The Everything Cat Book

by Davis, Karen Leigh

• ISBN13: 9781593375775
• ISBN10: 1593375778
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-11-30
• Publisher: Adams Media Corp

Summary

Are you a cat owner, (or rather, is your cat a human owner)? Whether you already have a cat or are interested in getting one, The Everything[Registered] Cat Book, 2nd Edition is the purr-fect guide to ensure your cat a long and healthy life! Completely updated and revised, this engaging and informative handbook takes you from picking out your kitten to feeding your kitty right!

Author Biography

Karen Leigh Davis is a professional member of the Cat Writers' Association, Inc.

Table of Contents

Top Ten Fun and Fascinating Feline Tidbits	x
Introduction	xi
Understanding Cats	1	(18)
The Long Process of Domestication	2	(3)
The Cat's Primary Senses	5	(4)
Sleeping and Hunting Habits	9	(2)
How Cats Communicate	11	(3)
Intelligence	14	(1)
How Cats Learn	15	(1)
Magnificent Cousins	16	(3)
All about Breeds	19	(20)
Cat Breeds Overview	20	(4)
Coat-Length Genetics	24	(1)
Shorthaired Cats	25	(3)
Longhaired Cats	28	(3)
Short-Tailed Cats	31	(1)
Cats with Unusual Coats	32	(1)
Wild-Looking Spotted Cats	33	(1)
Cats with Other Striking Features	34	(1)
Cats of Many Colors	35	(4)
Choosing a Cat Companion	39	(16)
The Finer Points of Felines	40	(1)
Important Considerations	41	(3)
Mixed Breed or Purebred?	44	(2)
One Cat or Two?	46	(1)
Male or Female?	47	(2)
Considering an Adult Cat over a Kitten	49	(1)
The Indoor Versus Outdoor Debate	50	(3)
Pet Identification	53	(2)
The Right Cat for You	55	(18)
Taking in a Stray Cat	56	(3)
Adopting from a Shelter	59	(1)
Choosing a Healthy Cat or Kitten	60	(1)
Finding Kittens Through the Classifieds	61	(2)
Hallmarks of a Good Breeder	63	(2)
Finding a Good Breeder	65	(2)
Visiting the Breeder	67	(4)
Buying from a Pet Shop	71	(2)
Preparing for Kitty's Arrival	73	(12)
Pet-Supply Shopping List	74	(1)
Pet Carrier	74	(1)
Cat Food and Dishes	75	(2)
Litter and a Litter Box	77	(1)
Scratching Post	78	(1)
Cat Beds and Perches	79	(1)
Toys	80	(1)
Grooming Supplies	81	(2)
Harness and Leash	83	(2)
A Cat-Safe Home	85	(12)
A Safe, Clean Environment	86	(1)
Cat-Proofing the Indoors	86	(3)
Chemical Hazards	89	(1)
Household Appliances	90	(1)
Toxic Plants	91	(2)
Dangers in the Yard	93	(2)
Holiday Hazards	95	(2)
Kitty Comes Home	97	(12)
Special Arrangements for the First Few Days	98	(2)
Family Introductions	100	(4)
Setting a Basic Routine	104	(1)
Providing a Stable Environment	105	(1)
When Things Don't Work Out	106	(3)
Feline Feeding Basies	109	(12)
Commercial Cat Foods	110	(1)
What to Look for on a Label	111	(1)
Life Stage Feeding	112	(2)
Feeding Strategies	114	(2)
Nutritional Problems	116	(3)
Don't Forget Water	119	(2)
Dealing with Eating Problems	121	(12)
Obesity	122	(1)
Putting a Cat on a Weight-Loss Diet	123	(1)
Preventing Obesity	124	(1)
Keeping Your Cat Active	125	(1)
Leash Training	126	(2)
Dealing with Finicky Eaters	128	(1)
Treats	129	(1)
Feeding in the Multi-Cat Household	130	(3)
Feline Dental Care	133	(12)
The Cat's Teeth	134	(1)
Common Feline Dental Problems	134	(3)
Signs of Dental Problems	137	(1)
Care of Teeth and Gums	138	(3)
Professional Cleaning	141	(1)
Diet and Dental Health	141	(1)
Prevention is the Best Medicine	142	(3)
Grooming Cats	145	(12)
Shedding	146	(2)
Getting Your Cat Used to Grooming	148	(2)
Trimming Nails	150	(1)
Bathing Your Cat	151	(2)
Grooming the Older Cat	153	(1)
Removing Mats	153	(1)
Cleaning Ears	154	(3)
Cat Health Care Basics	157	(20)
The Physical Feline	158	(5)
What to Look for in a Veterinarian	163	(2)
Finding a Good Veterinarian	165
Annual Checkups	164	(5)
Signs of Illness	169	(2)
Medicating Cats	171	(1)
Health Care for the Aging Cat	172	(1)
Euthanasia	173	(4)
Common Illnesses	177	(20)
Feline Diseases	178	(7)
Other Common Conditions	185	(3)
Cancer	188	(1)
Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)	189	(1)
Kidney Dysfunction	189	(2)
Diabetes	191	(1)
Thyroid Disease	192	(1)
Common Conditions in Older Cats	193	(4)
First Aid and Emergency Care	197	(16)
First Aid and Vital Signs	198	(1)
Injuries	199	(5)
Animal Attacks	204	(1)
Burns	205	(1)
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)	206	(1)
Poisoning	207	(1)
Choking	208	(1)
Hypo- and Hyperthermia	208	(3)
Seizures	211	(2)
Parasites of the Cat	213	(12)
Parasitic Infections	214	(1)
Fleas	215	(2)
Ticks	217	(1)
Ear Mites	217	(1)
Other External Parasites	218	(1)
Internal Parasites	219	(2)
Parasites Associated with Flies	221	(1)
Heartworms	222	(1)
Protozoan Parasites	223	(2)
Cat-Training Basics	225	(20)
Scratching Behavior	226	(4)
Litter Box Behavior	230	(3)
Territorial Marking	233	(5)
Plant-Eating Behavior	238	(1)
Jumping Behavior	239	(1)
Teaching Name Recognition	240	(1)
Crate Training	241	(1)
Socialization	241	(4)
Understanding Territorial and Aggressive Behavior	245	(14)
Marking Behaviors	246	(1)
Aggression and Temperament	247	(1)
Fear Aggression	248	(1)
Territorial Aggression	248	(2)
Maternal and Paternal Aggression	250	(1)
Play Aggression	251	(1)
Competitive Aggression	252	(2)
Redirected Aggression	254	(5)
Feline Reproduction	259	(14)
Spaying and Neutering	260	(1)
Reproductive Cycles and Mating	261	(2)
Pregnancy and Gestation	263	(1)
Preparing for Birth	263	(1)
Delivery	264	(2)
Caring for the Mother and Kittens after Delivery	266	(1)
Kitten Development	267	(3)
Good Nurturing Means Good Cats	270	(3)
Breeding Purebred	273	(12)
Cat Shows	274	(1)
Basic Feline Genetics	275	(2)
Creating Breeding Stock	277	(2)
Arranging a Mating	279	(1)
Selling Kittens	280	(3)
Letting the Kittens Go	283	(2)
Showing Cats	285	(12)
When Did Cat Shows Begin?	286	(1)
Why Do People Show Cats?	287	(1)
Cat-Show Classes	288	(2)
Entering a Cat Show	290	(1)
Preparations for the Show	291	(2)
Rehearsing for the Big Day	293	(1)
Arriving at the Show	294	(1)
After the Show	295	(2)
Appendix A: Books and Magazines	297	(2)
Appendix B: Associations, Organizations, and Breed Registries	299	(2)
Index	301