Photos of Ziggy!

Photos of Ziggy!

Caring for Cats

Like all pets, cats need people to care for them, to feed them and look after their needs. You can get information on the care of cats and the responsibilities of their owners from specialist books, from vets and from animal protection societies. Here are a few tips to get you started.

General Care

Even though cats have a reputation for being independent, the owner must give them plenty of attention and affection. A daily, balanced diet specially formulated for cats will help them to live in good health for a long time. It is essential to give them regular fresh water. The litter tray needs to be hygienic to prevent disease and some cats refuse to use a dirty litter tray. A cat’s claws need to be kept short, if the cat lives indoors, it will need a scratching post, made of a rough fabric. Cats lick themselves to get clean and, in so doing, swallow the dead hairs. All cats, even shorthaired ones, need to be brushed every week to remove these hairs from their fur and prevent the formation of hair balls in the stomach. Some long haired cats, such as the Persian or Himalayan, need to be combed every day to make sure that their long, silky fur doesn’t become tangled.

Cleaning your Cat

Generally, short haired cats have a coat that is much simpler to maintain than that of a long haired cat. For short haired cats, it will be enough to brush them just once or twice a week, to help them to keep their fur clean, shiny and healthy and to remove dead hairs. Some breeds, whose hair is particularly thick, such as the manx cat or the British shorthair, need more rigorous attention.  You will need a rubber brush, a fine comb, a soft brush, a glossing lotion and a piece of chamois leather to get the best results. For reasons of hygiene, it is better to brush the cat outside the house, to avoid parasites, hairs and dust to get into your carpets, etc. Most cats appreciate being groomed and regard it as a mark of affection, like being stroked.

Children and Cats

For many people, children and cats are like cats and dogs, parents are frightened that the child will be scratched or bitten. However, cats prefer children to adults and will not usually harm a child unless the child is too rough. Cats can be very patient with children. However, children must learn how to handle the cat gently and not to harass it. Cats love warmth and will sometimes slip into the cot but will not do anything bad. Children often want a pet. Before making the cat-child introductions, explain to the child that the cat is a living creature and that it must be treated gently. Show him how to make the correct movements towards the cat and tell him that a cat hates noise, sudden movements and shouts. After that, sit back and watch the growing bond between the cat and the child.

Toys

When cats play, they are developing their hunting skills, the toy becomes his pray. By encouraging your cat to play regularly, you are helping him to keep in shape psychologically and physically. Playing is, of course, the best antidote for boredom. Kittens and cats, like children, are full of imagination and quickly perceive the potential toy hidden in each object. When the cat plays, it is happy and wags its tail. Cats find as much pleasure in exploring a carton or box, a fight with a ball of wool, chewing a pencil as they do from a toy which has been designed for them. Encouragement to play will only require a little ingeniousness from you.

Travel and Moving Home

Cats are creatures of habit, and nothing will make your pet more anxious than a change in its environment. Your cat will be nervous when you first bring it home, when you move, when you go away on holiday, or when another animal or child arrives in the family. Cats recognise the signs of changes coming very quickly, for example when it sees your suitcases. Let your cat have chance to familiarise himself with his basket before D-day. On moving day, keep your cat in the house, so that it doesn’t disappear before the journey. Reassure him by feeding him, giving him a drink and comfort him by talking to him and stroking him. When he arrives, he will inspect his new home and mark his territory. Above all, don’t let him out until he has had enough time to adapt or he will probably get lost. With the passing of a few days, he will learn how to make his place in this new environment.

Choosing a Kitten

A cat can live more than 15 years and will need care and affection all his life. If you accept this responsibility, make sure you choose a good companion. A kitten needs more care than an adult cat but adapts more easily to a new home. It is best not to take a kitten from its mother until it is at least three months old. A healthy kitten is lively, playful and alert but sleeps a lot.

Every breed has its own temperament. You need to ensure that the kitten will adapt to your lifestyle.

If you are away a lot, adopt two kittens, so that they have company. Now, you need to find a cat. Ask your vet to recommend a breeder if you want a specific breed or private individuals for those without a pedigree. A kitten needs calm, so don’t attack the new arrival; leave it to adapt to the new home.

Be careful to chose your kitten well, and try to  make sure it is healthy. You must check:
- The ears: they should not be torn or bitten or filled with wax or other secretions. An unpleasant odour can indicate an infection.
- The eyes: must be clear and shiny, without secretions. A runny or blocked nose is a sign of disease.
- The mouth: open the kitten’s mouth to check that there are no broken teath. The gums and the tongue should be pink and health.
- The coat: This should be clean and shiny with no small black spots (fleas). Hair loss or bald patches are a sign of infection.
- The anus: If this is dirty, the kitten has a digestive problem. The presence of what looks like grains of rice means that the kitten has tape worms.
You can find kittens in many places but you need to make sure they are healthy. You can get also get a kitten or adult cat from a shelter.

Disappearances

The vagrancy of cats varies in frequency, duration and frequency. Cats behaviour is far from being predictable and cats can return at any time. When your cat disappears for a long time, there are certain things you can do to see if the cat has really got lost. Try to remember where you last saw it. Cats are never in the place where you would expect to find them! Search all the rooms in your house, not forgetting cupboards and the recesses where cats love to hide. If your cat has disappeared, ask round your neighbours to see if they have seen him. After about 24 hours, call the vets and animal shelters in case he has been taken there. Put up posters wherever you can, someone may be able to tell you something. The final thing to do is wait and make regular tours of your neighbourhood.

Obesity

More and more cats are becoming obese and studies show that 30-50% of the feline population is overweight. Obesity can be as big a problem for cats as it is for humans. Prevention is the best remedy. The weight of a cat varies according to breed, from 2.7 kgs to 8 kgs. It is very easy to see if your cat is over weight by palpating his ribs., if you can’t feel them, your cat needs a good diet. Start by removing the cat biscuits, feed at difficult times… Respect portion sizes. Try to make sure that he is goes outside for exercise and burns up the calories. Putting a cat on a diet is not easy. They should be weighed regularly like people.

Feeding your Kitten

In spite of the small size of their stomachs, kittens have three times the energy needs of an adult cat, because they use more energy, they need more energy to grow and especially proteins to keep in good health. The transition from mother’s milk to adult food must be done gradually. Cats can be picky eaters and they need to be given a varied and balanced diet from an early age to teach them good feeding habits. To start your kitten well, give him small amounts of milk often. Use the special kitten milk. The kitten can continue to drink milk until he is six months old, then it is preferable that he drinks water. There are foods specially adapted to each stage of their lives. A cat fed on dry biscuits must have fresh water permanently available.

Cherish your Cat

The rise of alternative medicines means that cat care does not solely depend on drugs. There are also many accesorries, delicacies and toys to help you spoil your cat. A nervous cat can be helped with prepartions based on plant extracts, called essential oils. In general only buy things that reflect the normal behaviour of cats. Cat trees and tunnels are really appreciated, as are toys such as mice and balls, whilst scratching posts help the cat to keep his claws clean and protect your furniture.  For bedding, there is a great deal of choice. Cats appreciate warmth and soft beds. It is also easy to cherish your cat with a balanced diet.

Safety at Home


Cats have very curious natures and don’t seem to have any inhibitions. Yous must protect them from the dangers in your home proving your attention and authority. They can slip anywhere and are thus more exposed to danger. The kitchen is a dangerous place as cats can jump on hot cookers. A cat looking for a corner to sleep in, can get into a tumble drier, which could be fatal. Young cats, sharpening their teeth, can bite electric cables, risking electrocution. Some indoor plants can be toxic if your cat eats them. It is always a good idea to check your windows, especially if you live in an apartment; you could put netting over them.

My cats

Hi All

I have had cat companions for a long time and I'd like to introduce you to a few of them!

This is Ziggy our current cat. She is a year old and we got her just before Christmas 2016 from Avon Cat Rescue.

This older gentleman is Jasper who we lost in June 2016 as his kidneys gave up. I'd had him since he was a kitten in 2004.

This is Jasper with his good friend Smurfy. Smurfy just turned up one day when I was living at a farm miles from anywhere. He just moved in and stayed. I came home one evening and he had lost all the fur from his tail and had to have it amputated. He was a really good looking Tuxedo cat.

I had two cats when we lived in France in the 1990s - Smudgy and Heidi. A friend used to rescue kittens from a farmer who would throw the kittens against a wall!