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You are deep asleep, but there is this funny noise that wakes you up. The sound is like someone is choking.
Well, you have a head cinema in your head, and you get up to look at where the noise comes from.
As you just about to reach the stairs, you feel something warm and slimy on your foot. Yes, you stepped into something wet, warm and slimy. Oh no, you know you stepped into cat puke in the middle of the night.
If you are having a baby and a cat, there is nothing to worry. Both are great together when you follow a few rules.
Many times, I see friends who had a cat before they get married and they loved their four-legged friend dearly. Then the boyfriend comes along, and they get married.
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I have been asked many times by friends how did I do it with my cats and my kids?
The most common question is if cats and newborn babies get along or do cats smoother the baby.
To answer the question of how I do it.
We always had cats and dogs, and when the kids arrived, we made sure we introduced them properly into the family that included all our four-legged friends.
This old wife’s tale is still around that cats, and newborn babies do not get along. Or cats suck the breath out of babies.
I have never seen that cats are a danger for babies. I have never understood why people say things like that. “Nothing is more ridiculous than that saying cats take the breath of the baby.
I know a lot of Pregnant women who worry a lot when they have a cat and a new baby arrives.
When you have a newborn baby and a cat that was there before then you must introduce the cat and baby like you would introduce a new cat to your old cat.
If you are having a baby, grandchild, nephew or nice congratulations and if you also have a cat again compliments both will be so good together if you follow a few rules and don’t neglect your cat.
Paying attention to your resident cats and preparing the proper introduction is half of the battle in preparing you, your cat and the child for a joyful and peaceful time together.
Kitties love to sleep on your lap, your feet, tummy, your head or any other body part. They are drawn to people.
Sometimes cats are drawn to infants due to the milk breath of your baby, as cats are curious from nature and they might sniff your infant out or just to see where the smell of milk comes from.
Seldom will cats sleep in the Crib of the baby as when it cries the noise is not pleasant to the ears of your cat and it might scare your cat?
There are exceptions, and those usually are cats who sleep in the bed of the baby or on top of the baby.
Yes, that is dangerous, and you should never leave the cat and baby unsupervised.
If your cat has the habit of sleeping in the crib of your infant, and you are not comfortable with it then keep the cat out of that area.
Some people suggest using aluminium foil as the cats do not like to walk on it because of the sounds. Well, all I can say my cats don’t mind aluminium foil and will scratch it when they can get it.
It might work for some cats, I guess it depends on your cat.
You must understand that your cat was there first. As you properly got her when you are single or already in a relationship your cat has never been exposed to an infant, toddler or young children.
Your Kitty has always been around adults.
For your cat, those small humans with that funny noise are like aliens to your cat.
Alone the smell, sound, and look are different, compare to the adults your kitty is used too.
Children, babies, infants are a similar size to a cat’s level and move differently and more erratically.
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Your Cat might switch to stranger-danger mode, and there are only two options then either your cat becomes freighted, and hides or it becomes defensive and tries to chase away the scary creature.
None of those options is good.
During pregnancy start already to prepare your cat beforehand.
There are nine months for the pregnancy, and that is a great time to prepare your four-legged friend for the newborn baby.
Cat lovers know that cats love the status quo.
When you decorate the nursery be sensitive to your cat especially when she used or had access to that room before, for sleeping or just for taking a break.
Make those changes in steps. Don’t change all in one time.
Essential for your cat is let your cat investigate the new things, at least it will not feel left out.
One thing you need to be aware off is that your cat will properly love to sleep in the bassinet or starts playing and smashing around the babies mobile.
Install a baby gate to keep your cat out when you are not able to supervise your cat.
Start using or wearing baby powder and baby lotion around 6 weeks in advance. Your cat will associate these smells with something it already knows and loves.
Another thing is you need to change your routine once the baby arrives, try to replace some of the basic routines in advance so your cat is used already to some of the routines and your kitty will not get upset when you pay attention to a stranger that has a weird smell and sounds scary.
Do not exclude your cat from this happy and enjoyable time, it will only make your cat confused and sad.
A stressed cat will potentially act out in unacceptable ways like avoiding the litterbox, scratching and biting.
The Time when the Baby Arrives.Soon as the baby is born to bring something home from the hospital a t-shirt, a blanket any worn clothing from the baby.
Cats communicate through scent, and your cat will identify the scent than as a friend smelling similar to them. This is one of the reasons why they cheek rub against you or your legs. It makes the smell familiar to your cat before your kitty gets to know your baby.
This is an advanced introduction. It is necessary, and you should not skip that.
I used the baby socks and petted my cats with the socks. The cats started to play with the socks and Minka used to grab the sock and sleep on it.
I always had to get them as I used to put the socks then inside out on my kids to wear them when I brought them home.
It is an old trick as the baby smells than like the cat and your kitty identifies your baby as part of the family.
In general, cats are really good with babies. Bringing home, the baby, do it reasonably and don’t make a big fuzz about it. I know it is a big thing don’t make a big deal about the introduction.
The idea is that you want to let your kitty know this is normal, and an expected part of its life.
It is crucial that you do not force the introduction. If your cat is interested and wants to sniff allow it but be there to supervise it. Let the cat smell the baby’s foot with the scented socks on it.
It is an important part to allow your cat to look, smell, sniff, touch that little alien that is so very different from the adult alien to see there is nothing to fear.
Do not forget to praise your cat when it behaves confidently and calmly. After a while, the cat will treat the baby as one of the family members.
There should be no problem. I used to make a special cat bay time when I was feeding my kids.
I was tossing treats and used a laser beam toy at the same time.
This way your cat will associate with the baby presents a great time.
As time goes on and the baby grows you must teach your child to respect the cat, too.
It is essential for your kitty to have a private retreat or an escape area where it can withdraw when it becomes too hectic.
It is important that cats and newborn babies treat each other under your supervision with mutual respect.
Only in this way you can be sure that your baby is growing up alongside your special cat.
This relationship will last a lifetime for both.
I know the opinions are different, but cats and kids have special relationships. When a kid grows up with pets, it is a blessing for both.
Cats and newborn babies are a great combination, and the old wife’s tale is just an old wive’stale.
Having a cat and a baby, is an adjustment no doubt but it is a blessing for the whole family. A cat is part of the family; it should not change because a baby arrives.
I agree that it is an adjustment, but it is nothing impossible. There is no need to give your furry friend away because you are having a baby.
I have raised 3 kids with 4 cats and 3 dogs and my kids have learned to interact and respect animals.
It is the greatest gift you can give your children together on their way to grow up. It teaches them responsibility, love, respect, and compassion.
Are you a mom with a cat and a baby? If so how did you introduce your cat to the baby if you have more tips please let us know and comment below? Share this blog with your friends and family. I will be happy and grateful if you share it on social media. Thank you.
All Yours
Melissa
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MyPetshopworld Disclaimer:
This website is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. If you require any veterinary-related advice, contact your veterinarian promptly. Information at mypetshopworld.com is exclusive of a general reference nature. Do not disregard veterinary advice or delay treatment as a result of accessing information at this site.
When Woman get pregnant and they own a cat, a lot to think to give the poor little kitty away because of the worry of contracting feline toxoplasmosis. This is not only illogical but also bad for the animal and pity for the offspring. Science today knows a great deal about the transmissible diseases from animals to humans. There are not many, and you can easily avoid these few.
It is also unlikely that a cute cat will hurt the baby or toddler. With a few changes in daily routines and habits and some empathy with the animal psyche, there is no jealousy at all.
Who distributes his favour evenly and gives each “his” special attention, creates by itself domestic harmony?
Hygiene problems you can get under control quickly, everyone in the family has to take a bit of effort. Taking away a cat because you are pregnant is not necessary as you will see in this article.
Yes, I agree that Feline Toxoplasmosis can be a threat to your unborn child, but with common sense and care, you can have it all. Being a mother of 3 kids, 2 dogs, 4 cats and 3 Horses, I know what I am talking about.
Been there and been through it.
I was inspired to write this article about the misinterpretation of feline Toxoplasmosis and to inform worried pregnant woman about the truth.
This is a real story and happens 8 months ago. I realised a lot of people just repeat things they have no idea about, but because too many friends repeat the same, we start to believe it.
We are looking after some stray cats in our condo. Recently I found we had a newcomer a tabby cat and this cat was not a stray cat. She was a house cat, and it looks like abandoned by the owner. How sad I thought, and I wanted to find out who was this cat belongs too, as I wanted to talk to the cat owner for the reason to abandon a cat and maybe convince them take her back.
Destiny had it that I am sitting with our strays feeding them and a lady I knew from the condo comes around, she was pregnant, talking to me about the cats. She made some small talk before she wanted to know if we see the tabby cat around.
I ask her if it is her cat and she said yes, her gynaecologist recommended to let her cat go due to the toxoplasmosis and because she knows I feed the cats she thought her cat is in good hands.
Unfortunately, she misses Abby, her cat and she worries about her. I ask Alicia ( that is her name) to meet with me and my friend a veterinarian. She agreed, and we went for a coffee 2 days later.
My friend had an educational talk about pregnancy, cats and toxoplasmosis with Alicia. We meet another 2 times as it was hard to convince her that her gynaecologist been misinformed.
Let me tell you it took a long time and I will tell you the outcome in my blog.
What do you think Abby stayed on the street or went back to her owner.?
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. It can live in a cat’s intestines and be spread through its faeces.
It also can live in dirt and on some food we eat. ( like, Vegetables, raw food, raw meat, ) source https://familydoctor.org/condition/toxoplasmosis/
Our domestic cat is the man host of Toxoplasma gondii. Although the animal itself usually do not get sick, they can transmit this parasite to humans.
Note: Another Farm animal like dogs, horses, sheep, goats, etc. can also transmit the disease.
Most women have antibodies. However, the infection is no reason to panic, because usually, we do not even notice that we have infected ourselves.
In exceptional cases, flu-like symptoms can be treated well with antibiotics. In fact, there are two risk groups that the parasite can be dangerous to an unborn life in the womb and people suffering from immunodeficiency, such as.
AIDS, or those, e.g. after a transplant, must be treated with drugs that suppress the immune system.
In pregnant women, the pathogen can cause an abortion or severe disability in the child;
In people with a weak immune system, the toxoplasma can cause inflammation of the brain.
Persons in these risk groups should be examined in the case of a suspected toxoplasma infection and treated if necessary, prophylactically with antibiotics.
The parasite can only harm the unborn life if the mother becomes infected with the pathogen for the first time during pregnancy.
This means that the child of a woman who has already undergone a Toxoplasma infection before pregnancy and could produce enough antibodies is usually protected from the disease.
Therefore, all women who want to have children should be tested for these antibodies.
But even if a pregnant woman has not yet developed anti-toxoplasma antibodies, it does not necessarily mean that the cat must leave home.
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Cats become infected by eating raw meat. In other words, home cats that have consumed only boiled food or convenience food all their lives are likely to be free of Toxoplasma gondii.
Indoor cats that have never been outside usually are also free from Feline Toxoplasmosis.
For safety, one can have the excrement of the animal examined for the pathogen. Many adult cats with clearance have usually already undergone an infection with the parasite and formed antibodies against it.
If the vet detects a sufficient number of antibodies in the blood of the cat, it is considered immune and usually does not transmit toxoplasmas.
Exceptions are sick cats: Let the veterinarian advise you individually and examine the faeces of the cat.
If no toxoplasma are found in the stool of the cat, the likelihood of transmission is extremely low. With a release, you should have the droppings examined at regular intervals.
Also, pregnant women without toxoplasmosis antibodies should comply with special hygiene rules in these cats, e.g. cleaning the cat toilet should be done by the partner or another person in the household.
It is good to know that the pathogen needs at least 48 hours of maturation outside the cat’s body to become infectious – if the litter box is thoroughly cleaned with hot water within this time, the risk of infection is relatively small. Another critical measure is the good old hand washing after each contact with the cat and before each meal.
If you follow these hygiene rules, there is no significant danger to your own cat. However, the risk of infection is often forgotten by the consumption and processing of raw food and by contact with soil, which can be contaminated with the pathogens.
Note: The pathogen is found mainly in three to four days old cat droppings, in garden soil, in the grass, on unwashed fruit and vegetables and in raw meat.
If all this information is not enough to reassure you, and you want to exclude even the smallest residual risk for your peace of mind, talk to your veterinarian and I am sure he/she can recommend and effective diagnostic procedure that can be very sure to find out if a cat at all is a risk for feline Toxoplasmosis.
Both faeces and a blood sample are examined. Explaining how this is done and evaluated would go too far in this article. Just contact your veterinarian.
I hope that now you can realistically assess the risks discussed and you are better prepared for unsustainable advice.
There is no need to give your cat away when you are pregnant. If so then you should not have a dog either, and you should not come in contact with any outdoor animal either.
Your cat and baby will have a bond later on that will be so beautiful and precious that you are wondering why you have been worried.
My friend the veterinarian and I talked a lot and tried to convince Alicia, but my dear friend an animal lover and veterinarian was too much worried about Abby not being able to defend herself as a true indoor cat on the streets with the other street cats, she looked worried and you could see to scared to eat. So she took matters into her own hands and took Abby into her care.
Alicia did not know that, and one evening she came and asked me did Abby got killed because she could not see her anymore before I could answer she raised her hands and said “Thanks Lord you heart my prayers.’
Shocked and stunned for me, it was clear that Abby will not go back to her.
When I informed my lady friend the veterinarian, she was upset and told me that Alicia will never get back Abby she will keep her. Abby lives happily with my friend and her other cats, she tested Abby for feline toxoplasmosis, and the results are negative. All this worry for nothing.
Alicia got tested for Feline Toxoplasmosis, and it turned out she was immune. She came back to me looking for Abby, but for her prayers, she was gone.
I told her that she could have avoided all this when she would have been taking the steps a couple of months ago and she still could have Abby. Now Alicia has Twins and always is looking for Abby, but without a real commitment.
We chat from time to time and how life is without a cat and all is so much easier. I ask her if she would donate the things she has for Abby to our local SPCA and she told me no, I have thrown all into the rubbish. I ask her why and she said she is happy Abby is gone as it was a hassle to her as she was a wild cat.
Well, if it was not clear before for me and I still felt doubt about my friend keeping Abby now I am convinced and happy that Abby has a true home that cares and loves her dearly.
Feline Toxoplasmosis is not a reason to abandon any cat. When you get a pet to consider it is for a lifetime and it can not just be disposed of because it is an inconvenience. Pets are part of the family for a lifetime.
What about you, what is your experience with pregnancy and cats? Do you have a feline friend who has or has been tested positive for feline toxoplasmosis?
Share with us your experience.
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All Yours
Melanie
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Does my Cat have the Flu?
Petshop world Disclaimer:
This website is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. If you require any veterinary-related advice, contact your veterinarian promptly. Information at mypetshopworld.com is exclusive of a general reference nature. Do not disregard veterinary advice or delay treatment as a result of accessing information at this site.
Nothing is more beautiful and inspiring like a bunch of flowers or potted plants that give the last touch to your home. Flowers add a beautiful and welcoming touch to every home.
Unfortunately for different reasons when you have cats you need to consider the plants you buy and have to choose them carefully as some of the plants can be toxic and will harm your cat. Cats are carnivorous but they love to munch on greenery around the house and garden. There is quite a long list of deadly plants around what can harm your cat.
Cats love plants, and sometimes they rub themselves on the plants or sit in the flowerpot. The danger starts when they start nibbling the plants as this can end deadly. Individual plants and flowers are toxic beyond any means and can put cats straight into shock, and that can cause heart failure or kidney failure.
We go through some subjects like
Lilies can cause kidney failure in your cat. I know the yellow dust from the flower stamps get everywhere and I know my cats … they are everywhere so I don’t want them to be yellow or brown and I do not want them to poison with the lilies.
I love lilies but with my cats, I do not buy them anymore. There are other beautiful smelling plants or flowers that you can use around cats and they do the same job in making your home look welcoming or beautiful.
2. The beautiful Daffodils another poison plant for your cat,
Daffodils make cats vomit and cause an upset stomach.
Cats usually only show symptoms if a larger portion of bulbs, foliage or pods are ingested. It will lead to poisoning, and it will show with signs of dehydration, vomiting, electrolyte imbalance, diarrhoea, and discomfort in the abdominal area. Make sure when your cat shows the symptoms you get to a veterinarian so he can check how dangerous it is.
What is good for us humans must not be suitable for cats. The whole family of Aloe Vera can cause a toxic reaction to cats. Those plants also have thorns and cats and dogs can easily be insured by the thorns. Especially the longer ones.
But Oleander contains cardiac glycoside toxins that affect your cat’s heart. Every single part of that shrub plant is highly toxic for your cat and dog.
The seeds and leaves contain a highly toxic glycoprotein with the name ricin. Only a small amount of the seeds or beans ingested by your cat but also for dogs can end deadly.
Daisies are also from the chrysanthemum family and yes they are toxic to your cat. It starts with vomiting, diarrhoea, skin irritation, hypersalivation and loss in coordination. Act fast when your cat shows signs look for a vet, the symptoms are similar to tick poisoning both should not be taken lightly and it is advised that you visit as quickly as possible your veterinarian.
According to the ASPCA, the Gerbera jamesonii also called Gerber daisy is on the other hand non – toxic for cats and considered a safe plant. It is a bit confusing and to make sure that you do not mix it up to keep them both as far as possible from your cat.
When indigested by your cat both Rhododendrons and Azaleas contain grayanotoxins. Those toxins are in all parts like the pollen and the nectar. The average calculation is 1g/per kg body weight. (especially dangerous for kittens)
These toxins called grayanotoxins affect the skeletal muscles, cardiac muscles, and nerve function in pets. It affects the heart and can cause an irregular heartbeat, it causes weeping, vomiting, salivation, weakness, convulsions, coma and death. Azaleas are also often given as a gift. Consider if you have a friend who has a pet not to give azaleas. As beautiful as they are kept in mind that they are highly toxic for your furry friends.
Those plants are the more poisonous ones and you should bring your cat in case of poisoning straight to a veterinarian.
You ask why it is simple the bulbs of your hyacinths are under the earth and if you store them make sure you keep them safe and secure from your cat. The bulbs are toxic to your cat. I have seen cats playing with the bulbs but never eating them or nibble on them. In any case, keep them away as they are toxic and can cause in rare cases death.
The toxins of tulips are concentrated in the bulb. Severe symptoms of poisoning include an increase in heart rate, and difficulty breathing.
Symptoms according to ASPCA: Vomiting, depression, diarrhoea, hypersalivation.
According to the ASPCA has listed all species of begonias being toxic to cats and dogs. If a cat digests the begonia it can cause oral irritation, hypersalivation, difficulty swallowing and vomiting. Difficulty in swallowing can result in joking. Be aware when your cat shows sign.
The more toxic part of the plants are the begonia tubers.
Your cat has to eat a lot of the Umbrella tree to be toxic. The small or big amount each cat is different and it can cause toxic poisoning to your cat. The symptoms will be mild like diarrhoea and vomiting. It should not be matter mild or strong poisoning it causes a pain and suffering for your cat and I am sure you do not want your cat to suffer.
Spider plants do attract like the light the mots. The long-reaching leaves playing with the wind make a tempting play for your cat. Especially for cats who are bored or if there is only one cat in a household. Cats can easily reach them as they are mainly hung in baskets. Symptoms for ingesting the spider plants are vomiting, retching, salivation and anorexia.
Even those plants are less toxic resist the temptation to buy them and put them into your household. Cats are different and some cats are stronger and some are weaker. Don’t take any chances.
In south-east Asia, you find a lot of this plant. Nearly every street corner has at least one of those palms.
These palms have toxic substances like Terpenoids, saponins, and insoluble oxalates.
Symptoms; Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing.
If you see your cat have difficulties swallowing or swelling in the mouth area, tongue and lips then you have to bring your cat immediately to an emergency animal hospital. Swelling of the mouth, tongue and lip can cause suffocation to your cat.
Dieffenbachia is a beautiful plant and easy to grow. When it is healthy it is a lush green plant. The dieffenbachia contains toxic insoluble calcium oxalates and proteolytic enzymes.
The Dieffenbachia also is known as the Dumb Cane has made its name due it has a numbing effect when the leaves are orally consumed.
When consumed or chewed on by your cat it causes an oral irritation like the intense burning of the mouth what results into numbing effect to the mouth and then swallows to the throat. Excessive drooling and vomiting.
It can cause life threating moments when the throat of your cat swells up and your cat cannot breathe anymore. The dieffenbachia is one of the more dangerous houseplants to keep around if you have pets.
Also called the American Mistletoe. A kiss under the mistletoe with your loved one a beautiful memory. Keep in mind to hang it high enough and unreachable for your cat if you need to have a mistletoe.
American Mistletoe contains toxic substances like Toxalbumin, Pharatoxin Viscumin (Lectins, Phoratoxins). What can cause Vomiting, diarrhoea, low blood pressure (rare), difficulty breathing, low heart rate? A low heart rate needs to be treated immediately from a veterinarian. If your cat tries to reach your mistletoe and got hold of it and on top, she is chewing on it bring her straight to the vet. Your cat could go into shock and death within a few hours.
Here is a list of the most common toxic plants for cats. Those plants are the most commonly encountered plants around. You can find them easily in any flower shop or Plant nursery.
When cats become bored they do all thoughts of things keep your cat busy…
#Many Plants are irritants and they affect often the gastrointestinal tract. ( cats chew on the plants for many reasons) Symptoms like irritation or inflammation, like swelling, redness or itchiness of the mouth and skin.
#In case the toxic principle affects an organ the symptoms seen will be to that organ
#If the airways and throat are affected than the symptoms are heavy or difficult breathing. ( some cats try to open their mouth to get more air)
#If the mouth, throat, or Esophagus is affected than the symptoms are difficulty in swallowing and drooling. Heavy Breathing is also a sign.
#When the stomach and intestines are affected than the symptoms are vomiting and diarrhoea
#If the intestine and colon is affected than the symptoms are diarrhoea
#When the kidneys are affected the symptoms are dehydration, excessive drinking and urinating.
#In case the heart has been affected the symptoms are a slow irregular heartbeat and low heart rate,
Please note according to Veterinarian Melisa Nelson DVM (Doctor of Veterinary medicine )
Early symptoms are nausea/vomiting, stumbling and head tremors and increase urination and drinking (among other signs) later symptoms include: seizures, vomiting, producing little urine and painful kidneys.Source https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Poisoned-Cat
When you are lucky enough to see your cat eating a plant and you are not sure it is poison or not, then you should watch your cat for the next couple of hours to see if she shows any symptoms.
First of all, if your cat shows symptoms and you suspect your cat has been poisoned from eating a plant or any other substances than please call immediately your daytime vet or if it is out of hours your nearest pet emergency service.
Depends on the poison you need to act fast and should not take any chances. Do not offer your cat water or anything else to make her vomit as this might inadvertently move the poison into the body quicker. Only if instructed by the vet or emergency hotline. Otherwise, you might do more harm than good. If you know what your cat consumed than put it into a container and take it together with your cat to the vet. If your cat has already vomit than take the vomit ( scoop it up ) I know yikes but scoop it up and bring it in a container to your vet.
Be aware that your cat when she is sick she might want to hide somewhere, and when you try to pick her up she might scratch and bite you it is a normal reaction.
Don’t worry Nature created also plants for cats that are not poison or deadly.
When you look around there are plenty of Plants that are Pet-friendly and they will also suit your home and make your home look welcome.
Here are just a few
The following plants are non-toxic to both cats and dogs:
The full list on toxic plants and non-toxic plants you can download here from the ASPCA
There are plants out in nature what can be fatal for your cat. The same goes for indoors. Be aware when you have a cat that there are deadly plants or flowers even in a bunch that exists. Inviting those deadly plants or poison plants into your home means you invite yourself the trouble.
Cats are everywhere and they are nosy they love plants and rub against them or sit in the flowerpot. In some cases, they chew on them. To avoid surprises and accidents happen in your home remove those deadly plants or poisonous plants and replace them with cat-friendly plants.
To keep your cat safe create a cat-friendly environment. ( indoor cats) For outdoor and indoor cats be aware and if your cats show signs of poisoning act fast as every minute counts.
Here you find the link by ASPCA for all the toxic and non-toxic plants
Do you have experience with cat poisoning if so share your experience or if you have any question please feel free to ask.
A special thank you to our vet Dr Julian Walter for answering all my questions and helping me with my research.
Please note that this is only advice and if your pet is poisoned please seek emergency care immediately. You should never put the life of your pet at risk, pets are family.
All yours Melanie
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Congratulation, you finally decided to get a cat. There are a few things to consider when you are getting a cat. One of them is making your House/Home /Appartement cat proof. That is very important.
I tell you my story in the end. It is a sad story.
Now that you are a cat owner of one or several cats you need to think about how you can make the life of your furry friend as easy to settle in as possible.
Yes, you heart right having pets comes with responsibilities and you need to provide the proper for care for the needs of your cats.
What it means is thinking about the living condition, proper healthcare, grooming, feeding etc.
Regarding your cat’s living conditions, this will be largely influenced by your own lifestyle. If you live in an apartment in a city, then your cat would be living solely indoors.
If you live on a farm, then your cat may live solely outdoors or live both indoors and outdoors.
Living in a house you can choose to have an indoor or outdoor cat or both. But keeping a cat inside the house when you have a house and garden is not easy.
It is important that you feed your cat only Cat Food, not human food or food scraps from the table.
Cats can be very picky with food.
If they liked the food 2 weeks ago doesn’t mean they will eat it today. It is a challenge when you have a picky cat who chose her food. I have one who is so picky that she drives me crazy with her pickiness.
The Diet of your cat should be balanced. You have to decide on how you feed your cat. Free schedule or fixed schedule.
Free schedule = That is when the cat is given a free choice. That can cause you sleepless nights.
Fixed schedule = The cat will have a routine and remember the cycle to eat for a cat is the hunt, play, eat, groom, sleep. ( I prefer fixed schedule as that lets me sleep at night)
Do not overfeed your cats with snacks and treats.
Do not think your cat will know what to eat and what not to eat.
Cats are very nosy and will investigate everything. Leaving food around what is not for cats is a no go.
Keep your food out of the reach from your cat.
Choose the food wisely and mix it with Fish, Meat and Vegetables. This way your cat will be in a good condition and will have a long healthy life.
Many Indoor cats facing an obesity problem. You must also remember that cats are genuine carnivores. They are natural hunters.
They will not survive on a diet of grains and vegetables. In fact, they don’t need these types of food. They only need meat and fish. A cat body requires a great amount of protein more than any other mammal.
Please note Cats need dry food as well as the wet food. Dry food helps them with their teeth so they stay strong and clean, and the wet food helps for the digestive system. Also, make sure you have always a bowl of water standing beside the dry food.
The drinking water of your cat should be also changed every day.
Please be aware “Cats do not drink cow milk” if you feed your cat the cow milk she can get really sick, as the proteins in the Cow milk are too large for the cat’s digestive system.
This Cow milk will make your cat suffer from diarrhoea, vomiting and intestinal upset. If you want to buy milk for your get then get her the milk for cats you can find them in any pet store.
Your cat loves from time to time a nibble on the cat grass. Make sure you have cat grass available. You can buy cat grass in any pet shop and if you love to grow it your self you can buy the seeds and just plant them. I also buy from our nursery the cat bamboo and our cats love it.
Also, be aware that cats might nibble on some of your plants and you should be aware that some plants can be poison for cats.
Check out the plants you have in your house and make sure they are not poison for your cat.
Unfortunately, cats will go and play with the leaves when they move in the wind and when they bite into it they can get poison.
Here are just a few plants that are toxic for your cat.
Cats love the EMF ( Electro Magnetic Fields) they also love water lines. My cats started in Winter to sleep on my computer or behind the TV.
It took me a while to figure out that they loved the warmth my computer and TV gives off. They also love the rays that were the reason why they chose my computer and the TV Set.
I bought heating pads for my cats with great cat houses and my cats love it and leave my computer and TV alone.
Watch out for cables kittens love to chew them and play with them.
Give your cats the necessary medical care if needed. Ask your Veterinarian for all the information on vaccination and health of your cat. Vaccines are categorized in core and non-core vaccines.
The core vaccines are essential and necessary for your cat’s health to protect them against the respiratory virus, rabies and feline distemper.
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Spaying and neutering will also reduce or eliminate the behaviours that you don’t want, such as aggression and urine marking. Neutered males are less likely to roam, fight, or mark their territory with urine, and spayed females experience less hormone-related moodiness.
Don’t feel bad about neutering or spaying your cat. Think in this way there are so many homeless cats around and animal shelters are filling up with cats. As a responsible cat owner, you should neuter or spay your cat. Unless you want to breed cats.
When you are already at the vet with your cat, have her also microchipped. When a cat is microchipped and runs away because she was scared or lost her way it is easier to get her back as the person who finds her can contact you then. Even if they bring her to shelter the shelter can contact you then easier.
Even when your cat is an indoor cat, provide her with her own Cat-house or Cat -basket. Your cat needs it to get away and feel safe sometimes. It is her place to relax and unwind.
When cats live most of the time outside or outdoors than the cats should have at least a barn or shelter.
Even then you should provide them with a Cat House where they can sleep in.
Do not come to the idea to put cats into a cage if you do, the cats will be crazy.
A Cat is not a bird and cats do not belong in cages. Cats do treasure the freedom to move freely.
Cats love to roam around when they are outside.
Even if cats live inside they still love to roam and go on an adventure tour through your apartment.
If you have an indoor cat, you need to buy a cat toilet either an open one or a closed one.
My preference is the closed one. It gives your cat the privacy she will need. It also looks better.
Also when she is digging too much at least the cat litter is not everywhere on the floor. You can also use a litter box mat to put the litterbox on when you have a wooden floor.
You might have to find out which cat litter your cat likes. Every Cat has there own preferences.
Make sure the cat litter has not to much perfume scent on it, otherwise your cat will not use the cat toilet as the scent of the cat litter is overpowering.
The Cat toilet has to be cleaned on a daily base, this is important.
As cats are really clean and particular. If you do not clean the cat toilet every day, your cat might find another place to take care of its waste. This is certainly not what you want.
If you look at outdoor cats you find them digging up the ground before releasing the waste. Afterwards, they cover their waste.
Cats usually take care of their own grooming so you do not need to worry too much. Cats like to clean themselves using their rough tongue.
I have to say our cat started to lick so much hair off that we started to worry that something was wrong with her.
She had already bold spots on the lower body. There was no change in her routine. We could not explain the reason.
Our vet told us maybe we should brush our cat each day ( even she is a short hair) and we did brush her every day and the licking all the hair off down to the bearskin stopped.
Our vet explained that cats will lose hair ( underwool) and if that is not shed probably the cat has an itchy skin like we humans when we go to the hairdresser and the loose hair get caught in our cloth.
When you have a long hair cat, you need to comb or brush the fur of your cat each day. It is always a sign that something is wrong with your cat when the cat stops grooming herself.
Your cat may not be feeling well. When Cats shed too much hair you can use a brush to get rid of the hair, just make sure it is not too rough on your cat’s fur.
Cats do like to play and like to be entertained. Be aware when your cat gets bored, you might be surprised what she can and will do to get herself entertained.
Cat toys should be stimulating and entertaining for your cat.
What I mean is it should keep them busy for at least 20 minutes. The Cat Mint balls are a favourite toy for lots of cats. My cats love the laser pointer and they chase it like crazy.
There is a lot of cat toys available and I am sure you will find the right toy for your cat.
If you do not want your cats scratching your furniture, then you do need to provide for them a scratch possibility like scratch trees.
You can either buy them, they are available in many forms and shapes.
I have to say my cats do not use our scratch tree so often, but we gave them some carton boxes to scratch and that they do love them.
Please read my blog “ My Cat is scratching my furniture”
Please do not come to the idea to declaw your cat it is cruel and your cat will have her whole life pain. Declawing is major surgery.
Fleas, Ticks, Worms are the more common ones to know.
The not so common ones are the parasites like ear mites and gastrointestinal parasites in cats.
A lot of people worry about toxoplasmosis there is a lot of myth behind it.
Have routine check-ups with your vet at least this way you avoid surprises.
If you want a special kind of Cat Breed than you should do your homework first. Certain cats love to roam at night and need lots of space.
Cat Breeds are also high maintenance like the Ragdoll or the Persian Cat. The Siamese Cat, for example, should not be alone it needs company otherwise it will drive you crazy.
When you have to transport your cat to the vet it is a good idea to use a Carrier bag or Carrier box. There are so many different kinds of boxes and carriers available when buying them your first concern should be, does my cat feels comfortable not how chic it looks.”
Make sure the box is not easily opened by your cat. It is the safest way to transport your cat this way.
It is not common that cats walk on a leash. Cats can wear a collar that is up to you. Some cats don’t mind the collar and some cats will not like the collar.
Make sure the collar will automatically open when the cat is caught on something to avoid choking. ( those collars open when you pull)
A good idea for a cat who is roaming outside is a GPS collar to track the whereabouts of your cat. Note the GPS collar should be waterproof.
Last and not least, watch out for open windows . …. Cats are nosy and like adventure, you might find your self with a scary kitty on the roof of your apartment or just outside on the window ledge.
Keep your cat or cats safe and take precaution to avoid accidents from happing. Cats will jump high and will look for high cupboard space.
Watch out in the kitchen that your cat is not jumping onto the bench when you cook.
Insurance for your cat.It is always a good idea to get insurance for pets. There are different insurances around and one who pays the medical bills is a great investment.
Check out the different companies and get yourself a quote.
We love our cats and nothing is more exciting in having pets. Cats or dogs. The one thing you have to do when you have cats or dogs is taking good care of them as they become a big part of your family.
Having a cat is always said easy and they are easy to handle. Well, every animal has there own soul and cats can be a handful too.
Thank you for reading this post, do you have tips for first-time cat owners we love to hear from you. Please share with friends and family or if you know someone who will be soon a first-time cat owner.
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so long …
Melanie
Click here to go to the story I promised. Molly the lucky cat.
Cats and newborn babies. Your Cat is not dangerous to your newly born Baby.
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