously thought to be simple, just pulling out the claws, is actually quite an extensive procedure. This surgery involves a trained veterinarian actually amputating the farthest joint from your kitten's paws. Yowch!

To start the surgery, the doctor will heavy anesthetize the cat and then will proceed to cut off the first joint of your cat. Think of this as cutting off the portion of your hand where your finger-knuckles are, the area between fingernail and knuckle.

After the surgery, your cat will be bandaged, carefully, and will spend the night at the pet hospital. The next day, she will be prepared to travel home to begin their recovery.

Note to self! Your cat may not be feeling to cheery for the first couple days due to the excruciating pain so watch out! Of course, to the average owner, this pain might now be apparent but this is just because cats are fabulous actors and don't ever want you to know when they're hurt.

Although this surgery is quite extent, your cat will heal quickly. For about a week, she will tip-toe around the house and then after that they'll be back to their old selves again.

In order to keep infections out, its a good idea to replace the kitty liter with shredded newspaper. Not only is it a softer alternative to the grainy liter, but it will also keep out of the cat's, already tender, paws.

Although the recovery is quick, there is one more idea to consider before declawing. That section of their toes, from claw to first joint, is very important to them in more ways than one and upsetting that balance can throw off their whole nature equilibrium!

First off, a cat is grouped in with the other “digitigrades.” This long word looks threatening but it essentially means that your feline friend walks on their toes-- the very toes, which declawing throws off balance. It seems like nature designed the cat with 'toe walking' in mind because everything from his/her bank, shoulders, leg joints, and even nerves are dependent on this way of gait. Because of these special considerations, a cat's weight is distributed across its toes to help it walk, climb, and run.

All of this fancy talks just means that your cat's toes are crucial for proper exercise and balance. In addition, without claws, your cat will not be able to stretch correctly. Their form of stretching usually happens on either your furniture of a scratching post. What appears to be just a chance to sharpen their claws, is actually a method for stretching a cat's entire body! Declawing, will throw off their stretches not to mention their entire body alignment.

So what is the most important cat care information for you to know?  Well all of it, my friend!

Abundant shedding, mystery hairballs, and the art of declawing... not what you were expecting from your fluffy friend? Well, don't worry. There were just a couple thoughts to get your life with you and your cat off to a good start. Remember, with a little love, and some good care tips-- your cat can live a long and happy life!