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+ The purrfect kitten
+ Ask the Expert..
+ Purrfect relocation planning !
+ Art of nail clipping...
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Pause for paws...
Here’s how to heal your kitty’s cracked heels and sore paw pads.
Paw woes...
Paw healing...
(Joan E 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).
Paw woes...
- If you have a cat who goes outdoors, she can often hurt her paws on a rough stone or wire if they jump over a fence.
- Indoor cats can also damage their paw pads by jumping on sharp objects, chewing the pads and between toes if they are left alone too long and become stressed or accidently damaging them by playing with a child’s toy made of wood that is a little splintered.
- Any contact with hot water can lead to blistering and painful paw pads.
Paw healing...
- A scraped and sore paw pad can be healed by using a baby’s sock that is tied on with a flat bandage. Do not use cord or you can cut off the circulation by tying it too tight. Remove the sock every few hours to make sure the pad is healing – never leave it on for too long as infection can occur.
- If a paw pad is bleeding, wrap a bandage fairly tight around the whole foot. It is not necessary to use a tourniquet unless there is a great deal of blood gushing out. In that case, taking your cat to the veterinarian is very wise so he can check if a blood vessel has been damaged. Tourniquets can be quite dangerous unless loosened every 15-20 minutes to relieve the pressure.
- Cracked and sore paw pads can be soothed by gently rubbing in cod-liver oil. The cat will probably lick the oil off but it won’t harm him. Just keep a close eye on your cat and replace the cod-liver oil on a regular basis for 2-3 days to help soften the pad. The best idea is to be alert to your cat and regularly check your cat’s paw pads, legs, ears and tail as she can get up to all sorts of mischief and need attention.
(Joan E 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).
Introduction old to new
Your older kitty might live peacefully with other pet companions in the house. But there is no surety about him happily accepting a new member to the family. Here’s some extra attention which your older cat will require when a new kitty comes home.
First sight…
In their first meeting, two feline buddies get to know each other by smells. So, your older cat in the house will spend a lot of time sniffing the new or young kitty member. And the kitten will do the same. But if your older cat purrs or hisses curiously and seems uncomfortable, it would be wise to wait for a few more days.
Steady adjustment…
Be sure first that your older cat is ready, then introduce him to the young kitty by widely opening the door of the room where the kitten stays as they can see and smell each other freely. You should be present to supervise their meeting. Keep the door open for short periods of time until they become adjusted to looking at each other without becoming upset. Though it takes several days, this procedure will eventually be successful.
Take it easy…
You shouldn’t force the two furry buddies get closer. Let them decide whether to stay closer or far. Repeat the short introduction as much as you can until the two cats are comfortable to stay in the same room. Take it easy, don’t push them for instant friendship!
A common space…
Your older cat will like to assure that the newcomer kitty will not take over his territory. For example, if the older one has his favourite sleeping place, don’t let the young kitten use it. Provide the young fellow separate corner and toys. Always keep in mind that animals are possessive of their food, feeding dishes and sleeping corners.
Litter pans…
Providing two separate litter pans to your young and older kitties will help prevent the adult cat from starting to soil in inappropriate areas as an act of aggression.
Forever friends…
It may take quite a few days or months for the two kitties to become close friends who are totally comfortable with each other. But usually over time, most of the kitties find a workable relationship, even if they are still not best friends!
Before home-coming
- Let your vet examine the kitten to make sure she's parasite-free.
- Make sure all their vaccinations are current.
- Neuter or spay to diminish aggression,especially the kitten at appropriate age.
Ask the Expert.. Nov Dec 2012
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 two male Persians get into ego hassles and start battling each other. How do we make them more cordial
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Billu[/caption]to each other and if they get in an aggressive situation- how do we separate them?
- R Ramesh, Mysore
Dr KG Umesh: Cats are territorial creatures and they do like to go outdoors to establish a territory in relation to neighbouring cats. This is far more important for toms (male cats) than it is for queens (female cats). Tom cats may establish a territory which is 10 times larger than that of queens. The territory of a domestic cat will be centred on his own home-base and he will use smells, sounds, scratches and other marks to define the boundaries. The territory of a cat only remains fixed for as long as the cat dominates the area - if another cat arrives on the scene, there may be a confrontation, boundaries may have to be redrawn, and life goes on. Treatment for aggression between cats living in the same household requires separation when supervision is not possible. Treating intercat aggression takes time (sometimes months), so, patience is a necessity. The aggressor is banished to a less desirable location (for example, spare room) while the victim is allowed free range or access to favourite locations. The aggressor can be fitted with a harness or collar and bells, allowing both victim and pet parent to hear the aggressor at all times. At the first sign of aggression, the aggressor should be startled using the mildest stimulus necessary. The stimulus (for example, calling his name) used to startle the aggressor is meant to interrupt and distract but not to terrify the cat, as fear can increase aggression. Reintroduction is gradual and supervised at all times, with you vigilant during these sessions. It is also important to provide strictly indoor cats with a stimulating environment that includes playing and searching opportunities, hiding places, and high perched resting areas. Neutering and medications to controlling undesired behaviours are other options.
Ask the Expert.. Sep Oct 2012
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 cat is extremely vocal when I put on my shoes to step out- he keeps following me and keeps a close contact. My family says after I leave, he sulks and hides in a corner - he sometimes eats very little too. How do I calm him?
- Karuna, Pune
Dr KG Umesh: Cats communicate in several different ways, using not only sounds but also posture and
[caption id="attachment_8388" align="alignright" width="300"]
Paly[/caption]behaviour. Tactile communications include rubbing against others including people, grooming and nose touching which is used as greeting. Auditory communications include purring, which occurs primarily during contact with other individual. The trill or meow is used as greeting calls. As long as cats are given plenty of stimulation and space, they can live contented lives. Enrichment of the living space is particularly important to ensure the cat feels secure and avoids boredom. Environmental enrichment is a means of providing your cat with opportunities to express his normal range of behaviour when he lives in a physically limited environment. Allowing your cat interesting opportunities to play, ‘hunt’, feed and be friendly will help prevent problems which can arise from boredom in confined cats. Toys (particularly hanging or moving), feeding puzzles, making use of resting places at a range of heights and different locations and access to a view of the outdoors all help stimulate indoor cats. For example, cats love watching birds attracted to a feeding table outside a window! Food treats or toys left in cardboard boxes encourage cats to explore, hide and play. It’s important that cats kept exclusively indoors are given plenty of contact from their pet parents as this helps make up for less stimulation in other ways.
Charming Singapuras!
Elegant, muscular, affectionate, intelligent and inquisitive… Singapura Cat is an ideal companion! If you are blessed with one, you will definitely ask for more!
Singapuras were first found in the harsh environment of the storm drains of Singapore and their physical
attributes of large ears and eyes and intelligence make them very good hunters, quick to learn and very fast. In the mid 1970s, Tommy Meadow took them back to America. They are now capturing the hearts of their pet parents across the world.The killer looks…
The breed is a small to medium cat whose shape has occurred naturally. Their expression with those large eyes is very appealing and adds to the charm of their personality. Singapuras only come in one colour - sepia brown, ticking on a warm ivory background. There are leg markings which occur as dark bars. They have distinctive facial markings known as cheetah lines which extend from the inner corner of the eyes to the nose, and the nose and eyes should have a dark outline.
Sweet temperament…
These sweet natured cats with a gentle temperament love to be around people. They are not noisy or pushy but will talk to their pet parents with gentle voices. They like to be off the ground and can often be found on the top of cupboards, on shelves or on their pet parent’s shoulders, anywhere to get a better view of the world. They all enjoy warmth and if not with their pet parents can often be found in the warmest spot in the house.
Life with Singapuras…
As kittens, they are mischievous and amusing but easy to care for, given a kitten diet, a warm bed, litter tray and toys. However, it is often their pet parents’ bed that they will choose to sleep in if allowed.
Their playfulness remains with them throughout their lives and being very active and inquisitive they have to investigate everything. They love to play interactive games with their pet parents - laser light pens and table tennis balls are ideal for this although they also quickly learn to fetch a small toy that is thrownfor them. You must have the time to spend with your Singapura friend or they will become bored.
Groom me little!
Grooming is easy with their short coats, a weekly brush with a soft brush and a rub over with a chamois will bring out a shine in the coat. Indoor cats may need their front claws clipped as these quickly grow into short points so a strong scratching post is needed.
Health - no issues!
Their health is generally good, although they are small in stature, they are robust and hardy cats who enjoy life. You are not so much a pet parent of a Singapura so much as a member of their family - such is the charm of these cats. Living with Singapuras is certainly not dull and once owned by, you will never want to be without one.
(Jane Brooks from England has bred Singapuras for 16 years and smitten by this small breed with full of characters.)
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