Tips for introducing a new cat into your home

Place your kitty, her food dishes and litter pan in a quiet room where you can visit, but she can be away from other animals and the everyday noise of the house for at least a few days. This way she can get used to the sounds, smells and rhythm of the household without becoming frightened or overwhelmed.

If you have a dog, introductions should be closely monitored and made slowly. A cat should never be left alone with a dog, no matter how well behaved and gentle the dog may be, unless the cat has an. "escape route" and a place where it can safely get out of reach of the dog. This will also help prevent injury to the dog, should the cat become panicky for any reason. While your dog may be very gentle, it can unwittingly cause injury to a cat, especially a kitten, if it steps on the kitten, rolls on the kitten, or tries to pick it up in its mouth.

Your cat is gentle and not inclined to scratch, but if she struggles, respect her wish to be put down and left alone. She will get used to you and tolerate more handling as time goes by.

Food and Water

Cats need water. Always have fresh, clean water available (change water daily). A ceramic dish is best, as it keeps the water cooler in the summer. If you have very hard water, give bottled spring water or purified water (such as from a Brita) to help avoid kidney stones and urinary tract problems. Cats have a very narrow urinary tract, and their urine contains high concentrations of various chemicals which can form crystals. Symptoms of urinary blockage are "straining" in the litter pan (frequently getting into the pan, squatting, getting out and repeating this cycle, with no sign of urine being passed), crying in the litter pan, or urinating in "inappropriate" places, pink or bloody urine. If you see any of these symptoms, your cat needs Immediate veterinary attention to save its life. Even an hour or two can cause irreversible kidney damage and a very painful death.

Cats do not tolerate milk well. They have trouble digesting it and can get severe diarrhea from milk. If you wish to give dairy products, we suggest using the specially formulated milk products available in cans or cartons in the cat food section, or sour cream, yogurt (which contains cultures which are healthful for the digestive tract) or cottage cheese. You can also try diluted evaporated milk.

Don't overfeed and avoid giving quantities of table scraps. Don't give sausage or processed meats, smoked foods and chocolate. These can cause pancreatitis, a painful and dangerous inflammation of the pancreas (which regulates the production of insulin in the body). Cats are also known to enjoy some "human" foods which are not harmful. These include cantaloupe and other melons, cucumbers, salad greens and green olives (not the cured type). The rule of thumb is, whatever your companion enjoys and which does not cause diarrhea should be given as an occasional treat.

Cats are by nature nibblers or snackers. Leave a bowl of dry food out, and feed a small amount (1/4 of a 6 oz can) ora high quality commercial canned cat food (not a generic brand) twice a day.. Look for the AAFCO approval on the label. Although most cats love tuna, this is not a good diet for them. Fish based foods are associated with food allergies in cats, and should be given only occasionally. Most cats prefer a flat or shallow dish for eating their wet food, so that their whiskers don't hit the sides of a bowl. Wash the dish used for canned food daily. Any food preferences she may have will have been explained to you at the time of adoption.

Don't place the litter pan too close to food and water dishes. Humans don't generally like to eat in the bathroom, and cats don't either.

Maintaining Health

Find a veterinarian you like and trust; have regular visits, at least once a year. Have your vet show you how to check your cat's teeth as she gets older. Tartar build up can cause gum infections which can cause tooth loss, and can spread bacteria to internal organs, causing them to cease functioning.

Become familiar with your cat's habits and behavior. Changes in habits and behavior can indicate a serious illness requiring veterinary help. Here are some things to watch for:

Scoop the litter pan often, and change the litter at the first sign of odor. A cat has a much better sense of smell than a human, and may refuse to use a box which is soiled. The new scoopable litters remain odor free longer than conventional clay litter. Some cats are very fussy about the type of litter you use. Changes in litter box habits, such as going on the floor can mean the litter has an odor she doesn't like (try changing the brand of litter you use). It can also mean that the litter pan is in too noisy a place. Cats like privacy. If she spends a lot of time in the box but doesn't produce anything; if she cries in the box or immediately after leaving the box, licks herself energetically for long periods after getting out of the box, or if there is blood in the urine or feces, seek veterinary help IMMEDIATELY. She may have a serious urinary tract infection, or a urinary blockage which can painfully kill a cat within hours

Scratching or digging at ears, a bad smell from the ears, or black greasy discharge may indicate ear mites, an ear infection, or a troublesome build up of wax. Your vet can show you how to clean your cat's ears.

Sneezing, coughing, or discharge from the nose or eyes should be referred to a vet; she may have an upper respiratory infection. If the eye discharge is yellowish or white, or if the eye appears cloudy or she has it partially or completely closed, she may have an eye infection or eye injury.

Lumps may be abscesses (an infection sometimes caused by a wound) or may be tumors. A tumor may not be dangerous, but should be evaluated by your vet.

Any difficulty breathing, walking or standing should be treated as a life threatening situation.

Long haired or fluffy coated cats need some human assistance to maintain proper grooming. While they are very proficient at cleaning themselves and rarely need a "bath", cats can develop "mats" in their fur, particularly in the "armpit", on the belly, and on the "thighs" between the back legs. These mats pull the skin, causing pain and interfering with circulation. They do not go away by themselves, and become larger with time. Most cats, if they are combed or brushed regularly at a young age, learn to enjoy being brushed or combed, and this can become part of your special quality time with your companion.

(although you may wish to train her to walk on a leash). It is not necessary for cats to go outside, and there are serious health risks for cats who are allowed to go out. She could be hit by a car, injured by another animal, get lost or be taken by someone. She could bring home ear mites, worms, ticks or fleas, which could spread to you. An indoor kitty also is not at risk of contracting Feline Leukemia, a pe~cious and potentially

deadly disease. Because they are not at risk to contract the disease, which requires direct contact with an infected cat, you do not need to have her immunized for this disease. Purrfect Companions, on the advice of its veterinarian, does not immunize for FeLV due to a significant risk of injection site sarcomas (a deadly cancer) related to the use of this vaccine. F eL V vaccination should be administered only to cats at risk of developing the disease. This includes cats allowed to wander outdoors, or those living in a household with an FeL V infected cat.

Anytime you take your cat in your car, she should be in a cat carrier. This precaution will prevent her being lost if she becomes frightened, and will also keep her from causing an accident while you are driving. Most cats which become frightened when outside will not return to you, no matter how well they come to your call when they are inside. They are doomed to live miserably and to die horribly.

If you have any questions, please contact Purrfect Companions, or call your vet.