CATS
As UK lifestyles and working practices have changed, cats have gradually overtaken dogs for being the most popular pet. They are generally self sufficient, requiring no formal exercising and being adaptable to litter training, which means they are more suitable to homes where they may be on their own for much of the day.
Cats are independent and indeed it is actually difficult to establish ownership of a cat. However, they can still be loyal and affectionate despite their aloof natures! Although cats are naturally nocturnal, free-ranging predators, they adapt well to an indoor life.
Domestic cats- long haired or short haired -are the most common breeds, and are always in ready supply from farms and rescue or welfare organizations. Pure breeds from British Blues to the more highly strung oriental varieties are widely available from specialized breeders but at a higher price. The feral population of wild and stray cats means that fighting and unwanted pregnancies are a widespread problem amongst the species.
Breeding
Neutering is generally carried out from 6 months of age but by that age cats may be sexually active so it is important to confine them prior to this time. A pregnancy lasts for 8-9 weeks and litters of blind kittens are usually born without intervention. Suckling takes place quickly after birth to provide essential colostrum for the kittens, which need no other nutrition than their mothers milk for the first month of life. Weaning normally occurs at about eight weeks of age and prior to this it is important that the kittens begin to sample a variety of solid foods such as meat and cereals. It is not necessary to give them cows milk, and indeed occasional intolerances may occur although this is not common.
Kittens
Antibodies gained from the mother and via her colostrum will protect the new kittens for several weeks and it is advised that avaccination is then given, typically starting at 9 weeks of age. Microchipping can also be done at this age to help ensure a cats safe return if he or she should stray. Also until about 4 months of age it is important to introduce other animals and people to the kittens, this “socialization” period is when they learn their place in animal and human society. House training is generally simple - placing litter trays in quiet spots and putting the kitten there after feeding is often all that is necessary for a young kitten.
Feeding And Diet
Cats are obligate carnivores requiring meat in their diets to provide them with essential nutrients. At weaning most kittens are fed four times a day but this will reduce to three times, then to twice daily at around 4 months of age. Regular small meals are easily digested so it is not necessary to cut down to a single meal. Indeed many cats prefer to “graze”and most will only eat the required amount of food, unlike their canine counterparts. The biggest decision is whether to feed a moist or dry diet or a combination of the two. Cats fed on moist food often have a minimal water requirement, unlike those fed on a dry diet, but as for all animals, ad lib water should always be available. The choice of diet can also reflect a preference for a certain manufacturer, such as Hills, and more frequently age, lifestyle or health issues.
Grooming
Short haired cats in good health require little or no grooming. However, all long haired breeds will need some attention, and failure to groom adequately will result in matting of the fur which is uncomfortable and difficult to clear. Problems often happen in old age and during the late winter and spring when moulting occurs naturally. At this time self-grooming by cats is likely to result infur-balls, which present as hacking coughing and sometimes vomiting.
Such problems can be prevented by regular grooming.
Fighting
Cats are territorial and will fight each other over territory, food and a mate. Often a dominant, typically intact tom cat can terrorize a neighbourhood and cats are frequently presented at the veterinary surgery with abscesses to the head, tail and back feet from cat fights. These bite wounds usually require antibiotics to settle them, and can be extremely painful. They also represent a common means of transmission for the Feline Leukaemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.
Cat Behaviour
Whilstthe majority of cats are quite independent from their owners and can lead fairly ‘aloof’ lifestyles, there are a proportion of cats for whom the interface between the human and the feline world is fraught with anxiety and stress related behaviours can result. These can manifest themselves as temporary glitches in an otherwise ‘normal’ cat or, sadly, there can often be long standing or even permanent changes to the cats’ behaviour. These changes can include destructive scratching, or urine marking within the home.
Feline Scent Communication
Cats are territorial animals and mark out their territory using scent markings of naturally produced chemicals, or ‘pheromones’. These pheromones are deposited onto familiar objects around the home when the cat rubs its head and chin onto furniture etc. These chemicals mark out a cat’s territory and in so doing confer a feeling of security for the cat.
Any changes in a cat’s environment, such as moving home, can increase the level of anxiety experienced by the cat. The increased anxiety may lead to an increased frequency or a change in type of marking and this may be urine spraying or scratch marking.
Urine spraying is an important means of territorial marking and is done in both male and female cats. Whilst acceptable outside, urine spraying indoors is often not tolerated due to the offensive smell of cats’ urine. An anxious cat will urine spray around the home to try to reinforce its position of status within the home.
Scratching offers both a visual and chemical means of territorial marking. Should scratching be confined to just a few specific sites then it is probably just a means of keeping the claws sharpened. However, should the scratching become generalised and be done around doors,windows or on corners of sofas it can indicate that the cat has become anxious about a recent change in its immediate environment.
How Do I Control These Behaviours?
In trying to bring these negative behaviours under control it is important to first rule out any physical reasons for them. A urine infection, for example, will often lead to an increase in frequency of urination and this is often seen as uncontrolled urine spotting around the home. Your veterinary surgeon will be able to examine your cat for such problems.
It is also important to recall any big changes that may have occurred in the home environment. Such changes may be unavoidable, such as moving house or the arrival of a new baby, but at least if we can explain the cause we are more likely to be able to control the problem.
Products are available which can help control the effect of stress on your cats behaviour.
Feliway reproduces the pacifying properties of natural facial hormones and so can confer a feeling of well-being and security. It is available in an electronic diffuser form for use in rooms where urine marking or scratching have become a problem, or in households where a new cat or new family member may have upset the normal, happy ‘status quo’. The Feliway plug-in electronic diffuser acts in the same way as an air-freshener and releases pheromones for about a month. This may be sufficient to settle the cat down or a longer term of treatment may be required.
The diffuser will cover an area of between 50-70 square metres only, so if a few rooms are affected by the inappropriate marking then a second diffuser is needed.
For more localised problems, such as urine spraying or marking on a few specific locations the Feliway Sprayis available.The product can be sprayed directly onto the sites marked by the cat and should be applied once a day for about 30 days.
Feliway spray may also be used to control the stress to the cat involved with travelling. It can be applied to the inside of the cat basket 15 minutes before the start of the journey. The resultant reduction of anxiety may also help to prevent travel sickness.
Feliway spray can also be used to ease the transition of a cat into a new home or cattery- where it can be sprayed daily into the corners of the run.
Common Infectious Diseases
Vaccination is now commonplace and offers good protection against a range of common virus’ and bacteria causing cat flu,enteritis and Leukemia
Cat flu is highly contagious and can be a life threatening illness in young or debilitated cats and cause chronic permanent damage to many sufferers. The principal agents are Herpes virus causing respiratory and eye infection, and Calicivirus often causing ulceration to the tongue. Chlamydia will not always be covered In a routine cat flu vaccination, but is a common cause of persistent eye infections.
Retrovirus’ cause slow, progressive disease often resulting in immune weakness. Infection is achieved typically from cat bites or mating and is more common in larger colonies. Unlike flu they cannot be passed without direct contact.
Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV)can be routinely vaccinated against. The disease usually results in poor immune status, but commonly also triggers the development of serious widespread tumours. Occasionally cats can recover but more typically a slow and steady decline will result. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) vaccines are not yet available. The disease progress is similar to FeLV but outcomes through feline immunodeficiency virus are generally even less favourable.
Toxoplasmosis should be considered because of the risk of human infection. The disease is transmitted in faeces and can cause foetal abnormalities and abortion in humans and sheep as well as disease in cats. In cats the disease can manifest as enteritis but neurological disease is also common. For this reason pregnant ladies should never handle cat litter and should always exercise good hygiene when handling cats.
Roundworms are spread from cat to cat via faecal contamination with worm eggs. Signs of infestation may be weight loss, poor coat, vomiting, and diarrhoea sometimes with blood streaking. By the time the spaghetti like worms are observed in faeces or vomit the infestation is normally quite severe. Regular preventative treatment such as ‘Drontal Cat’ is recommended.
Tapeworms have a more complex life cycle requiring an intermediate host, typically rodent prey or fleas, without which infestation cannot spread between cats. Outdoor cats are routinely affected, and while the symptoms of infestation are similar to those with roundworm, it is more common to observe segments (about the size of a rice grain) on the coat near the cat’s anus.Routine treatments such as ‘Drontal Cat’are recommended every three months.
Old Cats, Ageing And Signs Of Ill Health
The typical life expectancy for a cat is about fifteen years and with improved modern diets more cats are achieving this age. Geriatric cats suffer from several common diseases.
Renal failure affects the majority of cats and is caused by an irreversible loss of functioning kidney tissue. Typical symptoms include poor appetite with increased thirst, and often weight loss and reduced muscle tone. Renal failure is a strong reason to consider specific diets for geriatric cats and indeed while medical treatments have improved in recent years an appropriate renal diet such asHills R/d does more to slow down disease progress than any other treatment.
Hyperthyroidism is another very commonly diagnosed condition in old cats. The hyperactive thyroid gland produces too much circulating thyroid hormone which results in a greater metabolic rate. Symptoms include unsettled and vocal behaviour, and often an increased appetite is accompanied by weight loss. An over active thyroid gland can be successfully treated both medically and surgically.
Dental disease often begins to severely affect cats from middle age. The progress of tooth decay and gingivitis can be moderated by dentaldiets like ‘Hills t/d’, toothpastes such as ‘Logic Oral Hygiene’ or ‘CET’ and brushing. Signs of drooling halitosis and difficulty with eating should be recognised early to avoid the necessity for excessive surgical treatments under anaesthetic.
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