Cats for Dummies (For Dummies Series)

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Your cat is counting on you, and we know that if we help you — and we’ve written this book to do exactly that — you and your cat will both be so much happier. Icons Used in This Book

Just a second: You have more to consider. Before you get to imagine Your Perfect Cat, you must determine whether a grown cat would work better for the life you lead than would a kitten, no matter how adorable. Before you consider whether a random-bred or pedigreed cat will suit you best, you must consider the issue of fur: long or short? And what about gender? Do females make better pets, or do males? We also want you to be able to avoid the things you don’t need. The popularity of cats is wonderful, to be sure, but it also means that a lot of products out there are a waste of your money at best and dangerous at worst. We want to help you navigate the pet-food aisle to find the very best food for your cat. And we really want you to have a good relationship with your veterinarian so that you can prevent health problems before they are too serious to be resolved.You may think you know all you need to know about cats, but we’re guessing that’s not really true. You may think you don’t need to know anything more, and we know that’s not true. That’s because we know how much you love your cat, and how much you will benefit from the information provided by some of the very top experts in feline care. Schrödinger’s cat has a 50% chance of dying and 50% of living after an hour in an experimental box. We know you love cats or you wouldn’t be reading this book. Let us help you live a better life with your feline companion, with the best information you’ll find anywhere. Hence, this article’s simple approach helps us fully understand where brilliant Erwin was coming from. Schrödinger’s Cat Explained: The Experiment

If you’re ready to welcome a beautiful cat into your home, read this guide! Cats might seem relatively independent and low-maintenance, but they actually need plenty of interaction and care. Whether you’re considering adopting a cat or buying a kitten and watching them grow up, you’ll want to make sure you can provide for their needs for the rest of their life. There are so many cat breeds to choose from, all with distinctively different personalities. Taking the time to work out which breed will be the best fit for your family is an important step that shouldn’t be rushed. Some cat breeds will be happy relaxing in an apartment while their owners are at work, while others crave attention and prefer to have as much company as possible. Cat breeders and shelters will also be happy to advise you on what breeds could work for your home and work life. Even as more people than ever before have come to appreciate cats, one group of cat lovers keeps its distance — and wishes they didn’t have to. That’s because one of the biggest barriers to keeping a cat is allergies. More people are allergic to cats than to dogs, and cat allergies are oftentimes more severe as well. For people — and especially children — with asthma, cat allergies can be life-threatening. For more on what you need to keep a cat happy indoors, see Chapter 9. Chapter 2 Kitten or Adult? Boy or Girl? One Cat or More? IN THIS CHAPTER An adult cat’s personality may be set, but his affections aren’t — a grown cat bonds with you just as tightly as a kitten does. We think that adult cats are even more likely to appreciate you for taking them in.

In 1947, cat lover Kaye Draper of Cassopolis, Michigan, sought sawdust for her cat’s box from a local business. The firm also sold kiln-dried, granulated clay for cleaning up grease spills. Edward Lowe, son of the shop’s owner, suggested that the woman take home some of the absorbent clay instead, and an industry was born.

Throughout the book, we’ve put icons in place to make it easier to find the information you’re looking for and to emphasize material that’s important not to miss. If you want to go deeper into a topic, we’ve flagged that material too. Here’s how to navigate these icons: Even as cats reign supreme near the top of the pet popularity charts, a lot of people still harbor misconceptions about them. Many of these people would probably enjoy having a cat in their lives if they’d only open their minds and their hearts. The cat then became honored — even worshipped — for a skill we sometimes wish today had been lost along the way: hunting. Before the cat stepped in, rodents had a fine, fat time in the grain storage bins. The cat’s hunting prowess evened the score a great deal and opened the door for small cats from Africa to take over the entire world, carried as useful workers on grain-laden ships throughout the ancient world. Farmers everywhere were grateful for their aid. Interesting fact: Experts believe Hemingway cats, also known as polydactyls, or cats with extra toes, were spread around the world this way. Therefore, visually observing or monitoring the cat during its hour-in-the-box time would alter and prevent an outcome.People: Some people hate cats and go out of their way to hurt them. Others — such as gardeners — feel justified taking action against cats who foul flower beds and vegetable gardens. These people all pose a grave danger to your pet. Still, even though litter boxes can be easy to care for and odor-free, some people refuse to deal with them. Add to these folks the ones who can’t believe a cat can be happy unless he runs free, and you’ve got half of one of the hottest controversies among cat owners: Should cats be kept exclusively indoors, or should cats be permitted outside? Photo depicts two cats, it seems one is exclusivey indoors and other is exclusively outdoors. Be aware of the need for boosters beyond the initial kitten series. The law dictates what must be followed for rabies in each state. Discuss your cat’s lifestyle, including if she’s allowed outside, or has any other potential means of interaction with other cats, or dogs or wild animals. This will determine which vaccines your cat needs to protect her health. People who don’t like cats often complain that a cat chooses a cat hater’s lap out of a whole room full of cat lovers who’d love to offer theirs. This behavior is often given as an example of the independent — or even malicious — nature of the cat. The truth is that something else is at work: Cats feel threatened by direct stares and avoid strangers who take such liberties. In a room full of cat lovers and one cat hater, probably only one person isn’t looking invitingly at the cat — and that’s the one who gets the cat’s vote. Cats love places, not people