[Dummies 01] • Cats for Dummies by Spadafori, Gina -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Title Contents Introduction

What Cats Know . . . and What We Want You to Know Welcome to the Age of the Cat! Approaching Cat Ownership as an Informed Consumer How This Book Is Organized Icons Used in This Book Some Final Words How to Reach Us

Part I : Starting to Think Cat Chapter 1: A New Appreciation of the Cat

From Humble Beginnings: How Cats Became So Popular Some Common Misconceptions about Cats — and the Facts Can You Have a Cat If You Have Allergies? The Indoor versus Outdoor Controversy

Chapter 2: Narrowing the Choices

Kitten or Cat: Which Is a Better Choice for You? She-Kitty, He-Kitty: Which One’s Better? Let the Fur Fly Should You Consider a Pedigreed Cat? Characteristics by Breed The Not-So-Ordinary Everyday Cat

Chapter 3: Considering Sources

What You Need to Know about Shelters Volunteer Rescue-and-Placement Groups Breeders: The Reputable, the Ill-Informed, and the Avoid-at-All-Costs Pet Stores: What about Those Kittens in the Window? Your Neighbor’s (Or Coworker’s) Kittens

Chapter 4: Ferals: Special Cats, Special Considerations

Help for the Wild Ones Getting Your Feet Wet: How to Help Learning to Care for Feral Cats

Part II : Bringing a Cat or Kitten into Your Life Chapter 5: Choosing Your Feline Companion

Evaluating the Environment Choosing a Kitten Considering the Second-Chance Kitty Recognizing Good Health in Kittens and Cats Taking a Leap of Faith with Your Eyes Open!

Chapter 6: Getting the Relationship Started Right

Pre-Cat Preparations Bringing Your New Pet Home Hello, Kitty!

Chapter 7: Learning Feline Body Language

Making Sense of Cat Senses Speaking “Cat”

Chapter 8: All the Right Stuff

Finding the Best for Your Cat A Place to Go Kitty Come Home: Collars, Tags, and Microchips A Place to Scratch Sweet Dreams: Beds Bowls and Waterers Home Away from Home: The Carrier The Ins and Outs of Cat Doors Cool Toys for Your Cat More Fun Stuff

Part III : Maintaining a Happy, Healthy Cat Chapter 9: Good Grooming

Fur, the Purrfect Complement Why Cats Groom What’s in It for You? Tools of the Trade The Importance of Patience Keeping Kitty Coats in Shape Clipping Your Cat’s Claws

Chapter 10: Feeding Your Cat

Convenience . . . at a Price? Maintaining the “Perfect” Cat Diet Fulfilling Basic Nutritional Needs Choosing Foods Curbing Eating Problems

Chapter 11: Preventive Health Care for Your Cat

Recognizing Signs of Good Health and Bad Choosing a Veterinarian Understanding Your Veterinarian’s Role in Preventing Illness

Chapter 12: Common Cat Health Problems

A Cooperative Approach to Cat Health When Does My Cat Need a Specialist? Ten Common Health Problems Giving Your Cat Medication

Chapter 13: Caring for an Older Cat

How Old Is “Old”? Normal Signs of Aging Special Care for Kitty Teeth Common Problems Knowing When It’s “Time”

Part IV : Living Happily with Your Cat Chapter 14: Solving Behavior Problems

Understanding “Bad” Behavior Looking at the Root of Unwanted Behavior Strategies for Changing Behavior Attacking Behavior Problems

Chapter 15: Getting Good Litter Box Behavior

Defining the Problem Is Your Cat Sick? Use the Box, Kitty! Stopping Sprayers in Their Tracks

Chapter 16: Littering: Should Your Cat Become a Parent?

The Case Against Breeding Spaying and Neutering: What’s Involved? The Birds and the Bees, Kitty-Style Caring for a Pregnant Cat Happy Birth Day, Babies Kitten Development Saying Good-bye to the Babies

Chapter 17: One Is Never Enough: The Multicat Household

You’re in Good Company Adding to the Family Caring for More than One Cat Multicat Medical Concerns

Chapter 18: Out and About with Your Cat

Is Your Cat Up to Travel? Leaving Your Pet Behind Taking Your Pet with You Moving Your Cat to a New Home

Part V : The Part of Tens Chapter 19: Ten Cat Myths Debunked

Cats Have Nine Lives Cats Need to Drink Milk Cats Purr Whenever They’re Happy Cats Eat Plants if They’re Sick Cats Are Dangerous around Babies Cats Can Be Kept from Using Their Claws A Well-Fed Cat Doesn’t Hunt Cat Fur Causes Allergies Black Cats Are Bad Luck All Calicoes Are Female

Chapter 20: Ten Things to Know in Case of Disaster

Have a Plan Corral Your Cat Maintain Your Cat’s ID Keep Preventive Care Measures and Health Records Current Have Restraints Ready Rotate the Supplies Your Cat Needs Keep First-Aid Supplies on Hand — with Directions Know the Locations of Nearby Veterinary Hospitals and Other Animal Services Keep a “Lost Kitty” Kit Ready Be Prepared to Help Others

Chapter 21: Ten Cat-Related Attractions on the Information Superhighway

A Link for Everyone Pictures! Get Your Cat Pictures Here! Little Cat Laughs — and Big Ones, Too A Place for Pedigrees Help for the Homeless Where Tradition Lives On For Serious Lovers of Cats and Books Veterinary Resources Shopping for Kitty A Memorial Space

Chapter 22: Ten Common Household Dangers to Your Cat

Strings and Similar Things A Shocking Experience The Warm and Deadly Dryer Pain Medicines That Kill Attack of the Killer Plants Garage Dangers Antifreeze? Anti-Cat Four-Wheeled Menace Towering Danger Don’t Do Doggie Dips

Chapter 23: Ten Ways to Make Your Indoor Cat Happier

A Cat Can’t Have Enough Toys Scratch, Climb, Stretch . . . Ahhhhh A Constant Supply of Nibblies Hide and Go Seek Cat TV? Why Not? A Room with a View Higher and Higher, Baby A Whiff of Fresh Air Someone to Play With The You Factor

Chapter 24: Ten of the Best Things Ever Said about Cats

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