Christine Church - House Cat: How to Keep Your Indoor Cat Sane and Sound

House Cat

Revised

How to Keep Your Indoor Cat

Sane and Sound

Christine Church

Copyright 2005 by Christine Church. All rights reserved.

Howell Book House

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data: Church, Christine.

House Cat : how to keep your indoor cat sane and sound / Christine Church. Rev.

p. cm.

Includes index.

ISBN 0-7645-7741-7 (pbk.)

1. Cats. I. Title.

SF447.C5 2004

636.8dc22

2004023104

Printed in the United States of America

Revised Edition

All photos by Christine Church, except where noted.

Book production by Wiley Publishing, Inc. Composition Services

For Taffy, whose life brought sunshine to mine and all who knew her. I am glad I was able to give you sunshine in the end. August 1983September 2001

For Teisha, who, despite her blindness, could see very clearly into my heart for the ten years she was with me. ??February 2002

For Candy, thank you for two decades of love and holding your large double paw in my hand at night when I was alone. September 1983August 2003

And, to Gillie, always the trooper, who battled cancer with a spirit like none other. A true inspiration, you learned to walk on three legs as if you were born to it and you never let illness bring you down. Always happy, always loving. You greeted every stranger with purrs and head-butts and brought smiles to all who met you. I miss how you would grab my manuscript pages as I worked and try to run off with them. You were gone from my life far too soon. June 20, 1992February 18, 2004

A very special dedication to New England Veterinary Oncology Group (NEVOG), who cared for Gillie with gentle hands and gentle hearts. To Dr. Kim L.Cronin, DVM, DACVIM

(oncology), a fantastic vet and wonderful person. And to the receptionists (Sandi, thank you for the laughs) and to the techs. You treated and saw Gillie as one of the family, letting him hop around behind the reception desk, always greeting him with big smiles and lots of treats. It made his experience (and the long drive for my brother and me) so much more bearable. I will never forget you. You gave Gillie life, until he chose his own time to move on. Thank you!

And to my brother, Correy, for taking the time to bring Gillie and me to each appointment. Thank you!

Gillie, June 1992February 2004

Contents

Preface, ix

Acknowledgments, xi

Introduction, 1

Safety in the Eyes of the Cat, 7

Understanding Danger, 8 Outdoor Dangers, 10 More Pointsto Ponder, 18 Making the Decision, 21

Important Introductions, 23

Before Bringing Your New Cat Home, 24 Cat-Proofing, 26

Bringing Kitty Home, 32 Introducing People, 35 Meeting OtherCats, 38 Introducing Other Animals, 42 Carrier Training, 45

Setting House Rules, 48 Acclimating Your Cat to the Indoors, 52

v

vi

CONTENTS

Understanding Your Cats Mind, 59

When a Cat Is Just Being a Cat, 60 Stress and Its Causes, 62

Feline Rivalry, 62 Loneliness, 69 Jealousy or a Change inRoutine, 72 Death or Divorce, 73 Signs of Stress, 74 StressRelievers, 78 The Cat-Friendly Home, 85

Bathroom Duty, 89

Litter Box Fillers, 90 Making Your Choice, 95 Litter Boxes, 96

Where to Put the Box?, 98 Litter Box Liners, 100 Maintenance andOdor Control, 100 Toilet Training, 103 Litter Box Problems, 104

Training and Retraining, 110

The Claws That Scratch, 115

Why Cats Scratch, 116 The Mechanics of Claws, 117 Cat Treesand Posts, 119 One Post or Two?, 125 Scratching Post Training,126 Breaking Bad Habits, 127 The Declawing Controversy, 129

Other Alternatives, 131

Cat Hair Everywhere, 135

The Cats Coat, 135 Grooming, 137 Bathing a Cat, 142 A HealthyCoat, 145 Home Sweet Cat Home, 145 Other Cat Messes, 148

The Outdoor Indoor Cat, 151

Outdoor Enclosures, 152 Bringing the Outdoors Indoors, 156 LeashTraining, 156

Your Healthy Cat, 161

Know Thy Cat, 161 The Home Health Exam, 162 Neutering YourCat, 165 Vaccinations, 166 Common Ailments, 168 MoreSerious Ailments, 176 Caring for a Sick Cat, 179 HouseholdEmergencies, 184 Natural Disasters, 193

CONTENTS

vii

The Lost Cat, 197

What to Do, 198 What Not to Do, 201 Preventing Escapes, 202

Identification, 202

Cats in the Kitchen, 207