Cats For Dummies

Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Introduction
	About This Book
	Foolish Assumptions
	Icons Used in This Book
	Beyond the Book
	Where to Go from Here
Part 1 | Starting to Think Cat
	Chapter 1 | Together, Forever: A History of Cats and People
		From Humble Beginnings: How Cats Became So Popular
		Some Common Misconceptions about Cats — and the Facts
			“All cats are cold fish”
			“Cats love places, not people”
			“Cats can take care of themselves”
		Can You Have a Cat If You Have Allergies?
		The Indoor versus Outdoor Controversy
	Chapter 2 | Kitten or Adult? Boy or Girl? One Cat or More?
		Kitten or Cat: Which Is a Better Choice for You?
			Everyone loves kittens!
			Adult cat considerations
		She-Kitty, He-Kitty: Which One’s Better?
		Let the Fur Fly
		Should You Consider a Pedigreed Cat?
		Characteristics by Breed
			The go-go group
			A touch of the wild
			Longhaired beauties
			The big cats
			Something different
			The unCATegorizables
		The Not-So-Ordinary Everyday Cat
	Chapter 3 | Mixes, Markings, and Pedigrees
		What You Need to Know about Shelters
			Animal-control shelters
			Private nonprofit shelters
		Volunteer Rescue-and-Placement Groups
		Breeders: The Reputable, the Ill-Informed, and the Avoid-at-All-Costs
			Finding the elusive “good breeder”
			Shopping at the cat show
			Online shopping
			Spotting the less-than-ideal breeders
		Pet Stores: What about Those Kittens in the Window?
		Your Neighbor’s (Or Coworker’s) Kittens
	Chapter 4 | The Wild Ones: Special Cats, Special Considerations
		Help for the Wild Ones
			Finding the solution that isn’t
			Offering a new way of thinking: Trap, Neuter, Release
			But aren’t these cats pests?
		Getting Your Feet Wet: How to Help
			First, do no harm
			Helping the helpers
			Feeding community cats: Help or harm?
		Learning to Care for Community Cats
			Setting up a routine
			Lining up help
			Trapping cats
			Spaying and neutering cats
			Releasing cats
			Housing considerations
Part 2 | Getting Off to a Good Start
	Chapter 5 | Choosing a Healthy, Happy Kitten or Cat
		Evaluating the Environment
			Getting a read on a kitty’s history
			Making special considerations
		Choosing a Kitten
			Adopting at the ideal age
			Looking at a litter
			Personality testing your kitten
		Considering the Second-Chance Kitty
		Recognizing Good Health in Kittens and Cats
			The outer cat
			The inner cat
		Taking a Leap of Faith with Your Eyes Open!
	Chapter 6 | One Is Never Enough: The Multicat Household
		You’re in Good Company
			Another cat — for your cat
			Another cat — for you
		Adding to the Family
			Understanding territoriality
			Choosing compatible cats
		Caring for More than One Cat
			Litter box strategies
			Cat trees, cubbies, and hiding places
			Feeding time at the cat ranch
		Multicat Medical Concerns
			Parasite problems
			Infectious viral diseases
	Chapter 7 | Setting Your Cat up for Success
		Pre-Cat Preparations
			Eliminating household hazards
			Organizing a “safe room”
		Bringing Your New Pet Home
		Hello, Kitty!
			Children
			Other cats
			Dogs
			Other pets
	Chapter 8 | Think Like a Cat to Understand a Cat
		Making Sense of Cat Senses
			Smell
			Hearing
			Vision
			Taste
			Touch
		Speaking “Cat”
			Eyes
			Ears
			Tail
			Voice
			Hair and whiskers
			Posture
	Chapter 9 | Feline Friendly: From Cat Toys to Catios
		A New Era for Indoor Kitties
		A Cat Can’t Have Enough Toys
			Why toys are even more important to an indoor cat
			With so many choices, go as crazy as you like
		Feline Furnishings Cats Adore
			Why every cat needs a place to scratch
			Perches, catwalks, and shelves
			Turn on the fun
		A Constant Supply of Nibblies
			Finding food is fun
			Going green
		A Whiff of Fresh Air
			Leashes, strollers, and backpacks
			The very best in cat remodels: The catio!
		Some Final Thoughts on Environmental Enrichment
			Someone to play with
			The you factor
Part 3 | Enjoying Life Together
	Chapter 10 | Solving Behavior Problems
		Understanding “Bad” Behavior
		Looking at the Root of Unwanted Behavior
		Strategies for Changing Behavior
			Yes, kitty!
			No, kitty!
			Calm kitty
			Fairness
		Attacking Behavior Problems
			Aggression
			Counter-cruising
			Clawing
			Should you consider declawing?
			Noisiness
	Chapter 11 | Getting Good Litter Box Behavior
		Defining the Problem
			What’s being done, and where?
			Which cat is the culprit?
		Is Your Cat Sick?
		Use the Box, Kitty!
			Cleanliness is next to catliness
			Offering alternatives
			Discouraging misbehavior
		Stopping Sprayers in Their Tracks
			Retraining through isolation
	Chapter 12 | Out and About with Your Cat
		Is Your Cat Up to Travel?
			Health considerations
			Temperament considerations
		Leaving Your Pet Behind
			Prepare for emergencies
			Pet-sitters
			Boarding facilities
		Taking Your Pet with You
			Air travel
			Car travel
		Moving Your Cat to a New Home
			Using a safe room for moving
			Anticipating problems
			Allowing time for readjustment
	Chapter 13 | Littering: Should Your Cat Become a Parent?
		The Case Against Breeding
		Spaying and Neutering: What’s Involved?
		The Birds and the Bees, Kitty-Style
			Choosing a mate
			The “oops” pairing
		Caring for a Pregnant Cat
		Happy Birthday, Babies
			Special delivery!
			After the birth
		Kitten Development
			Birth to two weeks
			Two weeks to eight weeks
			Eight weeks to fourteen weeks
			The adolescent kitten
		Saying Good-Bye to the Babies
	Chapter 14 | Home Care: Good Grooming and More
		Fur, the Purrfect Complement
		Why Cats Groom
		What’s in It for You?
		Tools of the Trade
			Coat-care tools
			Nail-trim aids
		The Importance of Patience
		Keeping Kitty Coats in Shape
			Combing and brushing
			Cat + water + soap = Oh, my!
			Keeping parasites under control
		Clipping Your Cat’s Claws
		Dental Care
	Chapter 15 | Feeding Your Cat
		Convenience . . . at a Price?
		Maintaining the “Perfect” Cat Diet
		Fulfilling Basic Nutritional Needs
			Protein
			Carbohydrates
			Fats
			Vitamins
			Minerals
			Water
		Choosing Foods
			What type?
			When to feed?
			What about veterinarian-prescribed foods?
			Treat your cat!
		Curbing Eating Problems
			The too-much cat
			The finicky kitty
Part 4 | The Basics of Good Health
	Chapter 16 | Preventive Healthcare for Your Cat
		Recognizing Signs of Good Health and Bad
			The physical cat
			Vital signs
			The emotional cat
		Choosing a Veterinarian
		Understanding Your Veterinarian’s Role in Preventing Illness
			The not-so-routine exam
			Vaccinations
			Parasite control
		Recognizing Emergencies
	Chapter 17 | Common Cat Health Problems
		A Cooperative Approach to Cat Health
		When Does My Cat Need a Specialist?
		Some Common Health Problems
			Abscesses
			Upper respiratory infection
			Difficulty breathing
			Three nasty viruses
			Urinary tract disease
			Kidney diseases
			Diabetes mellitus
			Heart disease
			Tumors
		Giving Your Cat Medication
			Pilling your pet
			Liquid medication
			Ear medication
			Eye medication
	Chapter 18 | Caring for an Older Cat
		How Old Is “Old”?
		Normal Signs of Aging
			Decline of the senses
			Changes in appearance
			Behavior changes
		Special Care for Kitty Teeth
		Common Problems
			Hyperthyroidism
			Constipation/Obstipation
			Osteoarthritis
			Home hospice care
		Knowing When It’s “Time”
			Euthanasia options
			Dealing with loss
Part 5 | 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 Cool Cat-Related Places To Visit
		Hemingway House
		The American Museum of the House Cat
		Citywide Cat Celebration
		Purrfectly Pedigreed
		When in Rome, Help the Cats
		The Ultimate Destination for Cat Cafes
		Hello Kitty!
		Snuggle with a Library Cat (While You Still Can)
		No, They Don’t Throw Real Cats Anymore
		Safe Home for Big Cats
	Chapter 21 | Ten Common Household Dangers to Your Cat
		Strings and Similar Things
		A Shocking Experience
		The Warm and Deadly Dryer
		Pain Medicines That Kill
		Toxic Plants
		Garage Dangers
		Four-Wheeled Menace
		Towering Danger
		Parasite Products for Dogs
	Chapter 22 | Ten Ways to Help Your Cat in a Disaster
		Have a Plan
		Have a Grab-and-Go Disaster Kit
		Get Your Cat ID — and Keep It Current
		Keep Preventive Care Measures and Health Records Current
		Have Restraints Ready
		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
		Corral Your Cat
		Be Prepared to Help Others
	Chapter 23 | Ten Nonprofits Worthy of Your Donations
		Winn Feline Foundation
		Alley Cat Allies
		The Jackson Galaxy Project
		Morris Animal Foundation
		Shelter Medicine Programs
		Help with Spay-Neuter
		Cat Sanctuaries
		Big-Box Advocacy
		Veterinary Schools and Colleges
		Local Shelters and Rescue Groups
Index