Cat Care

  • The feline neuter is one of the simplest surgical procedures performed in all of veterinary medicine. The cat is fasted overnight so that anesthesia is performed on an empty stomach. The scrotum is opened with a small incision and the testicles are brought out. The cords are either pulled free and tied to each other or a small suture is used to tie the cords and the testicle is cut free. The skin incision on the scrotum is small enough so as not to require stitches of any kind.

    Advantages of Neutering

    Male cats benefit greatly from being neutered. It eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and prevents a number of behaviors that can make owning a male cat difficult.

    • Neutered male cats are far less territorial, will rarely spray urine to mark their territory, and their urine will not smell as strong.

    • If you have two male cats, neutering them will dramatically reduce the amount they fight. In fact, neutered cats are generally much more docile and easier to handle.

    • Reduces number of unwanted cats/kittens

  • A spay surgery is the operation done on female cats to make sure they cannot have babies. Spay surgery in Canada is usually an ovariohysterectomy, which means both the ovaries and the uterus are removed. The spaying of a cat or dog is best performed at 5 to 6 months of age.

    BENEFITS OF SPAYING YOUR CATS

    • Reduces the feline overpopulation

    • Prevention of diseases in your cats such as pyometra (infection of the uterus) and mammary cancer (cancer of the mammary glands)

    • Eliminates the chances of developing mastitis (infection of the mammary glands). This can be potentially fatal if not treated in time.

    • Keeps the unwanted male animals away.

    • Prevents diseases of the uterus and ovaries.

    • Eliminates the chances of difficult pregnancy and delivery. This is common in older and ill cats.

  • By the age of three about 70 percent of all cats show signs of dental disease, which can lead to the more serious problems of heart, lung, and kidney disease. Periodontal disease can be prevented and treated. No other procedure performed on small animals does more to help patients than periodic teeth cleaning and after care As plaque and tartar form on teeth and under gums, bacteria collect and multiply. This creates a state of poor dental hygiene that causes foul mouth odor and is cause for concern. Eventually gum disease will develop. More serious health problems, such as heart and kidney disease, may follow. Proper nutrition is central to sound oral health. Along with good nutrition, an annual dental prophylaxis (ultrasonic cleaning, polishing and fluoride treatment) included in your pet’s regular health care program will help maintain good oral hygiene and prevent complications.

  • Most kittens do well at regulating their calorie intake, so it is okay if fed free choice. If a food is labeled “100 percent complete and balanced for all life stages,” it’s okay to feed to your kitten. Don’t feed him a food labeled for “maintenance,” which is for adults only. Canned food, however, should be fed at specific times and picked up if not eaten within 30 minutes or so. If you notice your kitten is getting too chubby then cut back on the amount, you’re feeding her. She should be lean and not chunky and fresh water should be available at all times.

  • Provide a litter pan and ensure that she can climb over the sides. Scoop the pan daily to keep the kitten healthier, conserve litter, and minimize odors. Some cats are very fastidious and won’t use a dirty pan, especially in multi-cat households. Experts recommend you have one litter pan for each cat, plus one.

  • Kittens love to play, and it can be hilarious entertainment for you. Encourage playful exercise by providing the right kind of toys for her. Not only will it improve her muscle tone and vitality but can also prevent heart disease, weight problems, and stress (just like with people!). Make sure the toys are too big to be swallowed and sturdy enough so they cannot be crushed in kitten jaws.

    Do not allow your kitten to play with string, ribbon, thread, yarn, tinsel, or the like. If eaten, any of these items can become lodged in the intestinal tract as a “linear foreign body,” which can lead to a very sick kitten and may require surgery.

  • Provide a spot where your kitten can retreat and sleep. This can be a kitten bed in a quiet dark corner or a box or paper bag, or even a pile of towels or blankets. Keep in mind that cats are by nature nocturnal and so may be quite active during the night hours, a fact to consider when selecting a spot for her to sleep.

  • If your kitten has not already been “fixed” by the time you bring her home, we recommend spaying her or neutering him at 5-6 months of age unless you intend to breed. Not only will you prevent annoying mating behaviors and territorial marking, but you will eliminate the chance of testicular cancer or pyometra, an infectious condition of the uterus. Most importantly, no unwanted kittens will be born.Item description

  • If your kitty is being destructive to your furniture, try training her to use a scratching post by placing it initially in a prominent place and rubbing catnip on it. There are several alternatives to declawing including nail trims, Soft Paws, behavioral training, etc. If declawing is necessary it can be done at the time of spaying or neutering.

Why Should I vaccinate my cat?

When you choose to vaccinate your cat you save them from contracting many diseases-that before vaccines existed were killing pets every day. There are four ‘core vaccines’ that are essential for every cat to have routinely -- Feline rhinotracheitis virus (feline herpes virus), Feline calicivirus Feline panleukopenia and rabies vaccine (rabies is administered separately).

When should the vaccination program begin?

FVRCP-  (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukipenia combination)  a typical routine will be 8, 12 and 16 weeks for the first vaccinations. After the three kitten vaccines, they are generally administered every year. 

Rabies  - vaccination at 14 - 16 weeks of age then every year.

Feline Leukemia - ( For outdoor cats) This vaccine is given at 12 and 16 weeks of age then every year.