TheCompleteCat.com Blog

There’s something neat about bringing home a new kitten, almost as magical as the aroma that oozes all around you when you bring home a brand new car.

I brought Emma home on a cold November night four years ago, a gift from my friend Kim who had rescued her from a Pet Store cage. We didn’t know how old this little tabby cat was, probably five or six months, but she was lively enough and seemed to have a gentle temperament and she immediately charmed my pants off. When we got home, I setup a few things Kim had provided me — Emma’s litter box, water dish and so on. I tried to make Emma as comfortable as possible, but it was obvious she was having a bit of trouble getting oriented to her new surroundings. There wasn’t much I could do about that, but I hoped she’d survive the night and we could spend more time in the morning getting to know each other better.

When I got up the next morning, she was no where to be found. I checked everywhere. Under the bed and sofa, all throughout my office, in the bathtub … even checked out the hallway of my apartment building until it dawned on me that no matter how strong she was, there ain’t no way a little ball of fur was going to get that door opened. Duh!

I finally found her huddled in the dark recesses of one of the kitchen cupboards that had a broken door (one of the many repair projects I hadn’t got around to), which gave her access to the back corner between an old frying pan and a bag of sponges. With relief, I finally lured her out with a handful of kitty num-nums and we started the process of getting to know each other. Fortunately, that didn’t take too long. There’s something about being the hand that feeds them that will get a kitten’s affection in no time at all.

I learned quickly that a kitten has a lot of energy and if you don’t provide an outlet for it, they will find one of their own. She was quick to discover a cork board I had leaning against my computer desk and before I knew it, she had claimed it for her own, turning it into a massive pile of rubble, cork droppings everywhere, until I had to hide it in the closet. So I went out and bought her some expensive cat toys, some of which she liked, but many of which she lost interest in very quickly. I discovered that a lot of everyday articles were just as effective as expensive toys. A rolled up sheet of aluminum foil was just as much fun to knock around as those little fake mice that cost a couple of bucks each. Her favorite all time plaything turned out to be a big empty cardboard box filled with styro foam packing that I hadn’t got around to throwing away after I got a new TV. She loves jumping into the box and dissecting bits of white foam into oblivion and the side of the box has become as scarred as that poor cork board that I finally brought back out for her scratching pleasure.

As is the nature of cats, Emma spends lots of time licking her fur, which is nice because giving a cat a bath is not an experience any normal human being should ever have to live through. I do give her a good brushing from time to time, but since she’s an American Shorthaired tabby cat, there isn’t the constant requirement as would be the case with longhaired cats. She’s never had a major problem with hairballs, which is one thing to consider if you’re trying to decide between a shorthaired or longhaired cat.

Another thing I decided early on was that Emma would eat when I ate. That way I wouldn’t have her hanging around the dinner table while I ate since she’d be preoccupied with her own grub. This is an absolute rule and it’s worked out very well since now she never, for the most part, bothers me for food before the appointed time. I usually knock off work at the computer about 4:00 o’clock, do some reading for a half hour or so, have a quick cat nap and then by 5:00 o’clock it’s time to get dinner for both of us. Sometimes, of course, Emma’s timing is off by an hour or so. When that happens, she can be relentless, but absolute rules are absolute rules, so I just keep on working.

On those days, usually around 3:00 or 3:30, she jumps up and plops her butt directly on my keyboard or mouse and it’s quite clear that she is on a mission. The thing is, this is a battle she will never win no matter how sweetly she rubs her forehead against mine. I can work quite well with a top-heavy mouse, although typing can get a bit ticklish at times since, as we all know, cats and mice don’t usually get along very well. Slap a human hand in between the two and it can get a bit dicey. And like I said, at 3:45 I usually knock off work and you know, one day last week I’d worked so hard, I just had to knock off work at 3:33 I was so, ah, hungry … and one day next week I’m planning a special 3:00 dinner at noon … sigh.

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Glenn Cutforth is a writer, eBook publisher and graphic designer.
Visit his websites at: The Complete Cat and How To Classics.com
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Tabby Cats: 2006 Wall Calendar

Welcome to L.I.F.E. Animal Rescue
… A comfortable environment. Kids and cats. Give kitty some space … KIDS AND CATS. Children and cats/kittens are often a wonderful combination, full of love and adorably cute, and yet …

I’ve seen a lot of mean, nasty stray cats lurking in alleyways that could just about take your hand off with one vicious swipe of its paw. These are cats you likely don’t want to mess with if you’re not interested in a fast visit to your doctor.

For the most part, however, cats are not aggressive towards people, but if you do find yourself with one that is, it can be a real nightmare. Cat bites and scratches are not usually as harmful as those from a dog, but it’s still not nice for an adult to be attacked by a cat, and much worse for a child.

Even though dogs tend to be more aggressive than cats, there are still more than 20,000 cases of cat-scratch disease in the United States every year. If you’re badly bitten or scratched by a cat, make sure you clean your wounds with an antiseptic solution as soon as possible to prevent infection.

So, why exactly do cats turn aggressive and attack people? Well, there are several reasons:

A cat in pain tends to lash out. If your cat is normally good-natured, but suddenly strikes out at you for no reason, in all likelihood they’ve somehow sustained an injury or illness. If this behavior continues, it’s a good idea to take her to a vet and have her checked out.

A fearful cat can also be dangerous. A mature cat that was never socialized properly when younger, or a cat that has been mistreated at some time in its life can lash out through fear. Some cats may also start to direct the kind of stalking behavior normally reserved for prey, at their owner’s hands or feet. This can be particularly upsetting if it’s directed at small children, so be careful.

Sometimes an owner can be the victim of re-directed aggression, such as when the cat attacks the owner when it cannot get at its intended target, perhaps another cat it can see or smell.

Cats rarely play status games the way dogs do, but occasionally you’ll get one that thinks it’s Top Cat and indulges in behavior where it challenges the owner to prove it’s wrong. The best solution for this behavior is professional help from a cat behavior specialist to sort this out before it has a chance to escalate out of control.

In summary, here are some do’s and don’ts if you find yourself with an aggressive cat:

Have the cat checked over by a vet for signs of illness or injury.

Scale down the amount of physical contact with the cat.

When it goes into ‘attack mode,’ try to startle it with a loud noise etc. as a diversionary tactic.

Don’t get too close when playing with the cat. Try to stay ‘at arms length’ by using e.g. a toy on a string held away from the body.

If the cat’s behaviour becomes intolerable, it may be necessary to confine it to a cage, particularly if a young child is at risk.

Don’t make prolonged eye contact, always look away from the cat’s eyes after a few seconds.

Some people will strike a cat when it becomes overly aggressive. Don’t do it. Physical punishment will only make the cat more aggressive.

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Glenn Cutforth is a writer, eBook publisher and graphic designer.
Visit his websites at: The Complete Cat and HowToClassics.com
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What Cats Are?: 2006 Wall Calendar

Cat Fanciers’ Association: Breed Profile: Turkish Angora
An in depth look into the Turkish Angora breed, whose origins are in Turkey.

Think Like a Cat : How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat–Not a Sour Puss

A lot of people are exclusively “cat people” not just because they’re easier to manage than dogs, but because they want a house pets that doesn’t require a lot of extra work. Dogs do require a lot more work, however, I’d like to point out a few things you might want to consider when choosing a cat.

First of all, if you’ve decided to bring a feline into your household, make sure you make your decision in a way that works best for both you, your family and the animal.

Some cats are highly energetic and they may be fun to watch, but they could also be a real challenge to care for. If you have a baby or small kids, keep that in mind. On the other hand, a shy, sensitive cat probably wouldn’t thrive in a loud and boisterous household. It’s always a good idea to evaluate your family’s lifestyle first so you can find a cat with similar needs.

Some people prefer purebred cats, while others are thrilled to have any basic domestic tabby. One thing you should consider is hair length. Long-haired cats require regular brushing and combing, but tend to shed less than short-haired cats. Also, you should decide if you have the time to raise a kitten, or if a mature adult fits better with your lifestyle and needs. Once you’re made that decision, it’s time to start your search.

There are many places you can find cats, from local animal shelters to the classified ads in your local paper and even through the Internet. When you find a cat that catches your eye, make sure you ask lots of questions about it’s history and health. Spend some time watching her and how she reacts to you. Is she vocal and friendly or is she aloof? The way she behaves when you are a stranger will give you great insight into a cat’s personality.

To be honest, I believe that we do not choose our pets … they choose us. So it’s always a good idea to try to interact with your potential feline friend before deciding. Some cats are shy around strangers, but confident and friendly with their caretakers. Some cats are skittish and nervous around everyone. And keep in mind that a cat in a shelter environment may act completely different than they usually would because of the stress and noise they have been living with in the shelter.

The people who operate the humane society usually gather a complete history of the animal, so they should be able to give you some idea of the cat’s likes and dislikes, whether they are comfortable around children and how they interact with other cats.

If you have other pets at home, make sure you consider their personalities as well. If you currently have a cat that more than 10 years old and is used to being the only cat in the household, she might not be willing to accept a newcomer. If you have an aggressive dog with a high prey drive, bringing home a high-energy kitten may be asking for trouble.

Another thing to consider if you have no pets at home is adopting two cats. You can often get special pricing from animal shelters and the cats will make great companions for one another when nobody is home.

Remember, when you bring a cat into your home, you are making a commitment to take care of her needs. With advances in cat nutrition and veterinary services, cats can live 15-20 years. So, before you consider bringing a cat into your household, make sure you are willing and able to take care of her for life.

For cat lovers who really like to pamper their pet, visit us at at TheCompleteCat.com, and download a copy of my free ebook, Pamper Your Cat. You’ll get dozens of gourmet cat recipes that you can whip up to make your feline friend a real happy cat.

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Glenn Cutforth is a writer, eBook publisher and graphic designer.
Visit his websites at: The Complete Cat.com and HowToClassics.com
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