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Introducing your new family member
When introducing your new kitty to other family members and other pets it is important to
start things off on the right paw!
Just like humans, animals each have their own personalities. Some cats like to be included in every
activity, no matter what it may be, and other cats like to sit back and observe before getting involved. Others may
just be very quiet and shy. Your cat will tell you with it's body language how much attention he or she wants or needs.
The best way to help kitty make the transition into a new home is to put her in a quiet room away from noisy
areas of the house. A bedroom with the door closed works well. Your new kitty will sniff and investigate the
room and get used to all the new scents of you and your belongings and find all the hiding places.
Kitten Care Tips:
Never give a kitten or cat cow's milk. Cats are lactose intolerant and milk will cause them stomach upset and diahrea.
Diahrea will cause dehydration and death if not caught early enough. Kitten formula's are available in most supermarkets
and in pet stores and also at your veterinarian. Kitten formula's can come in a powdered form, in which you mix
with water or already in a liquid form. Follow all directions on the formula container.
If you find a new born kitten or a chilled kitten , keep the kitten
warm by wrapping in a soft blanket or towel and holding her close to you. Do not try to warm
the kitten rapidly by using any other means than your body heat. ( Rapid warming will actually cause increased heat
loss and loss of calories and a greater need for oxygen. ) Your body heat will help warm the kitten. Warming
a chilled kitten could take 2-3 hours. If the kitten is chilled Never
try to nurse her. A chilled kitten's stomach and intestines stop working and the formula will not be digested.
This will cause the kitten to bloat and even vomit.
After the kitten has been nursed it is important that you clean the kitten's anal area and abdomen with a damp cloth. This
is what the mother cat does to help the kitten with elimination.
Always keep the kitten warm and away from air conditioning vents and drafts.
More kitten care tips to follow.
ASPCA POISON CONTROL
CENTER
1-888-426-4435
Buy the correct collar. There are
a variety of collars out there and purchasing the wrong one for your cat can have deadly consequences.
Your cat should wear a "break away" collar . This will protect
him should he get his collar snagged or hung up on somethings either inside or outside the house. These
collars will unsnap, freeing your pet from strangulation.
Electrical Cords. Electrical cords can look like a wonderful plaything
to your pet but can also have deadly consequences. Just like children, puppies and kittens like to taste
and chew on new and interesting objects. A cat or dog that has received and electric shock may show burns around
and inside the mouth and on their tongue. The shock may also cause an irregular heartbeat. If your pet has
trouble breathing, the capillaries of their lungs may have been damaged and will lead to the accumulation of fluid in
the air sacs.
If your pet is unconscious, administer artificial breathing and take to your vet immediately.
Before touching your pet make sure the electrical appliance is turned off and unplugged.
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Florida Statutes
Title XLVI Crimes
Chapter 828 Animal Cruelty
828.08 Penalty for Exposing Poison
1st degree Misdemeanor. Up to 1 year in prison.
Up to $1,000.00 fine
If your cat is allowed in the garage, make sure your car is not leaking any substance
onto the floor. Antifreeze (Ethylene Glycol) is one of the most common poisoning agents in dogs
& cats and children! If you suspect that your pet has been poisoned,
rush to the nearest veterinarian clinic or call poison control for immediate instructions.
ASPCA: 1-888-426-4435
If you suspect that someone has poisoned your pet's outdoor food
dish, put the dish and all contents in a plastic bag and transport with pet to the vets office. Any crime of this nature
needs to be reported to the proper authorities so the perpetrators can be prosecuted. Know your state laws pertaining
to animal cruelty and abuse.
Never give a cat Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) or NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs) such as ibuprofen or other aspirin substitutes. These and many other drugs are
highly toxic to cats. Always check with your veterinarian before administering any medication.
Plastic bags
Cat love to play in bags of all kinds but be careful of plastic bags that have handles.
Kitty will get stuck in the handles and could strangle herself. Cats will also panic when they are tangled up in plastic
bags and run and hide. Paper grocery bags make safe, fun toys that will keep your kitty entertained
for hours.
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Being a responsible pet guardian means taking steps to keep your new family member safe, healthy and happy.
We have a tendency to call our pet our "children" and for good reason! Just like children animals learn by trial
and error and can sometimes find themselves in big trouble. Here are some tips to help you keep your "fur baby" safe.
Keep those washing machine lids and toilet seats down!
Although cats are extremely agile, sometimes they don't know what they are leaping into. An open washing
machine lid may not be noticed by a cat is sitting on the floor, but they will find out soon enough when they fall in!
In their panic to get out, the lid can come slamming down on top of them and trap them inside. A bigger problem occurs
when the washer is filled with water. Drowning can occur because the cat is panicked and they
tire from the fatigue of fighting to get out of the water.
Always check your washing machine & dryer before turning on!
Cat's and Kittens love to sleep in piles of clothes and an open washer or dryer filled with laundry is an
invitation to disaster! Always check before closing the lid or door and turning on the machine.
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