Editors of Womans Day - I (Love) My Cat!: The Guide to Choosing, Grooming, Raising and Caring for Your Cat

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Copyright 2010 Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Inc.

First published in 2010 in the United States of America by

Filipacchi Publishing

1633 Broadway

New York, NY 10019

Womans Day is a registered trademark of Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Inc.

First eBook Edition: November 2010

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

ISBN: 978-1-936297-03-0

If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat.

Mark Twain

The smallest feline is a masterpiece.

Leonardo da Vinci

A kittens cuteness is the major reason people end up adopting one before they have researched how to choose, nurture, feed or care for their new pet. Just the sight of a kittens adorable pansy face, tiny nose, bright eyes and itsy-bitsy tail, and often hearts make decisions that brains might not.

Cats can live to be 20 years old or older, so adopting one is a serious commitment of time and money. Its hard to visualize the cons when you look into a gorgeous kitten face, but the reality is that kittens can be destructive and, if handled improperly, can scratch or bite. They need to be fed, their litter box needs to be cleaned frequently and they need routine health care. Kittens dont stay little fuzzballs, either. They grow up to be cats and lose their kittenish looks.

Still interested in adopting a kitten? The information in this book will help you to choose, raise, understand and care for your new furry pal.

Cats are exceptionally warm animals. In fact, most people do not know that the average body temperature of a cat is 101.5F, a few degrees higher than a humans own 98.6F. Here are some other interesting facts that you likely never knew about cats.

• Functions of whiskers Have you ever wondered why cats have whiskers? The long hairs, which are flexible and about three times thicker than the rest of a cats hair, have several purposes. Whiskers work as motion detectors and help cats find their way around. Whiskers are also indicative of a cats mood, so be sure to pay attention to your kittys whiskers. The less relaxed the whiskers are, the more likely your cat is to be frustrated or angry.
• Largest and smallest cats Many people may already know that tigers are the largest cat. However, here are some interesting animal facts that you may not know. Tigers can weigh up to 800 pounds, about eight times the size of a very large dog. The Singapura, which is a domestic breed, is the smallest type of cat. On average, these cats weigh about 5 pounds, which is no more than a teacup dog. The Ragdoll, which can weigh up to 20 pounds, is the largest domestic cat breed.
• Their own fingerprints Humans are not the only ones with personally unique features. One of the most interesting animal facts about both domestic and wild felines is that they each have something which is uniquely their own. It is their nose, which is made up of a pattern of different ridges. Believe it or not, no two cats have the same exact nose.
• More bones and sleep than humans Did you know that a cat has more bones than you do? Humans have 206 bones, whereas cats have 230. On average, cats sleep 16 hours a day, which is double the daily recommended amount of sleep for humans.
• Cats and their senses Kittens are born deaf. Their sense of hearing does not develop for a few weeks. Cats also have a very strong sense of smell, so keep in mind that the litter box smells stronger to them than it does to you.
• Overpopulation of cats A cat has the potential to give birth to 100 kittens in her lifetime. Litters usually consist of anywhere between one and eight kittens and may occur two to three times a year. Cats are twice as likely to end up in an animal shelter than dogs are. Be sure to have your cat spayed or neutered to prevent adding to overpopulation.

You have your heart set on an adorable Persian. But the tabby next to her might be a better fit. One of the biggest mistakes when choosing a cat is picking purely on looks. Before the cuteness factor takes over completely, ask yourself:

Dont let your kids pleas direct your decision. First, consider allergies. About 10 million Americans are allergic to cat dandermake sure your family isnt among them.

Second, think about other pets you have. Consult with your vet to see if a cat will be compatible with your dog or other pet. Also ask the vet about specific traits. Some breeds are more sociable (like Siamese) and some are more prone to health problems (such as kidney disease in Abyssinians).

Finally, be honest about upkeep. Like any pet, cats come with a price tag: food, litter, vet visits. Earmark a savings fund for your cat in case of an emergency ($200 or so), or consider pet insurance.

Most kittens are furballs of energythey get into everything. But some of them are a bit less hyper (though not much!).

If you get a kitten thats at least 6 months old, youll be able to tell if its social and active or quiet and laid-back. If possible, bring the cat home for a day before you commit to see how it interacts with your family.

Just look at that gorgeous, healthy kitty curled up on your sofa. Everything from the swish of her tail to the shine in her eyes lets you know what a strong and healthy cat she is. You can judge a cats health just by watching her behavior and examining her physical characteristics.