Cats for Dummies (For Dummies Series)

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Although some cat critics claim that the animals are in it only for the food, any cat lover knows otherwise. Cats are in it for the warmth, too. Laps, beds, and even the tops of TVs and computer monitors offer many opportunities for taking nice long naps, which cats spend most of their time doing (see Figure 1-2).

FIGURE 2-1: The promise of a lifetime of companionship can be seen in the eyes of a kitten. Adult cat considerations Three combination vaccinations at three- to four-week intervals, starting at the age of six to nine weeks. Feline leukemia vaccination after initial testing; if test is positive, discuss lifestyle limitations with your veterinarian. Rabies vaccination at 12 to 16 weeks, or as required by law.

Important Things You Should Know Before Bringing a Cat Home

When people think about adding a cat to their lives, many seem to automatically think kitten. And why not? A kitten seems to make perfect sense, a little fluffball who’ll grow into your household and your heart. For some people, though, an adult cat is a better option and more people are seeing it that way. Even if you’re perfectly set up for a kitten, you ought to consider an adult as well, for you’ll find many wonderful pets among the ranks of grown cats, and most will never get a second chance to show how perfect they can be. Don’t rule out either before you consider each fairly. Everyone loves kittens! Cats aren’t that complicated, but there is a lot of new information about them that is pretty new. We’ve put all that new information conveniently here in Cats For Dummies while updating the information from previous editions. You just won’t find that anywhere else. We know, because as expert feline veterinarians and pet-care writers, we’ve seen all the wrong and even dangerous information that's out there. Forget ancient Egypt, where the cat was honored as a god. The Golden Age of the Cat is now. More is written about cats, shared online about cats, and said about cats today than in all the generations before. Cats are the subject of musicals and movies, of research into their diseases, and of business reports that tally the billions of dollars spent worldwide to keep them healthy, clean, and amused. In the technology-heavy and time-short societies of developed countries, more people are discovering what poets, artists, and cat worshippers have known all along: Cats are much more than dog lite, they are cats: affectionate, beautiful, companions in their own right.

If you’re ready to welcome a beautiful cat into your home, read this guide! Cats might seem relatively independent and low-maintenance, but they actually need plenty of interaction and care. Whether you’re considering adopting a cat or buying a kitten and watching them grow up, you’ll want to make sure you can provide for their needs for the rest of their life.

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Try to limit exposure to other allergens. Avoid cleaning solutions, aerosol products, cigarette smoke, and strong perfumes and consider using a mask while doing yard work and housework, especially at the height of the pollen season. Better yet: Get someone else to mow the lawn, do the vacuuming, and clean the litter box. Again, keeping all allergies under control can help your body handle your cat more easily. Finally, consider the matter of time. An adult cat does quite well on her own alone in the house while you work — most of the time she’s sleeping anyway. A kitten needs your time, for raising her and for watching over her to keep her out of trouble. Photo depicts the kitten, in which those eyes shows the promise of a lifetime of companionship. Indeed, that is why we proclaimed previously in this article that one could not physically conduct this experiment, even if they so desired.