The scary thing is, I think a lot of people think it is the proper way to pick a cat up
I am sure you are right. When we home a cat and with every voucher I send our a tips page , notice the first one:-KEEPING YOUR CAT HAPPY
Never pick a cat up by the scruff of the neck; you can cause serious damage.
TEASING YOUR PET, IF ONLY IN PLAY IS OFTEN THE START OF THE PET TURNING INTO AN AGGRESSIVE PET.
Cats homed as indoor cats must NEVER go out. As you will realize a cat does not know it is an indoor cat so if tempted by an open door or window will attempt to go outside. Or we may be tempted to open the door if the cat keeps crying at the door. However we must remember we are the adults and we know the dangers out there, the cats don't. It is also not a good idea to have a harness and lead, many cats have escaped and others have actually hung themselves when left outside alone for a while. Cats homed that are able to go out should be kept in for 2 months and kittens should be kept in for 6 months. NEVER let a cat out once it's dark and don't leave it out during the day while you are out at work or have gone shopping. Over 100.000 cats go missing each year, dog fighting; the fur trade and research are some of the reasons. If you lose a cat report it missing immediately, this gives a greater chance of getting it back.
HEALTHCARE
Food and water bowls should be washed after each use and never used twice.
It is a good idea to have all cats injected against cat flu and enteritis and for cats that go out for feline leukaemia, at the present time there is no injection for feline aids.
Comb your cat every day, this helps to prevent fur balls and is a vital check for flea. Please note that it is just as important to worm and flea indoor cats regularly and the best products are only available at your vets .e.g at Carrick vets you can ring and ask for a free nurse check after that you can purchase the best treatments from them. Also the treatments from vets are cost effective as most importantly they work. Check your cats ears on a regular basis for ear mites, untreated they can lead to serious ear damage. FRONTLINE SPRAY LASTS 2 MONTHS AND DRONTAL OR MILBEMAX WORM TABS LAST 3 MONTHS. CATS WITH FLEAS WILL HAVE TAPE WORMS. (it is also necessary to spray the home once a year with something like Staykill.)
Although we always home white cats as indoor cats if you have one from elsewhere and you let it out they MUST as indeed should all cats with white ears/nose have sun block (Sun E45 is non-toxic to cats) put on them before they go out, indoor cats should also have it on if they sit on the window ledges. Cancer due to the sun of the ears and sometimes the nose is common. If your cat is ill see the vet, all vets are on call 24 hours a day and a timely visit could save your cats life. LEAVING IT TILL TOMORROW COULD BE TOO LATE.
FEEDING
Always leave a bowl of fresh water down, it's not often drunk, but it is there if the cat needs it. Remember milk is a food not a drink and gives many cats loose motions, as does food served straight from the fridge. Indoor cats benefit from having 1 Halibut Liver Oil capsule once a week.
LITTER TRAYS
Always provide a litter tray irrespective of your cats age even if they are allowed out, if you keep an eye on what your cat is passing, you can spot many problems, e.g, cystitis is very common in cats and needs urgent Veterinary treatment. It is shown up if the cat uses the tray frequently and or, passes blood, something you would never know if you had no tray. We find that the wood pellets are excellent there is no smell of urine whatsoever.
CAT COLLARS
Are considered extremely dangerous. Far better to have a cat micro chipped, you can either contact your vet or Elaine 01246 xxxxx we have 5 fosterers qualified to microchip.
MANY CAYS HAVE LOST THEIR LIFE BY WEARING A COLLAR OR THE OWNERS TAKING THEIR CAT OUT ON A HARNESS. PLEASE DON’T USE THEM.
IF YOU FIND WHAT YOU THINK IS A STRAY, PLEASE DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S PREGNANT OR IF A MALE IN A BAD WAY UNTIL YOU REPORT IT, PLEASE GIVE US A RING STRAIGHT AWAY AND ASK FOR ADVICE.
RSPCA INSPECTOR 08705555999 IF YOU SUSPECT ANY NEGLECT REMEMBERS WE ARE AN ANIMALS ONLY VOICE.
