Don’t let curiosity kill your cat

Cats are unique…they will follow scents and odours, play with the strangest objects and get into places you would never dream of venturing into; in short, go where no man (or pet) has gone before. And as a responsible cat parent, it’s time we saw our homes through our feline’s eyes, and cat-proofed our homes.

Ideally, the best time to cat-proof your home is before your cat comes home. Here are the potential dangers your kitty can face: 

Dangers within home

Beware of hideaways: Beware of uncovered drains, nooks, drawers and cupboards that your cat can crawl into and get trapped in. It’s best to keep these closed off and to regularly check to make sure you know where your kitty is hiding. 

Cleaners - a poison for kitties: Laundry and household cleaning products also pose deadly risks. Keeping these atop a cupboard will not make them out of reach for your cat, so make sure these are securely closed. 

Other traps: Doors, recliners, pot pourri, medicine cabinets and garbage cans are other household traps. 

Electricity dangers: Plug points, power cords and wires are very tempting to playful cats but can cause serious shocks, burns and even death. Install baby guards on the former and roll away or hide wires under carpets or tape them down. Mobile chargers are particularly tempting, so don’t leave them plugged in. Use Tabasco or citrus scents to dissuade your cat. 

Plants: Indoor plants (like mistletoe, poinsettia, lilies, Christmas trees and hydrangea) are poisonous, as are certain seeds like apple, apricot, cherry, plum, peach and castor. 

Foods to watch: Certain foods that humans enjoy are harmful for cats – onion and garlic cause anaemia, baking powder, soda and yeast cause serious physiological and heart problems. Fatty foods (include dairy products) could cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. Chocolate, coffee, nutmeg and grapes are other danger foods. 

Small objects: Unsafe toys include yarn, wool and any toy dangling from a long string, small shiny objects (like Christmas decorations or pins) and candle flames (yes!). 

Dangers outside home

Outdoor hazards: If your cat is going to have access to the outdoors, hazards include toxic plants, vehicles, predators (dogs, feral cats and snakes), prey (insects and reptiles), parasites (fleas, ticks and worms) and diseases (like feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency syndromes which are spread through saliva). 

Unwanted pregnancies: There is also the risk of unwanted pregnancies in your queen and your pet could run into trouble with the law by breaking into a home for a tasty treat. 

A word of caution: Also, make sure that your pet has a collar with identification and has a way to get back into the house, or at least a place where he can find shelter from the elements and predators. Try and limit his territory to your compound wall and take care to avoid toxic plants (like oleander, ivy, mushroom, tomato, bean plants and cactus) in your garden. Some grasses and leaves like bamboo and lemongrass may not be poisonous but will cause vomiting and bleeding because of their sharp edges. 

So, if you must allow your cat access to the outdoors, make sure he is neutered, vaccinated and dewormed regularly and has regular check ups to check for cuts, diseases and infections. A little caution and vigilance is all it takes to keep your pet protected. We know that they are worth the effort so don’t delay in making your home a safe place for your cat!

Ask the Expert.. May-June 09

Q: My cat Krishna, who is two years old, ate a cockroach recently and had some digestive problem thereafter. Please advice if the problem was due to the cockroach or any other factor. How should I prevent my cat from doing the same in the future? z - Ajesh. V, Malappuram

 

A: Dr. K. G. Umesh:
Cats are true carnivores (meat eaters) and their diet consisting of small preys such as rodents, birds, fish, reptiles and insects. They generally prey items which are rich in water, protein & fat and low in carbohydrate & ash (minerals) and they have no requirement for plant materials. Hunting is entirely natural for cats and takes place even when they are well fed at home.

There is really no point in trying to punish/correct your cat for hunting as it is part of his nature that is so deeply rooted that to try and eliminate it may cause him a lot of confusion. Playing ‘catching games’ with your cat using toys may help to relieve some of his urge to hunt. It is important to worm your cat regularly, particularly if he hunts. Consult your veterinary surgeon for more advice on worming. As cat’s nutritional needs are different to that of a dog or man, and feeding a high quality, well-balanced commercial cat food (Whiskas) help maintain optimum body weight and condition.

Havana Brown: beautiful cat you can love and admire!

Beautiful brown coat with striking emerald green eyes…Havana Brown is an intelligent cat… a perfect kitty for your home!

My gracious Havana Browns are the best buddies I have; she often helps me while I’m at my computer (they are quite gifted) and you won’t have to worry about getting cold while lying on the couch, as they are excellent substitutes for a blanket. However, they consider ‘me’ their favourite pillow…nevertheless they are the best companions I have. This is a perfect breed for someone who is looking for an interactive, intelligent, and extraordinarily beautiful cat to love and admire. 

Beautiful me

The most striking characteristics of Havana Brown are their beautiful brown fur and their brilliant emerald green eyes. The head of the English ‘Havana Brown’ has a long straight line from the top of the head to the tip of the nose whereas the head of the American ‘Havana Brown’ has a distinctive “stop” at the level of the eyes. The English Havana Brown has ears that are strikingly large, pointed, and set wide at the base as opposed to the ears of the American Havana Brown which are large, round-tipped, cupped at the base, and tilted forward. The English Havana also has a long neck and a tubular body like a Siamese or Oriental Shorthair whereas the American Havana Brown has a medium neck and a medium muscular body type.

My persona…the best

This gentle breed has a charming personality and they quietly demand attention and affection from their people. One of my Havanas likes to play fetch and their inquisitive nature makes them so pleasurable to watch. Their favourite place is your lap or close by as this breed does not like to be left alone. The best way to describe their personality would be as “dog like” because they are very interactive with people and truly depend on human companionship. If you are a busy professional who spends lots of time away from home for days at a time, perhaps you should consider a different breed. I cannot overemphasize how dependant they are on their people for companionship and they will not thrive if left alone for extended periods of time. 

They are moderately active which is a definite plus and means you won’t have to child-proof your home or put away all your breakables. Their voice is softer than a Siamese yet has a deeper resonance than most breeds which is very pleasing to the ear and they usually aren’t talkative unless it’s dinner time.

Having a second cat is highly recommended for this breed. By having a feline companion, it helps to ensure they are never lonely and they get the proper exercise and play.

I am low-maintenance

Havana Browns are very low maintenance. All they need are their humans for love and companionship and the company of a second feline. Very little grooming is needed because this is a shorthair breed. A weekly brushing will do very well.

Keeping such a rare treasure indoors, neutering or spaying and providing acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching posts) for the natural behaviour of scratching (we disapprove of declawing or tendonectomy surgery) are essential elements for maintaining a healthy, long and joyful life.