Cats & Kittens May June 2011 Issue

Savannah the Mini Cheeetah Blessed with the marking and attitude of the magnificent Cheetahs and an affectionate temperament, the Savannahs are simply superb. Abscess in felines Abscesses developed due to puncture wounds inflicted during fights among male cats are very common. Here are some symptoms and protection measures of abscesses. Ask the Expert.. Dr KG Umesh (MVSc, MSc (UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He is working for WALTHAM as Regional Associate for South Asia. Little miss PURRFECT Cats are smart – and have their own personalities, here’s how to teach kitty etiquettes. Being ‘Nosey’! There is no animal who will investigate a different smell more earnestly than the cat. Their sense of smell is highly developed and very little escapes them. Beat the Heat! Summers can be hard on our felines too. Here are a few tips to make summers comfortable for your kitty. Solving litter box problems You can resolve litter box issues by taking a closer look at your cat’s environment.

one year old cat prefers wet food..

Dr KG Umesh (MVSc, MSc (UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He is working for WALTHAM as Regional Associate for South Asia.

Q: My one year old cat prefers wet food and is not eating her dry cat food. Is it ok to feed her wet food only? We are mixing the wet food with rice and feeding her twice a day. Also can I feed her fish, chicken or mutton?
-Thelma, Kottayam

Dr KG Umesh: A typical wet food contains 70-120 Kcal per 100g, whereas a dry food contains around 350-400 kcal per 100g. Both wet and dry cat food from reputed manufacturers like Whiskas are complete and balanced food, the difference being water content. Therefore cat will drink more water while eating less dry food compared to wet food. Feeding only wet food also benefits urinary tract health in cats. Feeding one format may encourage the cat to eat the other, i.e. if cat doesn’t like dry food, you can add wet to encourage the cat to eat the dry food. A nutritionally balanced diet is crucial for the healthy growth and development of a cat in order to prepare him for an active, long, and healthy life. Cats cannot thrive on the same basic nutrients as human beings due to their different physiology and the nutrients are needed in proportionately larger quantities. Prepared pet foods from reputable pet food manufacturers come with a guarantee of nutritional adequacy, quality and safety. Our research indicated that most homemade diets/foods fed to cats in our country are inadequate. Therefore do not feed any supplements or home diet while he is feeding on commercial cat food from reputed manufacturer.

Abscess in felines

Abscesses developed due to puncture wounds inflicted during fights among male cats are very common. Here are some symptoms and protection measures of abscesses.

At the Blue Cross animal shelter, we very often come across several tomcats with abscesses. Abscesses contain pus that usually occur as a result of puncture wounds inflicted during cat fights. Fight abscesses, especially among male cats, are very common in felines. When cats bite each other during fights the skin is punctured, infecting the tissues inside with bacteria. The wound heals over while trapping the bacteria inside. Pus accumulates in that area as the cat tries to fight off infection.

Identification of abscesses

All wounds do not develop into an abscess. It depends on the depth of the bite, the number and type of bacteria present in the wound and the ability of the cat to fight off the infection. The abscess will be a soft, painful swelling under the skin.

Signs of abscesses

If your cat develops an abscess, he may show the following symptoms:

• Fever


• Loss of appetite


• Lethargy


• He may sit in a ‘hunched over’ position


• He may limp if the abscess is located on a leg or foot


• Pus and blood may ooze from the abscesses

Protection measures

You can protect your cat by following these simple tips:

• If you suspect your cat has been bitten, take him to the vet immediately. The vet can thoroughly examine your cat for any serious wounds. Preventive action can protect your feline friend from developing abscesses.


• If you know your cat has been in a fight, examine him for any puncture wounds or abscesses. The vulnerable areas are head, neck, forelegs and lower back the base of the spine.


• Keeping your cat indoors will prevent fighting and abscesses.


• Male cats fight more than female cats. Neutering your male cat will go a long way in preventing fight and abscesses.

Abscesses are painful and can make the cat ill. Abscesses also make a cat at risk to FIV. Treatment for abscess is through draining of the pus and administering antibiotics. Early action will protect your cat from pain and discomfort.

(Sudhersena is volunteer at the Blue Cross since 1998 and an avid animal lover, owns nine cats and three dogs. She is associated with a number of animal welfare campaigns and programmes.)

Being ‘Nosey’!

There is no animal who will investigate a different smell more earnestly than the cat. Their sense of smell is highly developed and very little escapes them.

Cats will pick up new smells in many ways... their owner’s clothing, another cat’s coat, smells coming in from an open window, plants and perfume. Sniffing seems to intensify the smell and the desire to investigate becomes paramount until their quest is complete.

Smell.... right from beginning...

It seems that almost from birth, kittens develop this keen sense of smell and react very strongly to unpleasant and offensive odours. It is important that this sense of smell is developed early so that they can pick up the mammary glands of their mother and it appears that within 3-4 days they have selected the one nipple that they prefer to nurse from and generally return to it every time they drink.

It is the smell that guides kittens back to their area and they become quite distressed if they are not able to return to the

area where they have become accustomed to a certain smell. When kittens begin to roam, they seem to have no trouble finding their way back to their own bedding or where their mother is resting. Despite the fact that once they are able to see they still rely on the smell of familiar areas.

We have all seen a cat curling their top lip and this occurs as a cat inhales odours that are not familiar to them. At approximately six weeks of age, a kitten will sniff odours, such as urine or droppings and is often seen touching the odour followed by the raising of their head, wrinkling their nose and pulling their lip back and opening their mouth. Tomcats do this regularly when they are out seeking a mate or when they sense that another Tomcat has been in their area.

Using their sense of smell...

• Most cats, although not all, love the smell of plants, valerian and catnip and they also like many other herbs as well.


• Perfume can be almost intoxicating to a cat and they often endeavour to wash their owners clean from the area of the perfume on the body.


• Cats will sit as near to the oven and stove as they can, and still be safe, and absorb the smell of the evening meal... licking their lips in anticipation of sharing this beautifully interesting meal.


• Few cats have a problem in finding food that has been put away but with the smell still lingering. Their sniff takes them directly to that piece of meat which appears hidden to us, but not to the cat and his nose.


• The mating of the cat is also vitally connected to their sense of smell. Male cats can locate a female in heat a great distance away. Unfortunately he also encounters other cats who have picked up the same scent and battle for supremacy.


• Cats can tell if strangers have been in their surroundings and they seem to readily recognise the smell of their pet parents.


• Moving home can bring on quite distressing moods in cats until they have settled into their new environment so we should always endeavour to bring something from their previous home which will have a familiar scent and have a calming effect on the cat.

(Joan Henderson is based in Australia and she has judged furry felines in many other countries including USA, Bermuda, Malaysia, South Africa, Hong Kong, Philippines and New Zealand)

Healthy Bites

Here’s something to go with highly nutritional pet food…healthy advice from Drools.

Pets thrive on affection, attention and the right kind of emotional and medical care. We at Drools are well aware of every pet parent’s need to keep their pet healthy and secure. Here are some quick tips to make the task simpler.

Serve your pet a dose of good health

A healthy, balanced and nutritious diet is essential to maintain your pet’s health and longevity. Always insist on buying your pet a quality meal, as cheap alternatives, more often than not, contain fillers that may not be healthy and would also leave your pet hungry. Small pet food samples are available on trial before you decide to purchase a larger quantity. This not only allows you to gauge your pet’s reaction to the food, but also allows you to be more aware of your pet’s tastes and ensures your pet receives the right kind of nutrition. On making a choice, keep an eye on how your pet reacts during the first few weeks. Look out for rising energy levels or shine or thickness in the hair coat. This maybe a sign that diet change has suited your pet well. Also, all changes in your pet’s diet must be done gradually to avoid gastrointestinal upset. Always consult your veterinarian for nutritional advice.

We’re not the only ones who need exercise and grooming

Pet dogs need daily exercise to stay fit. Be it a stroll in the neighborhood or a walk in the park. This is a must, in the mornings and evenings. Some dog breeds require more exercise than others. A veterinarian could help provide a more specific routine in such cases. It is never advisable to leave a pet unattended, when outdoors, especially during extreme weather conditions, as this can have serious health consequences. Both dogs and cats need grooming, bathing and nail trimming. In fact, some dog breeds need regular hair grooming. It’s always advisable to seek out a professional groomer, before learning how to groom your pet at home.

Build a bond with your vet

It’s important to note that spending quality time with your pet isn’t the only way to strengthen the bond you share. It’s equally important for caretakers to find a veterinary doctor who understands this bond and works as a partner in keeping your pet healthy. Professional guidance will take care of inoculations, vaccinations, dental hygiene, examination, advice and treatments for various parasite infestations, besides other areas like training in general pet care, socializing, obedience and behavioral issues. Being a pet parent is a life enriching experience. Always ensure you make informed and responsible decisions for your pet to secure a happy and healthy life together.