A practical guide to acquiring and keeping a feline, The Complete Guide to Caring for Your Cat offers everything you need to know in a handy pocket format. It covers subjects as diverse as how to introduce a cat into your home, understanding cat behaviour, feline nutrition and caring for older animals. A directory section covers 20 popular cat breeds, presenting essential information on the origins of each breed, their suitability for different environments and family situations, and any needs or behavioural tendencies peculiar to the breed. There is a comprehensive chapter on monitoring health, signs of illness and first aid. The book also offers advice on making your home cat-friendly. This book, filled with stunning full-colour photography, is both a perfect introduction for new cat owners and a valuable source of reference for long-established cat lovers.
Table of Contents
Cats and People 8; Domestication; Breeding; Cats and People; Your New Cat 18; Pedigree or non-pedigree? Kitten or adult? Choosing the sex; Choosing the individual; One or two? Integrating a new cat with esiting pets; Introducing a cat to children; Cat Breeds 34; The most popular recognized breeds and their characterstics; Caring for Your Cat 54; A cat bed and bedding; litter and litter trays; feeding utensils; Collar; Toys; A scratching post; A cat door; A cat basket; Arriving home with your cat; Grooming; Travelling with your cat; Nutrition 76; A balanced diet; Water; Fats; Carbohydrates; Minerals; Vitamins; Fibre; Energy; Commercial or home-cooked; Commercial diets; Home-cooked diets; Feeding; Nutrition problems; Understanding Your Cat 98; The feline social system; The cat-human relationship; A kitten's social development; The cat's sense of smell; Vision; Sound; Vocalization; Behaviour problems; Breeding and Reproduction 134; A new member of the family; Giving birth; Rearing; The Mature Cat 142; A happy retirement; Signs of old age; Caring for an elderly cat; Thinking about a replacement; The final days; Making the decision; The grieving process; Euthanasia; Burial or cremation; Counselling; Health and First Aid 160; The veterinary clinic; The immune system; Vaccination; Feine respiratory diseeases; FIE; FeLV; Rabies; External Parasites; Internal Parasites; TABLE; Monitoring Your Cat's Health; First Aid; Index 188; Credits 192
Author Biography
Author Graham Meadows spent many years as a veterinary surgeon in rural England and New Zealand, later becoming curator of Auckland Zoo. Working with animals over many years has enabled him to acquire an encyclopedic knowledge of their characteristics and an understanding of their behaviour. Apart from many children's books, he has written An Illustrated Guide to Cats and An Illustrated Guide to Dogs, The Noble Cat and The Dog Owner's Handbook. Author Elsa Flint brings a specialist MSc (hons) qualification in Behavioural Zoology to this book. At her practice in Devonport, New Zealand, she deals with problem animals daily and is determined to reduce the number destroyed because of their behaviour. Elsa is pursuing post-graduate studies in animal behaviour and has a particular interest in human-animal communication. Consultant Rita Davis is executive editor of Dog and Kemel, Cats and Kittens, and Bird Times magazines in the United States.
