Cat Health

Tip: Health

If your cat is hiding, pay special attention to why. Hiding can be an excellent sign that something is wrong with your cat, or that he may not feel good. Be sure to rule out stress from noisy visitors, or furniture deliveries and other stressors that will cause a cat to hide. Closets, under beds, and in dark areas are some favourite hiding areas.

Tip: Excessive licking and grooming

Your kitty’s excessive licking and grooming can have several causes: stress, food allergies, and more. Your first step is a visit with your vet to determine whether it’s a health or behaviour problem.
Many cats are allergic to corn, a main ingredient in most dried cat foods. If your vet suspects an allergy, change the cat’s food and watch for improvements in your cat’s coat and behaviour. Your vet can suggest brands of food that will help the most.

If the licking is due to stress, try to remove the source, or simply manage the stress. This is particularly important in multiple cat-households. We have four, & the low man on the pecking order stopped chewing his fur when I started feeding him without the others present. I also give him ´special time´, i.e. an hour per day, when he is with me alone and gets undivided attention.

Tip: Where do heartworms come from?

Cats contract heartworms from mosquitoes, so if you live in a typically heavy mosquito-populated area you should get your kitty tested for heartworms.

Spring is a good time for a Check up, so your vet can test your cat or kitten for heartworms, and then give you all the necessary feline heartworm treatments to combat parasites.

Tip: Increased Thirst

Kitty seems to drink more than ever! Increased thirst is an indicator of diabetes, kidney or liver problems, and these are important to consider with the health care of an elderly cat.

Although your older cat needs fewer calories and more fluids as he ages, to rule out cat health problems, it would be best to take your cat to the vet for a thorough check-up when you notice he is drinking more than normal.

Tip: Caring for Pregnant Cats

To make sure your cat has a safe pregnancy and a healthy birth, take your cat to see your vet – he or she may suggest basic blood work to establish baseline readings and to spot any potential health problems.

Follow your vets recommendations for prenatal care and don’t give your cat any extra medications, vitamins, or any other pills without discussing them with your vet first.

Your cat will become restless about two weeks before giving birth and will look for a safe place to have her kittens. She should be confined at this time to the house and be provided with a box for birthing. It might be better to confine her to a single room, maybe your bedroom, so you can keep a close watch on her.

Make sure she delivers where you have easy access to them later on, because it’s important for them to be as well socialized as possible.

Tip: Find a Top Notch Vet for Declawing

Declawing of Cats – I can’t lie: there is a lot of negative press detailing the horrors of declawing your cat. I know that some of that press stems from bad experiences with less than qualified persons performing the surgery. Some of the bad press is from animal rights activists. Regardless of your political views on this topic, you should make certain you have an experienced and reputable vet.

You don’t accept second best with your own health or the health of your children; don’t settle for second best with the quality of your vet. Ask your vet about her experience level; how many times has he performed this operation; what is her success rate; has he had any failures; what is his/her personal opinions about the operation. Ask neighbours, friends, and local breeders who they use for their vet.

The most important step in declawing your pet is to make certain you have a good vet.

Tip: Upper Respiratory Ailments

Cats and kittens suffer from upper respiratory ailments just as humans; allergies, colds, infections are just some of them. However, cats do not recover from them as easily as humans; they need veterinarian cat care to recover completely.

If they don’t see a vet, and get the proper medications, they will be sickly for a long time, possibly for the rest of their life.

You should take your cat to the vet for feline medicines to treat upper respiratory ailments. Some human medicines are poisonous to cats, and all of them are toxic in the high dosages for humans.

If you budget is strained, contact your local animal shelter/pound, ASPCA, humane society or rescue organization. They will have a list of low cost vets in your area, and in some cases, the non-profit organizations can help you pay for the vet bills.

Tip: Ear Mite Symptoms

The general symptoms of ear mites include:
Scratching behind the ear and inside the ear; A dark brown wax inside the ear; Plus other signs that are not visible without the special equipment a vet uses.

Ear mites are highly infectious little pests that feed on the lining of the ear canals. Because of their highly contagious nature, ear mites are especially common in shelter cats and kittens.

A quick trip to the vet can quickly determine if it is ear mites or something else, and to get the right medication for your kitty. Ear mites can be difficult to get rid of, so be persistent, and use the vet’s medication recommendation, and not the pet store variety.

Cat Health Care Good News: The means of controlling ear mites have greatly improved in the past few years.

Tip: Poisonous House plants

Be cautious when choosing houseplants for your home, if you have kitties or children.
The Berries on Mistletoe are poisonous to cats and humans. Other dangerous plants to cats include: dieffenbachia, poinsettia, English ivy, crocus, and others.

For a more complete list of dangerous plants, the symptoms they cause in pets, and what to do when a pet ingests one, check the Links page for the ASPCA link or the University of Illinois link.

Tip: Cats In Heat – Spaying and Neutering Cats

Cats do not necessarily have a period, like a human female, then have a time where they won’t be fertile.
Cats are not like other animals that have a particular season when they breed. Once a cat reaches puberty, she will go into, and stay in heat until she is bred or surgically sterilized (altered, neutered, fixed, spayed).

In rare cases, feral cats may have an infertile time during extreme cold that could last for several months.

Tip: Neutering Your Male Cat

Although it is preferable to have your male cat neutered at about their 6th or 7th month of life, it is not too late to have your adult male cat altered. Behaviours like fighting, urine spraying and roaming will be dramatically reduced, although some retraining for behaviour problems such as urine spraying may prove necessary. Neutering must be done only by a veterinarian, and requires general anaesthesia. Post-op care involves monitoring, keeping the incisions clean and dry, and keeping your male cat inside. The incisions heal within three to five days. Check with your vet for more details.

Tip: Controlling Hairballs

Hairballs are more of a problem in longhaired cats than short, but no one like to listen to a gagging cat. Hairballs are caused by too much hair in the cat’s stomach from their own grooming. Although there are many different remedies, I prefer preventative health care measures and training:

Daily brushing is my number one tip to prevent cat hairballs, especially during the warm months of the year. If you start brushing your cat during this time of the year, it is easier to train them to enjoy it. They are naturally trying to get rid of that excess undercoat, and your daily brushing will do that for them.

But if your cat’s pattern of coughing up the occasional hairball changes, take your cat to the vet to find out why.

Another suggestion to stop cat hairballs (or at least reduce them) is to feed your cat or kitten Iams or Science Diet’s Hairball Control. It has worked wonders for my longhaired cat.

Tip: Trim, don’t declaw

Here’s an alternative to declawing your cat or kitten: You can trim your cat’s nails to lessen the damage they cause, if you do not want to have him surgically declawed. Cats that are kept indoors need a regular manicure to prevent their nails from becoming overgrown.

Trimming your cat’s claws should be started at a very young age so that they become accustomed to the procedure. Trying to force an adult cat to having its nails trimmed can be dangerous. In this case, let a professional groomer do the job – they know how to handle a reluctant kitty.

Tip: Protect the Couch!

If your cat or kitten is constantly clawing your couch or chair, this is what worked magnificently for me:

Put a carpet covered scratching post directly in front of the area of the furniture the cat loves to destroy. Rub the post down with catnip and the cats will be drawn to the scratching post instead of the couch.

Now, my cats scratch the post instead of the couch and love the occasional sprinkling of catnip.

Tip: The Signs and Symptoms of UI

Urinary infection is a common cat health problem for cats, especially males due to their physiology. Although it is easily treated, it can lead to kidney failure and even death if left untreated. If you suspect UI, take your cat to a reputable vet immediately.

Some of the symptoms and signs to look for include:
Straining to urinate, discomfort while urinating, howling or crying while urinating, tinkling anywhere and everywhere (very small puddles), and discoloured urine (indicating blood in the urine).

Tip: Cats in heat conclusion – Spaying and Neutering

Male cats do not go into heat. They respond to the hormonal changes in a female cat’s body.
Males have a mating call, too, which will continue until another male cat has fought and defeated him, or until he impregnates the female cat.
If males are not neutered, they will develop behaviours that are perfectly normal, but undesirable in pets.
Male cats will mark their territory with urine, also known as spraying if they are not altered at 6 months old. This includes the bushes, tress, the front door-inside and outside, furniture, and carpets. Defecating is also a means of marking his territory (leaving solid waste outside of the litter box.)
Males become more aggressive and less affectionate if they are not altered at 6 months old.
Trust me, it is easier, safer, and much more pleasant to have your male cat neutered at 6 months old.

Tip: Upper Respiratory Ailments

Cats and kittens suffer from upper respiratory ailments just as humans; allergies, colds, infections are just some of them. However, cats do not recover from them as easily as humans; they need veterinarian cat care to recover completely.

If they don’t see a vet, and get the proper medications, they will be sickly for a long time, possibly for the rest of their life.

You should take your cat to the vet for feline medicines to treat upper respiratory ailments. Some human medicines are poisonous to cats, and all of them are toxic in the high dosages for humans.

If you budget is strained, contact your local animal shelter/pound, ASPCA, humane society or rescue organization. They will have a list of low cost vets in your area, and in some cases, the non-profit organizations can help you pay for the vet bills.

Tip: Food allergy

It is always recommended that you buy good quality food for your cat. Some foods contain ingredients that cause common allergic reaction in cats.
Some signs of allergies include: intense itching (scratching), diarrhoea, hives (small bumps) and hair loss.
Read the ingredients, and ask your vet for treatments of your cat’s allergies, as well as, other brands of foods that could help lessen the allergic reactions.

Tip: First Aid for a Cat or Kitten

To wash minor wounds, use witch hazel. Or add 2 teaspoons of dried rosemary or blackberry leaves to a cup of boiling water, and boil it for several hours.
If your cat has serious wounds, take it to the vet immediately for emergency cat care.

Tip: Caring for Pregnant Cats

To make sure your cat has a safe pregnancy and a healthy birth, take your cat to see your vet – he or she may suggest basic blood work to establish baseline readings and to spot any potential health problems.

Follow your vets recommendations for prenatal care and don’t give your cat any extra medications, vitamins, or any other pills without discussing them with your vet first.

Your cat will become restless about two weeks before giving birth and will look for a safe place to have her kittens. She should be confined at this time to the house and be provided with a box for birthing. It might be better to confine her to a single room, maybe your bedroom, so you can keep a close watch on her.

Make sure she delivers where you have easy access to them later on, because it’s important for them to be as well socialized as possible.

Tip: Cats In Heat – Spaying and Neutering Cats

Cats do not necessarily have a period, like a human female, then have a time where they won’t be fertile.
Cats are not like other animals that have a particular season when they breed. Once a cat reaches puberty, she will go into, and stay in heat until she is bred or surgically sterilized (altered, neutered, fixed, spayed).

In rare cases, feral cats may have an infertile time during extreme cold that could last for several months.

Tip: Neutering Your Male Cat

Although it is preferable to have your male cat neutered at about their 6th or 7th month of life, it is not too late to have your adult male cat altered. Behaviours like fighting, urine spraying and roaming will be dramatically reduced, although some retraining for behaviour problems such as urine spraying may prove necessary. Neutering must be done only by a veterinarian, and requires general anaesthesia. Post-op care involves monitoring, keeping the incisions clean and dry, and keeping your male cat inside. The incisions heal within three to five days. Check with your vet for more details.

Tip: Cats in Heat #2

A female will utter an unusual cry known as calling or chirping to attract a male cat for breeding. Also, her hormonal changes emit an odour-detectable by male cats-that will attract male cats. Male cats have a call of their own to entice the female to breed. This will continue night after night until the female is impregnated.

Tip: Cats in Heat #3

Altering/neutering/getting them fixed does not cause damage to your cat. It prevents many types of health problems when they are older. It keeps their personality in that ´kitten´ phase where they are playful and love interaction with humans. And it saves your sanity from the incessant and constant ´mating behaviours´ of the females being in heat.

Tip: Cats in heat #4

The female will roll around on the floor and exhibit other unusual behaviours depending on her personality, and her ability to reach male cats.
If she is not bred, these behaviours will stop for a few days-and only for a few days, before beginning again until she is impregnated.
Puberty for cats usually starts at 6 months, however, females can have their first ´heat´ as young as four months.

Tip: Cats in heat conclusion – Spaying and Neutering

Male cats do not go into heat. They respond to the hormonal changes in a female cat’s body.
Males have a mating call, too, which will continue until another male cat has fought and defeated him, or until he impregnates the female cat.
If males are not neutered, they will develop behaviours that are perfectly normal, but undesirable in pets.
Male cats will mark their territory with urine, also known as spraying if they are not altered at 6 months old. This includes the bushes, tress, the front door-inside and outside, furniture, and carpets. Defecating is also a means of marking his territory (leaving solid waste outside of the litter box.)
Males become more aggressive and less affectionate if they are not altered at 6 months old.
Trust me, it is easier, safer, and much more pleasant to have your male cat neutered at 6 months old.

Tip: Dull Dry Coat

Not all cat’s genetically have a glossy, shiny coat. However, all healthy cats should have soft fur and some shine, but not dry, brittle or rough feeling.
This usually is a sign of malnutrition; from not eating a balanced diet.
Your budget will determine what you can feed your cat, but the better quality of the food, the better health your cat will have. Look for a dry food with No Corn or very little corn in it. Our pets can’t digest corn properly, thus allowing it and the nutrition in the food to pass right through.

Tip: Dandruff

Dandruff, and a dull, brittle coat are usually triggered by malnutrition. No, I’m not saying you don’t feed your cat; the food your cat is eating is not helping her, or it is not a balanced diet providing all of the nutrients a cat needs to be healthy.
Corn is the number one ingredient in most name brand pet foods; and corn is very difficult for our pets to digest; thus allowing most of it to pass right through. This will prevent your cat’s system from absorbing any nutrition available in her food.
Your budget will determine what you can feed your cat, but the better quality of food, the more healthy your cat will be

Cat Safety

Tip: Identification

Make sure that you have some type of identification such as photos, name tag on a collar, or microchip implant for each of your pets. This will help identify your pet should he/she become lost. Keep copies of this information in a specific place so if the time comes, you have it readily available. This information will be invaluable when contacting your area Animal Control, or proving to a concerned animal lover that you are the owner of the pet she found, as well as, thwarting a possible con artist trying to collect on any reward you post.

Tip: Kitty is Bored all cooped up inside

Because it’s cold outside, Kitty doesn’t get to go out as much, and now he is bored. You can take some simple measures to help him cope. Spend more time with your cat playing and giving him special attention. Buy him a couple of new toys. Keep the bird feeder full to attract birds for him to watch. Make certain the bird bath isn’t frozen over. Add a squirrel feeder, also. These should give Kitty plenty of distraction until spring.

Tip: Observe while you exercise or commute

For those that run, jog, bike, or walk in their exercise program, or those that take the same route to work everyday, you can be a crucial link in stopping animal abuse or neglect. On your daily run or commute, check the animals on that route. Do they look sick, listless, or too thin? Does their overall quality of health seem to deteriorate over time? Do they have adequate shelter from the cold and heat? Do they have a constant source of water? All of these can be signs of abuse or neglect, and should be reported to your local authorities.

Tip: Alternative & Safe String

Everyone who has ever had a cat, knows that they love string. However, cats have a tendency to swallow string when it gets caught in the bristles of their tongue. A safer alternative to conventional string is the plastic ´lariat´ type of cording available at hobby stores. It is used in macrame projects. If you can’t find this, you can use any type of cord that is at least as big as a pencil. This will be large enough that your kitty won’t get it caught in his tongue bristles and swallow it. And be sure to keep your needlework in a secure container when you are not working on your project. If the idea of your kitten swallowing thread doesn’t make you tremble, think about that needle going down its throat as well!

Tip: Grocery Sack/Bag warning

Some cats have a fascination for grocery sacks. They love to crawl into them, push them around with their front feet; I’ve even had a cat that crawled inside a paper bag and took a nap when he got tired of playing with it.
If you allow your cats to play with plastic grocery bags, be sure to cut the handles so your kitty won’t get his head stuck and strangle himself. The same is true of large paper shopping bags from department stores.
Although I’ve never had any problems with my kitties playing with plastic bags, I still watch them closely to prevent them from getting trapped and suffocating inside the bag.

Tip: Minty Insect Repellents

Poisoning indoor bugs can poison your cats if they eat the bugs, so I use other means of ridding my home of insect pests. Since most insects have sensitive ´noses,´ they can’t tolerate certain strong herbs and spices. I purchased little clay scent pots that I fill with Essential Oils to emit smells for an extended amount of time. Pennyroyal and most members of the Mint family are some of the best insect repellents. I keep several bottles of these Essential oils in the house at all times, and continuously keep the Kitchen Garbage Can area filled with mint oil.

Tip: Antifreeze Warning

Not all pet owners know that antifreeze is a deadly poison to pets. What is frustrating, is that antifreeze smells and tastes good to most pets.
Take extra precautions when working with Antifreeze: collect it in a bucket to prevent it from running down the gutter. Mop up any spills immediately. Keep your pets contained while working with antifreeze to prevent any accidental ingestion. Check the Links Section for Antifreeze Warning-by Dr. Allen Schoen for a MUST READ article that details the symptoms of antifreeze poisoning.

Tip: Candy can be poisonous!

Do not give candy to your kitty. It can be a fatal mistake! Chocolate, in particular, has several chemicals that are toxic to cats. Just a few ounces will kill a cat. If you want to treat your cat, feed him treats that are designed for cats and kittens.

Tip: Protect Your Black Cat

It is horrendous to think, but Black Cats are at great danger the week before Halloween (October 31.) Too many black cats been mutilated or killed to celebrate Halloween and they were not the ritual killings of some cult; they were the mindless pranks of cruel people.
If you own a black cat, or even a cat that is mostly black, keep it contained in the house or garage over night during the week before Halloween and especially Halloween night. This will protect Kitty’s life during a time when it is most vulnerable from human predators.

Tip: Protecting Kitty

When using herbal alternatives, research each herb thoroughly prior to placing it where your cat can get into it (keeping in mind that there is very little a cat cannot get into if they are determined enough). By using an herbal remedy without knowing the pertinent facts, you could inadvertently injure your cat. Speak to your veterinarian about any herbal remedies you would like to try for pest control or as holistic healing techniques for your cat.

Cats and Plants

Get the Facts on Flora and Your Feline

Plants make a wonderful addition to any décor. Some cats will ignore the greenery, some may dig at the soil a little, but many are curious about the texture and taste of objects that dangle before their eyes. When making a plant selection, consider the safety of your resident feline.

Special Precautions for Gardeners

Many systemic fertilizers — typically slow-release granules that are dug into the ground surrounding the plant — have toxic warnings on the container, but state that once the area has been watered and is dry it is fine for both pets and children to return. While the top layer of dirt once dry may not be harmful to animals, if they dig in that area they may be digging into and potentially consuming toxic or even deadly amounts of fertilizer. Even a small amount can be toxic.

To help prevent this, avoid using systemic fertilizers in conjunction with other plant feeds, such as fish emulsion, fish pellets or kelp, whose smell is attractive to pets. Keep your plants healthy and your pets safe by using natural plant foods like fish emulsion or pellets, bone meal, kelp and earthworm castings as much as possible.

Plants Safe for Cats

There are many beautiful plants you can keep inside your home that are not harmful to your cat.

To learn the best plants to keep inside your home read our extensive list of safe plants.

While these plants have been shown to lack any harmful systemic or gastrointestinal effects, even non-toxic plant material eaten in excess isn’t good for your cat.

This behaviour may produce signs similar to those that appear with the ingestion of toxic plants. Vomiting, diarrhoea and depression are common. The difference is that these symptoms are mild and self-limiting (they resolve on their own), and in most cases do not require medical attention. If your cat does ingest an excessive amount of plant material and symptoms do not resolve in a reasonable amount of time, see your veterinarian.

Plants Toxic to Cats

We all want to have our homes, patios, balconies and yards looking lovely. We can easily do this while carefully avoiding the plants that are potentially harmful to our feline friends.

Learn what plants to keep away from your cat by reading our list of toxic plants.

If you choose to keep potentially poisonous houseplants in your home, please keep them well out of reach of your curious kitty. 

And just in case, you should be able to recognize the symptoms of plant poisoning and familiarize yourself with what to do if you notice them in your cat. Remember that in addition to plants, there are many chemicals that should be kept away from your cat too 

Signs of Poisoning from Plant Ingestion

The toxins in poisonous plants have varied effects on individual cats. Some cats may be more sensitive to them, and will exhibit more severe symptoms.

 

These symptoms range from a skin rash or irritation to convulsions, but the most common signs of poisoning are vomiting and diarrhoea. 

The following charts give you an idea of the types of symptoms and examples of plants and gardening chemicals with which they are associated.

Common Plants

Plant Examples Symptoms Castorbean, Daffodil, Delphinium, Foxglove, Larkspur, Pokeweed, Skunk Cabbage, Wisteria sometimes produce diarrhoea, vomiting Chrysanthemum, Crown of Thorns, Poinsettia produce rash or irritation after skin contact Caladium, Emerald Duke, Philodendron, Pothos irritating, may cause swelling and pain of lips and tongue Amaryllis, Bird of Paradise, Creeping Charlie, Crown of Thorns, Mock Orange, Privet, Umbrella Plant, Yews cause vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, cramps Almonds, China Berry Tree, Kalanchoe, Water Hemlock cause convulsions Locoweed, Marijuana, Morning Glory, Nutmeg, Periwinkle, Peyote cause hallucination

Cat Dental Care

As they age, nearly all cats develop bad breath and tartar followed by gum disease and loose, infected teeth. Simple things you can do now while your cat is young and healthy make a big difference later on.

Plaque is that stuff that forms on teeth between brushings. A mixture of bacteria, minerals from saliva, and gummy food particles, Plaque is soft at first, but gradually hardens and turns brown. This hardened material is called tartar. Tartar gets up under the gums, causing periodontitis. In time teeth loosen, become painful, and eventually fall out. If you can prevent plaque from forming or remove it while still soft, you can prevent dental problems

Brush your cat’s teeth.

Brushing your cat’s teeth should not be a chore for you or your cat. Instead, it should be an enjoyable time for both of you. If you take things slowly at the beginning and give lots of praise, you and your cat will start looking forward to your brushing sessions. But first, we need to gather together what we will need.

Where to begin

Number one , this should be fun for you and your cat. Be upbeat and take things slowly. Do not overly restrain your cat. Keep sessions short and positive. Be sure to praise your cat throughout the process. Give yourself a pat on the back, too! You are doing a great thing for your cat!

First, have your cat get used to you putting things in her mouth. Dip your finger in tuna water, chicken broth, or other liquid your cat may like. Call your cat with a voice that means “treat” and let your cat lick the liquid off your finger. Then rub your soaked finger gently over your cat’s gums and teeth. After a few sessions, your cat should actually look forward to this and you can move on. Now, place a gauze around your finger. (You can again dip it in the tuna water or other liquid.) Gently rub the teeth in a circular motion with your gauzed finger. Repeat this for the number of sessions it takes your cat to feel comfortable with this procedure. Remember to praise her and keep an upbeat attitude.

After your cat is used to having the flavoured gauze in her mouth, you are ready to start with a toothbrush, dental sponge, or pad. We need to get your cat used to the consistency of these items, especially the bristles on a brush. So, let your cat lick something tasty off of the brush or pad so she gets used to the texture.

Once your cat is used to the cleaning item you are going to use, we can add the toothpaste (or rinse). Pet toothpastes either have a poultry, malt, or other flavour so your cat will like the taste. Get your cat used to the flavour and consistency of the toothpaste. Let your cat lick some off your finger and then apply some to your cat’s gum line with your finger. Praise your pet. Now your cat is used to the toothbrush and toothpaste and you are ready to start brushing. Talk to your cat in a happy voice during the process and praise your cat at the end. At first, you may just want to brush one or both upper canine teeth (the large ones in the front of the mouth). These are the easiest teeth for you to get at and will give you some easier practice. As before, when your cat accepts having several teeth brushed, slowly increase the number of teeth you are brushing. Again, by making it appear to be a game, you both will have fun doing it.

Use an oral antibacterial.

Next best is to treat you cat’s mouth and teeth with a chlorhexidine antibacterial gel. This quite effective and a lot easier than brushing. Put a little get on a Q Tip or on the end of your finger and put a little between the cat’s cheek and back teeth. Alternate sides each day.

Use enzyme-treated dental chews

An easier alternative is to give one or two enzyme-treated dental chew biscuits every day. CET Chews for Cats are available from veterinarians and are not the same as the little dental biscuits you see in the grocery store.

Cat Neutering

From around the age of 5 to 8 months, kittens reach sexual maturity and are therefore capable of breeding and producing kittens themselves! Most people do not have the time or desire to breed from their cat and do not wish to add to the number of unwanted cats and kittens already looking for homes. Neutering a cat – castration in the male (removal of the testes), and spaying the female (removal of the ovaries and uterus) not only prevents unwanted pregnancies occurring, but also curbs unwanted behavioural patterns associated with sexual maturity and reduces the risk of certain diseases.

What sex is my kitten ?

It is surprising how often mistakes are made with the sex of kittens. If you are in any doubt, you should ask your vet (they will check prior to neutering anyway). To tell the difference between the sexes you will need to lift the tail and look at the genitals. In the male, about 1cm below the anus is the opening of the prepuce with the scrotum immediately above this. The anus and prepuce appear like two ‘dots’. In the female, the vulva is a vertical slit which is almost joined to the anus, like a letter i.

Spaying a female

In the past, it has been suggested that all female cats should be allowed to have one litter of kittens. However, this is totally unnecessary and carries no benefit whatsoever to the cat. It is therefore preferable to have a female spayed before she reaches sexual maturity. Once sexual maturity is reached, the cat will begin to come into season or ‘call’. Cycles of sexual activity typically occur every three weeks, and when a cat is ‘calling’, as its name implies, this can be a very noisy affair! Certain drugs can be used to suppress the sexual cycle, but these carry quite a risk of significant side effects in cats and are not recommended for long-term use. If you are not going to breed from your female kitten, having her spayed will eliminate the sexual behaviour, the possibility of unplanned pregnancies and the risk of diseases associated with the genital tract later in life.

The spaying operation involves the administration of a general anaesthetic and the surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus through an incision made on the flank or belly of the cat. The fur at the site of the incision will have to be shaved before surgery and your vet will ask you to withhold food from the evening prior to the anaesthetic. Usually your kitten will be able to return home the same day and the skin sutures are generally removed after 7 to 10 days

Castrating a male

Castrating a male is equally important as spaying a female to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Furthermore, entire male cats have a strong tendency to roam, to be aggressive to other males, to fight and to mark their territory by spraying urine (often indoors!) The aggressive behaviour puts an uncastrated male at much higher risk of serious infectious disease such as feline immunodeficiency virus (feline ‘AIDS’) and feline leukaemia virus , both of which are transmitted through cat bites.

Castration involves removing both testes under general anaesthetic through small incisions into the scrotum. As with the spay operation, withholding food from the previous evening will be required to minimise potential anaesthetic complications, and the kitten can usually go home the same day. Usually the skin incisions for a castration are so small that sutures are not required.

Post-operative care

Cats usually recover from the neutering operation remarkably quickly. They may be a little drowsy for a few hours, but by the next day, they are usually very lively again. It is sensible to try to keep your kitten fairly quiet for a day or two to allow the internal wounds some time to heal. However, if your kitten seems unusually quiet or dull you should contact your vet. Also, if your kitten starts to lick or scratch excessively at the skin sutures, contact your vet to get a dressing or special collar to prevent any damage being done to the wound.

It is important to remember that once a cat has been neutered, there is a stronger tendency for it to become obese. You may therefore need to adjust the amount of food you provide should your cat start to put on too much weight.

Dark patches of fur

The skin temperature is important in determining the hair colour of some cats (e.g. Siamese cats). This means that when a patch of hair is shaved (e.g. for the spay operation) the new hair may grow back a darker colour. However, this is only temporary and, as further hair growth occurs, the dark hairs are replaced by normal lighter coloured hairs.

Age for neutering

A cat can be neutered at virtually any age although it is usually done at 4 – 6 months old. Undesirable behaviour patterns may be more difficult to alter if cats are neutered when they are older. Some vets will undertake neutering in much younger kittens (2 – 3 months old) and this appears to have no adverse effects.

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