September 01, 2009
What's in This Issue:
Apologies! I was scheduling my e-zine articles (something I do when I have a little time to keep ahead of them) and mistakenly sent one on August 15. I apologize for the incomplete issue being sent.
Updates to the site
 Pet Supplies - Cat Supplies - Pet Meds |
I'm still working the house, but construction itself is winding down. It's all the finish work, now. I'm packing madly getting ready to move next month.
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Articles
Handling Your Cat
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Your New Kitten - Part III By Michael D. Rosenthal
Vet School Feature
September Offers
Don't forget the interactive pages...
Bragging Rights For Readers
Bad Cat Behaviors From Readers
Submit Your Story or Tribute
These pages are all user-generated! That means you can write about your cat, your favorite cat story, or get help from other visitors (sometimes even me!) if you have a serious problem with a cat.
Use the Cat Whisperer Contact form if you or a friend has a problem that is involved or delicate.
Handling Your Cat
Many folks look like they are just hanging the cat from the belly in one hand. Others pick up their cat by the scruff of the neck, or by the front legs. All these techniques can injure your cat - especially if your cat is over 10 pounds...So, how should one pick up or otherwise handle their cat? How should you train children to handle your cat?
Here are some ways that will help...
This is a photo of the top and hind quarters being supported properly.
This is another version of holding the cat correctly.
This cat is held away from the body correctly. Note the support of the hind quarters and main weight of the cat.
This cat is held in a more confined hold.
This cat is held on it's back (similar to the Scoop-n-Smooch hold).
How to hold the animal's head to examine the teeth.
This is a restraint to keep the cat from walking away.
This is another view.
This cat is not being held correctly. There is no support for the hind quarters, which can cause damage to the spine and internal organs.
This cat is only held by the center and upper body - with no support for the lower body. We may not be seeing the body supported on a table or by a support outside the frame.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Your New Kitten - Part III By Michael D. Rosenthal
In Part II of the "6 Most Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Your New Kitten, I covered the subjects of grooming your kitten and dealing with their energy levels. This is the third and final part of the series and deals with the following questions:· How do I know if my kitten is growing properly?
· When is it necessary for me to take my kitten to the veterinarian?
How do I know if my kitten is growing properly? A standard rule of thumb with early feline growth patterns is that a kitten typically gains about 100 grams per week during the first six months of its life. Sometimes they will gain up to 1 pound per month, and the males tend to gain weight quicker and be larger than the females. There are three things that you should notice in order to realize that your kitten is growing the right way. Your kitten should be:
1. eating well
2. exhibiting a normal amount of playfulness
3. having normal bowel movements
Here are a few suggestions. If there is a concern about your kitten's behavior and growth, then by all means, take it to your veterinarian. If you are raising the kitten on a bottle-feeding regimen, then keep a journal daily to note how much weight they are gaining on a daily basis (your veterinarian will appreciate this). Finally, another key aspect is your kitten's ribcage. They should have some padding around the ribs, so that they are not sticking out, so to speak. If their ribs are too prominent, then you should contact your veterinarian for an appointment.
When is it necessary for me to take my kitten to the veterinarian? Kittens come into the house from a variety of different places. Typically, they come from one of the following sources:
· Breeders (or a "cattery")
· Farms
· the outdoors in general
· Pet stores
· Shelters
Long before you adopted them and brought them into your home, they could have picked up a health condition or disease from another cat and just started showing signs of something being wrong since you brought them home. The following 7 behaviors (or signs) should be perceived as "red flags" and you should get your kitten to the vet ASAP:
· Black ear discharge that accompanies frequent itching and/or "digging" at the ear
· Continual or frequent vomiting
· Diarrhea or (conversely) a difficulty passing bowel movements
· Discharge from the eye or nose and sneezing (could indicate an upper respiratory tract infection
· Lethargy and lack of eating
· Loss of hair or a rash
· Not defecating or urinating in the litter-box, or straining while they are using the litter box
There is no other pet that you can bring into your home that is quite as amazing as a new kitten, and that first year of their lives is equally as phenomenal considering that within those 12 months, they attain adulthood. It is imperative that you sharpen your knowledge about feline preventative health because more than anything else, you want to establish a strong base in order to support that kitten the rest of its life.
Visit the author's feline health site now for more great tips. And be sure to grab your free information package on cat health insurance that can protect your feline friend from illness and injury.
Vet School Feature
I talk about veterinarians like they are demi-Gods on this site. But let's face it, it's tough to be a vet! I admire them. I wish I could handle knives, needles and all that stuff so maybe I could be one. I can't, so I'm not. I'm an engineer instead. No blood, you know? So, here are a couple of freebies I found a while ago that I'm finally passing on to you.Some Myths about admissions to Vet colleges.
Free evaluation form to evaluate the Vet college you are considering.
These are only offered here, so they are another benefit of subscribing to CatLover Magazine!
September Offers
Flea Kits for Cats and Dogs
Drop Dead Savings until September 17, 2009!
Primal Food
Come With Me Kitty Harness & Bungee Leash
BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing, 4th Edition
The Veterinary Technician's Pocket Partner: A Quick Access Reference
Start your Christmas Shopping early by getting some fab boots that actually fit! These are the best shoes I've found - these and Chacos. Try them if you have a wide foot, you won't be disappointed.
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