Frequently Asked Questions about your cat or kitten:

Buying a Cat or Kitten But, I want a baby kitten!, not one 4 months old! How can I tell if I'm talking to a reputable breeder? Do I Spay/Neuter or not?   Does my cat need a companion? How often and how do I groom my cat? Are pet shop kittens alright? Why do purebred cats from known breeders cost so much? Health Issues Do I give my cat rabies shots or not? Do I give my cats immunizations nasally or not At What age should I get my kitten their shots? What Shots should they receive. We recently got a new kitten. We noticed she had little red sores and streaks under her fur about 3 weeks after we got her. The fur is falling out around these areas, and she scratches a lot. Now both of my children have similar sores. They really itch and seem to be spreading. What is this? I'm pregnant. Should I get rid of my cat? I want to de-claw my new kitten! Will I be best suited for a longhair or shorthair kitty I think my cat has allergies! I have allergies. Is there a breed of cat that wont affect my allergies.? Food and Nutrition Issues What kind of food do I feed my cat/kitten?   Can my purebred cat go outside? How will my kitten/cat get along with my small child?   My bed or the cats bed? What type of litter is best for my cat?   Behavioral Issues Why does my cat chew on lamp cords? How do I introducing a new cat to my household? Can't I train my cat to do ANYTHING? Cat Grooming How do I trim my cats nails? How do I give my cat a bath? How often and how do I groom my cat? What else is in my house that can harm my cat/kitten? Q: At What age should I get my kitten their shots? What Shots should they receive. Answer:   Most breeders have their kittens vaccinated when they are between 6 and 12 weeks old. This period is for "kitten" shots. Three diseases are generally covered; Feline Panleucopenia (sometimes called feline distemper), Calici and Rhinotrachetis. A fourth disease is sometimes added, Chlamydia. If shots are started at 6 weeks, then a series of 3 shots should be given at 6 , 9, and 12 weeks. If shots are started at 8 weeks or older, a second shot should be given 4 weeks later or at 12 weeks of age. These shots are valid for one year. If the cats are ever outside, they should be vaccinated against rabies as well. One shot is given for rabies. 4 months is acceptable in nearly all areas. Some allow for 3 months of age. This first rabies shot is valid for one year. Subsequent shots are valid for 3 years. A series of shots are given for 2 reasons. To provide protection when the mommy cats immunity wears off, and in case the kitten does not have a really good immune system, the first shot "wakes up" the immune system and begins to establish immunity. Follow up shots provide a booster effect toward developing immunity.  Q: We recently got a new kitten. She is a solid Himalayan. We noticed she had little red sores and streaks under her fur about 3 weeks after we got her. The fur is falling out around these areas, and she scratches a lot. Now both of my children have similar sores. They really itch and seem to be spreading. What is this? Answer: Your cat and your children probably have skin fungus. It is often called ringworm. Although it is not a worm at all. It is more closely related to mushrooms. It is one of the very few diseases that transfers from cats to humans, called zoohotic. And it is very contagious, as you well know, to just about anything that has fur or hair. Call your doctor and also your veterinarian. Fungus is no longer the scourge it once was. You no longer have to shave your children's heads to get effective treatment. It will be easier to treat the cat if she is clipped down. But only if you are not planning to show her for several months. There are now several products that can be used topically that are available at your drug store; Tinactin, and Nizoral. Creams and ointments can be use on both cats and people. Tincture of iodine and mild bleach solution can be used on humans. Iodine is poisonous to cat! BEWARE! There are also several drugs that treat the disease systemically. Your doctor and Veterinarian can prescribe them. There is also a recent homeopathic treatment called baccillium, that is working well in many catteries. There are some unusual varieties of fungus that can invade tissues besides skin. So you should definitely contact your doctor and veterinarian before trying to treat this on you own. Q: I am pregnant and my Dr and Husband want me to get rid of my Siamese cat. The doctor says cats carry some disease that can harm my baby. My husband just wants our baby to be safe. So do I. But, my cat was my first baby, and I don't want her to go. What are they so concerned about, and is there anything to this. Answer: There is validity to what they say. But, over the years it has been blown way out of proportion. Toxoplasmosis is a disease carried by many animals including small birds, lizards, frogs, sheep, goats, cows, and cats. If a pregnant woman does contract this disease, it can be extremely harmful, even fatal to her unborn child. So, obviously it is very dangerous. But, the unfortunate part is that few house pet cats actually carry the disease. If the cat lives indoors, is fed well cooked or commercially prepared food and does not hunt small bird, mice, etc, it is very unlikely to carry the toxoplasmosis. You would be more likely to contract the disease by eating undercooked meat. You can also take additional precautions just in case to add to your safety. Exposure to the disease is from "oocysts" a form of egg in the cats stool. The oocysts do not become infectious for the first 48 hours. To insure your safety, you should adopt safe handling of cat waste. The litter pan should be completely changed each day, and the box disinfected. New litter should be used each day. Scooping waste material does not provide adequate protection. It can still contain the microscopic oocysts. If you can't get someone else to do the litter pan, then use plastic or rubber gloves - plastic bags or litter pan liners so you don't touch the litter barehanded. And good cleanup afterwards. No reason to have to get rid of your "Meser"(aka Siamese) if you are careful.

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