77 Things to Know Before Getting a Cat. Susan Ewing M.

       77 Things to Know Before Getting a Cat

      CompanionHouse Books™ is an imprint of Fox Chapel Publishers International Ltd.

      Project Team

      Vice President–Content: Christopher Reggio

      Editor: Amy Deputato

      Copy Editor: Laura Taylor

      Design: Llara Pazdan

      Index: Elizabeth Walker

      Copyright © 2018 by Fox Chapel Publishers International Ltd.

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Fox Chapel Publishers, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review.

      ISBN 978-1-62008-291-1

      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

      Names: Ewing, Susan M., author.

      Title: 77 things to know before getting a cat : the essential guide to preparing your family and home for a feline companion / by Susan Ewing.

      Other titles: Seventy seven things to know before getting a cat

      Description: Mount Joy, PA : CompanionHouse Books, an imprint of Fox Chapel Publishers International Ltd, [2018] | Includes index.

      Identifiers: LCCN 2018032320 (print) | LCCN 2018034689 (ebook) | ISBN 9781620082928 (ebook) | ISBN 9781620082911 (softcover)

      Subjects: LCSH: Cats. | Cat adoption.

      Classification: LCC SF447 (ebook) | LCC SF447 .E95 2018 (print) | DDC 636.8/0887--dc23

      LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018032320

      This book has been published with the intent to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter within. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the author and publisher expressly disclaim any responsibility for any errors, omissions, or adverse effects arising from the use or application of the information contained herein. The techniques and suggestions are used at the reader’s discretion and are not to be considered a substitute for veterinary care. If you suspect a medical problem, consult your veterinarian.

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      Contents

       Introduction

       Part I: Finding Your Feline Friend

       Part II: When Kitty Comes Home

       Part III: About Cat Behavior

       Part IV: The Litter Box

       Part V: Feeding Your Cat

       Part VI: Grooming Your Cat

       Part VII: ABCs of Healthcare

       Part VIII: Your Cat and Your Heath

       Part IX: Things to Do with Your Cat

       Part X: Cat-Care Concerns

       Part XI: Just for Fun

       Part XII: Organizations for Cat People

       Index

       Acknowledgments

       Photo Credits

       About the Author

      Introduction

      First Things First . . .

      This is not a training manual, nor is it a book on breeding and raising kittens, and it is definitely not a veterinary handbook. It is a book with information that can make owning your first cat easier.

      Do you really need to know seventy-seven things before getting a cat? No. You definitely need to know a few things, though, and then there are some other things that will make life with your cat more enjoyable. Some of the things in this book are helpful, while others are simply interesting or just for fun.

      First-time cat owners will find essential information on a variety of topics, such as recommended vaccinations and the pros and cons of different types of food. There’s a list of poisonous plants and ideas on how to teach your cat to use a scratching post.

      Then there’s information you might want to know just because your cat fascinates you. You might want to know about the origin of cats or read about some superstitions surrounding cats. Can you own a certain cat breed without knowing that its official colors are lavender and cream? Sure! But doesn’t lavender and cream sound more elegant than light gray and pale orange?

      Maybe the title of this book should be Several Things to Know before Getting a Cat, and Several More Things That Are Just Fun to Know. You can never know enough about this fascinating species.

      A few additional notes: People tend to call dogs “he” and cats “she,” but I refer to cats as “he” unless I’m talking about a specific cat. That’s because, in general, male cats are more affectionate, and a male may make a better first cat for someone than a female would. I refer to all breeders as “she” because women seem to be in the majority in that field. The same goes for veterinarians. Women may not be in the majority in the field of veterinary medicine, but I’ve known some terrific women veterinarians, so I’ve chosen to refer to veterinarians