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Key Points to Owning a Cat
- Take it to a Vet for a health check and get tested for Cat Leukaemia (see Vet Page for address list)
- Get males neutered, firstly they are cheaper to castrate as is a simpler operation with very little after care and also stops them marking their territory by spraying which means they urinate on corners and edges of furniture. Get female cats and kittens of five months neutered.
- Vaccinate against deadly diseases annually, Cat Flu, Rabies and Cat Leukaemia (Feline Panleucopoenia which is spread by bites from infected cats or carrier cats, kills one in five cats)
- Monthly treat with Stronghold for cats consult your vet for dosage, this prevents infestations from fleas, ticks and mosquitoes (all of which can carry deadly diseases when bitten) and Stronghold prevents internal parasites. See Diseases-Vaccinations page for detailed instructions on how to apply. Cats are extremely clean animals, their ears being the only part of their bodies they cannot keep clean. If their ears look black inside take them to your vet
- Keep your cat in at night, and let him or her out during the daylight. Call in for their dinner at dusk. Cats are domesticated creatures and their instinct will revert if left out at night. This instinct can make them killers of birds and small mammals. So to protect wildlife and to train your cat to be a home pet – please keep it in.
- Feed your cat a small breakfast and a larger dinner. Call in for their dinner – see keeping your cat in at night. Try not to change your cats food if it eats dry food stay with that, if you do want to change to tinned food or visa versa do it very gradually as they can become unwell with sudden diet changes. Cats need protein to survive so they are meat and fish eaters, titbits of these can be given as treats
- Buy an elasticated collar with a bell and a name disc available from www.losanimales.org for 10 euros or free with donations. Put your surname, current telephone number and post code or zip code on it
- Microchip your cat ensure you always update with your current address in Spain, by telling your vet who will inform the central pet database
- Daily provide fresh water
- Provide a litter tray in a quiet place away from bedding and food. Will be for occasional night time use or in case your catis unwell
- Provide a bed, a dedicated soft, dry bed preferably high up on chair not in direct sunlight and away from draughts. Cats feel more secure looking down and this is safer in case you have any other animals
- Provide a scratch post this will encourage and train your cat to keep its claws short on a scratch post from pet shops of can be made from a post with yacht rope wrapped around it available from hard ware stores. An alternative is a lavender tree branch or similar
- Provide a toy, a ball or faux fur spider or a tin foil ball
- Give your cat affection always be gentle with cats and give them some time each day by stroking them, sitting with them, talking to them or combing them. They will reward you with affection back and eventually will come to their name and greet you each time you come home.
- Have two cats, only if related or are kittens. Cats are like humans and love company of their own kind but do not like some other cats
- Report Poison if you know of anyone or any area which you suspect has poison where it is put down to kill cats and dogs and this does happen too often - report the person and or the area firstly to your Vet and secondly to the Local Police - see Vets page and Lost page for telephone numbers - it is your duty
- Lilies and Poisonous plants. Take care what house plants you have and never have lilies which are poisonous to cats. Other plants poisonous to cats are, deadly nightshade, orleanders, lily of the valley, laburnum and foxgloves.
- Adopt an old cat that needs re-homing. All the training is done and they just need some care and a loving home
- Adopt a street cat or a lonely cat. Same as the key points to owning a cat. The very least leave water and food out occasionally for them
- Donate to www.losanimales.org by contacting us by visiting the website. To protect your dog and to prevent road traffic accidents.
- Volunteers, people who can provide temporary homes whilst we search for a permanent home, people to collect money from charity boxes, dog trainers, people who can give a talk to school children educating them about pets and their care, people who can lobby governments to change the law to encourage duty and care of creatures, people who can put up posters, volunteers are always needed by contacting the website
- Buy a Book on Caring for Cats See www.crosskeysbooks.com
Thank you for your attention and we hope you find this useful.
www.losanimales.org
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