Guide To Spaying And Neutering Cats

When it comes to desexing one's cat many owners have a crisis of conscience; should I have my lovable puss spayed or my gregarious tom neutered? Rest assured, a sterilized cat lives a happier, healthier life and often makes a much better pet than an intact animal.

Be aware that if you don't have your beloved pet 'fixed-up' it may be prone to a host of feline diseases and ailments, and if you've ever smelt the pervasive odor of an intact tomcat's urine you'll be straight off to the vet without a moments hesitation!

With a male cat (neutering or castration), both testicles are surgically removed. The procedure is done under general anesthetic and for the testes to be removed only tiny incisions are needed, usually with no stitches required. Kittens and adult cats can be neutered starting as young as six months old before puberty strikes, however some claim that the operation can occur at an even younger age than this; consult your vet. Your post-op infertile cat should become less aggressive and territorial, will roam less and, thankfully, won't spray that horrid scented urine! An added benefit is that your tom will not develop testicular cancer and will have a lesser chance of suffering prostate problems.

For female cats (queens), renowned for being very efficient breeders, it is wise to have them spayed by six months of age. In springtime and in households with more than one cat, reproduction can actually occur earlier than this. A cat in heat often displays strange behavior, with distinct howls and pained writhing so be alert to these signs. Spaying or 'ovariohysterectomy', surgically removing the uterus and ovaries, is performed under general anesthesia. The incision in the cat's abdomen is closed up with stitches often needing removal after 10 days. As with toms, desexed queens are less likely to develop certain diseases; the chances of having malignant breast cancer or 'pyometra' (uterine infection) are greatly reduced.

Although neutering and spaying are irreversible procedures it is worth reminding that tens of thousands of unwanted cats are put to death each year in the United States alone. Considering this alarming statistic it may be a wise idea to seriously consider having your beloved pet neutered. The procedures are safe, affordable and if any post operative complaints occur it is a simple matter of returning to the Vet for further advice.

Be responsible and have your cat desexed and be content in knowing that none of your beloved companion's positive personality traits will be affected.

Common Types Of Aggressive Behaviours Between Cats!

Aggressive behavior that commonly occurs between cats is often based on territorial reasons rather than matters of hierarchy. With back arched, tail bristling, dilated pupils, and much spitting and hissing, the sight of an aroused cat can be quite a daunting one.

Under normal circumstances, cats are usually fairly tolerant of one another; any disputes are often mild and quickly resolved without too much fuss. However, when two large, intact toms, equally matched, have a spat concerning territorial behavior, the fighting can be fierce and destructive for both parties. The fighting may also occur over mating rights with any available Queen (female cat).

For Queens, maternal aggression may occur when the mother cat defends her young against another too inquisitive cat. This style of defensive behavior seems entirely appropriate and healthy in order to assure the safety and well-being of the kittens.

In multi-cat households, aggression at feeding time can be a common problem. A cat may lash out at and intimidate another cat if it thinks that it may be missing out on its share of sustenance. A pattern of attack can often be observed where one animal picks on the same victim each time.

Aggressive behavior between kittens from the same litter sometimes occurs yet some of it is play fighting or mock aggression where each one attempts to assert its independence. At 14 weeks of age the fighting often becomes more serious and the bonds of kitten-hood are soon broken; serious injury is comparatively rare however.

Because of their razor-sharp teeth and claws as well as lightning quick reflexes, aggressive behavior between cats can result in injuries, yet cats from the same household will still attack another member from time to time. The introduction of a new cat into the house can be a trigger for upsets and fights. The aggression displayed is often fear-based and may seem out-of-character for some normally placid felines.

Although it may not be pleasant to witness, a good old-fashioned cat fight is bound to happen from time to time so be prepared!

Tips For Choosing Cat Food

When choosing the best cat foods to feed your hungry pet always be sure that the nutritional balance of the meal is well-considered and that you don't overfeed your cat; this is especially true when important when one considers the often sedentary lifestyle of the modern feline when compared with its hunting ancestors.

Cats are what are known as 'obligate carnivores', a fancy term that means they obtain a lot of their nutrition through sources of animal protein. Never think that you could raise a vegetarian cat as their physiology's just aren't geared for this!

Contrary to what many believe, commercially-produced cat food is actually a satisfactory choice to include in your pet's diet. Check the labels carefully and shop around for the healthiest, vitamin-enriched selections. Always be aware that depending on the age of your cat will determine exactly what foods to buy; young kittens expend more energy than an adult cat so will need different dietary requirements.

Budgeting aside, when shopping, whether selecting dry food (or kibble), semi-moist food - with higher water content or canned food, choose quality products and research pet food companies if you have any doubts; call them up if needed, your cat deserves the best! If feeding your pet a tailor-made fresh diet then be sure that it is getting all of the required nutrients, otherwise vitamin supplements may be needed.

A cat's diet should contain the following elements in order to optimize health:

* Protein - higher levels needed than any other domesticated species.
* Fat - in reduced amounts.
* Carbohydrates - used for fuel and a large component of commercial cat foods.
* Vitamins - a balanced selection.
* Amino acids - especially taurine.
* Minerals - Calcium and phosphorous.
* Water - A cat is 60 -70% water in makeup.

NO-NO's -
There are some foods that a cat should NOT consume, including cow's milk and chocolate. Houseplants, electrical cords, pennies, yarn, string, rubber bands, thread and tinsel may all look appetizing to your cat but can result in internal injuries.

Choose quality foodstuffs for your cat's diet and feed sensible-sized meal portions in order to maintain purrrfect health; Bon apetit!