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<p><b>Introduction</b><b> 1</b></p> <p>About This Book 2</p> <p>Foolish Assumptions 2</p> <p>Icons Used in This Book 2</p> <p>Beyond the Book 3</p> <p>Where to Go from Here 3</p> <p><b>Part 1: Starting to Think Cat 5</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 1: Together, Forever: A History of Cats and People</b><b> 7</b></p> <p>From Humble Beginnings: How Cats Became So Popular 8</p> <p>Some Common Misconceptions about Cats — and the Facts 11</p> <p>“All cats are cold fish” 11</p> <p>“Cats love places, not people” 12</p> <p>“Cats can take care of themselves” 13</p> <p>Can You Have a Cat If You Have Allergies? 14</p> <p>The Indoor versus Outdoor Controversy 15</p> <p><b>Chapter 2: Kitten or Adult? Boy or Girl? One Cat or More? </b><b>19</b></p> <p>Kitten or Cat: Which Is a Better Choice for You? 20</p> <p>Everyone loves kittens! 20</p> <p>Adult cat considerations 21</p> <p>She-Kitty, He-Kitty: Which One’s Better? 23</p> <p>Let the Fur Fly 24</p> <p>Should You Consider a Pedigreed Cat? 26</p> <p>Characteristics by Breed 28</p> <p>The go-go group 30</p> <p>A touch of the wild 31</p> <p>Longhaired beauties 33</p> <p>The big cats 34</p> <p>Something different 35</p> <p>The unCATegorizables 36</p> <p>The Not-So-Ordinary Everyday Cat 37</p> <p><b>Chapter 3: Mixes, Markings, and Pedigrees</b><b> 39</b></p> <p>What You Need to Know about Shelters 41</p> <p>Animal-control shelters 43</p> <p>Private nonprofit shelters 43</p> <p>Volunteer Rescue-and-Placement Groups 45</p> <p>Breeders: The Reputable, the Ill-Informed, and the Avoid-at-All-Costs 46</p> <p>Finding the elusive “good breeder” 46</p> <p>Shopping at the cat show 47</p> <p>Online shopping 48</p> <p>Spotting the less-than-ideal breeders 49</p> <p>Pet Stores: What about Those Kittens in the Window? 51</p> <p>Your Neighbor’s (Or Coworker’s) Kittens 52</p> <p><b>Chapter 4: The Wild Ones: Special Cats, Special Considerations</b><b> 53</b></p> <p>Help for the Wild Ones 54</p> <p>Finding the solution that isn’t 55</p> <p>Offering a new way of thinking: Trap, Neuter, Release 55</p> <p>But aren’t these cats pests? 56</p> <p>Getting Your Feet Wet: How to Help 58</p> <p>First, do no harm 58</p> <p>Helping the helpers 59</p> <p>Feeding community cats: Help or harm? 60</p> <p>Learning to Care for Community Cats 60</p> <p>Setting up a routine 60</p> <p>Lining up help 61</p> <p>Trapping cats 63</p> <p>Spaying and neutering cats 64</p> <p>Releasing cats 64</p> <p>Housing considerations 65</p> <p><b>Part 2: Getting Off to a Good Start 69</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 5: Choosing a Healthy, Happy Kitten or Cat</b><b> 71</b></p> <p>Evaluating the Environment 72</p> <p>Getting a read on a kitty’s history 73</p> <p>Making special considerations 74</p> <p>Choosing a Kitten 75</p> <p>Adopting at the ideal age 75</p> <p>Looking at a litter 76</p> <p>Personality testing your kitten 77</p> <p>Considering the Second-Chance Kitty 80</p> <p>Recognizing Good Health in Kittens and Cats 82</p> <p>The outer cat 82</p> <p>The inner cat 84</p> <p>Taking a Leap of Faith with Your Eyes Open! 85</p> <p><b>Chapter 6: One Is Never Enough: The Multicat Household</b><b> 87</b></p> <p>You’re in Good Company 88</p> <p>Another cat — for your cat 88</p> <p>Another cat — for you 90</p> <p>Adding to the Family 91</p> <p>Understanding territoriality 92</p> <p>Choosing compatible cats 92</p> <p>Caring for More than One Cat 94</p> <p>Litter box strategies 94</p> <p>Cat trees, cubbies, and hiding places 95</p> <p>Feeding time at the cat ranch 96</p> <p>Multicat Medical Concerns 98</p> <p>Parasite problems 98</p> <p>Infectious viral diseases 99</p> <p><b>Chapter 7: Setting Your Cat up for Success</b><b> 101</b></p> <p>Pre-Cat Preparations 102</p> <p>Eliminating household hazards 102</p> <p>Organizing a “safe room” 107</p> <p>Bringing Your New Pet Home 110</p> <p>Hello, Kitty! 112</p> <p>Children 112</p> <p>Other cats 114</p> <p>Dogs 117</p> <p>Other pets 119</p> <p><b>Chapter 8: Think Like a Cat to Understand a Cat</b><b> 121</b></p> <p>Making Sense of Cat Senses 122</p> <p>Smell 122</p> <p>Hearing 124</p> <p>Vision 124</p> <p>Taste 125</p> <p>Touch 125</p> <p>Speaking “Cat” 126</p> <p>Eyes 126</p> <p>Ears 126</p> <p>Tail 127</p> <p>Voice 127</p> <p>Hair and whiskers 128</p> <p>Posture 129</p> <p><b>Chapter 9: Feline Friendly: From Cat Toys to Catios </b><b>133</b></p> <p>A New Era for Indoor Kitties 134</p> <p>A Cat Can’t Have Enough Toys 135</p> <p>Why toys are even more important to an indoor cat 135</p> <p>With so many choices, go as crazy as you like 135</p> <p>Feline Furnishings Cats Adore 137</p> <p>Why every cat needs a place to scratch 137</p> <p>Perches, catwalks, and shelves 138</p> <p>Turn on the fun 139</p> <p>A Constant Supply of Nibblies 140</p> <p>Finding food is fun 140</p> <p>Going green 140</p> <p>A Whiff of Fresh Air 141</p> <p>Leashes, strollers, and backpacks 142</p> <p>The very best in cat remodels: The catio! 142</p> <p>Some Final Thoughts on Environmental Enrichment 145</p> <p>Someone to play with 145</p> <p>The you factor 146</p> <p><b>Part 3: Enjoying Life Together 147</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 10: Solving Behavior Problems</b><b> 149</b></p> <p>Understanding “Bad” Behavior 151</p> <p>Looking at the Root of Unwanted Behavior 152</p> <p>Strategies for Changing Behavior 153</p> <p>Yes, kitty! 154</p> <p>No, kitty! 154</p> <p>Calm kitty 155</p> <p>Fairness 155</p> <p>Attacking Behavior Problems 156</p> <p>Aggression 156</p> <p>Counter-cruising 159</p> <p>Clawing 159</p> <p>Should you consider declawing? 163</p> <p>Noisiness 164</p> <p><b>Chapter 11: Getting Good Litter Box Behavior</b><b> 167</b></p> <p>Defining the Problem 168</p> <p>What’s being done, and where? 169</p> <p>Which cat is the culprit? 171</p> <p>Is Your Cat Sick? 171</p> <p>Use the Box, Kitty! 174</p> <p>Cleanliness is next to catliness 175</p> <p>Offering alternatives 176</p> <p>Discouraging misbehavior 178</p> <p>Stopping Sprayers in Their Tracks 179</p> <p>Retraining through isolation 180</p> <p><b>Chapter 12: Out and About with Your Cat</b><b> 183</b></p> <p>Is Your Cat Up to Travel? 184</p> <p>Health considerations 186</p> <p>Temperament considerations 186</p> <p>Leaving Your Pet Behind 186</p> <p>Prepare for emergencies 187</p> <p>Pet-sitters 188</p> <p>Boarding facilities 189</p> <p>Taking Your Pet with You 190</p> <p>Air travel 192</p> <p>Car travel 195</p> <p>Moving Your Cat to a New Home 195</p> <p>Using a safe room for moving 196</p> <p>Anticipating problems 197</p> <p>Allowing time for readjustment 198</p> <p><b>Chapter 13: Littering: Should Your Cat Become a Parent?</b><b> 201</b></p> <p>The Case Against Breeding 202</p> <p>Spaying and Neutering: What’s Involved? 203</p> <p>The Birds and the Bees, Kitty-Style 205</p> <p>Choosing a mate 206</p> <p>The “oops” pairing 207</p> <p>Caring for a Pregnant Cat 207</p> <p>Happy Birthday, Babies 209</p> <p>Special delivery! 210</p> <p>After the birth 211</p> <p>Kitten Development 212</p> <p>Birth to two weeks 212</p> <p>Two weeks to eight weeks 213</p> <p>Eight weeks to fourteen weeks 214</p> <p>The adolescent kitten 215</p> <p>Saying Good-Bye to the Babies 215</p> <p><b>Chapter 14: Home Care: Good Grooming and More</b><b> 219</b></p> <p>Fur, the Purrfect Complement 220</p> <p>Why Cats Groom 220</p> <p>What’s in It for You? 222</p> <p>Tools of the Trade 223</p> <p>Coat-care tools 224</p> <p>Nail-trim aids 225</p> <p>The Importance of Patience 226</p> <p>Keeping Kitty Coats in Shape 227</p> <p>Combing and brushing 228</p> <p>Cat + water + soap = Oh, my! 229</p> <p>Keeping parasites under control 230</p> <p>Clipping Your Cat’s Claws 236</p> <p>Dental Care 238</p> <p><b>Chapter 15: Feeding Your Cat</b><b> 241</b></p> <p>Convenience at a Price? 242</p> <p>Maintaining the “Perfect” Cat Diet 243</p> <p>Fulfilling Basic Nutritional Needs 244</p> <p>Protein 244</p> <p>Carbohydrates 245</p> <p>Fats 245</p> <p>Vitamins 246</p> <p>Minerals 246</p> <p>Water 247</p> <p>Choosing Foods 248</p> <p>What type? 250</p> <p>When to feed? 251</p> <p>What about veterinarian-prescribed foods? 251</p> <p>Treat your cat! 253</p> <p>Curbing Eating Problems 254</p> <p>The too-much cat 255</p> <p>The finicky kitty 256</p> <p><b>Part 4: The Basics of Good Health 259</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 16: Preventive Healthcare for Your Cat</b><b> 261</b></p> <p>Recognizing Signs of Good Health and Bad 262</p> <p>The physical cat 263</p> <p>Vital signs 265</p> <p>The emotional cat 267</p> <p>Choosing a Veterinarian 269</p> <p>Understanding Your Veterinarian’s Role in Preventing Illness 271</p> <p>The not-so-routine exam 271</p> <p>Vaccinations 272</p> <p>Parasite control 274</p> <p>Recognizing Emergencies 276</p> <p><b>Chapter 17: Common Cat Health Problems</b><b> 279</b></p> <p>A Cooperative Approach to Cat Health 280</p> <p>When Does My Cat Need a Specialist? 281</p> <p>Some Common Health Problems 283</p> <p>Abscesses 284</p> <p>Upper respiratory infection 285</p> <p>Difficulty breathing 286</p> <p>Three nasty viruses 287</p> <p>Urinary tract disease 290</p> <p>Kidney diseases 291</p> <p>Diabetes mellitus 293</p> <p>Heart disease 294</p> <p>Tumors 296</p> <p>Giving Your Cat Medication 298</p> <p>Pilling your pet 298</p> <p>Liquid medication 299</p> <p>Ear medication 299</p> <p>Eye medication 300</p> <p><b>Chapter 18: Caring for an Older Cat</b><b> 303</b></p> <p>How Old Is “Old”? 304</p> <p>Normal Signs of Aging 306</p> <p>Decline of the senses 306</p> <p>Changes in appearance 307</p> <p>Behavior changes 307</p> <p>Special Care for Kitty Teeth 309</p> <p>Common Problems 310</p> <p>Hyperthyroidism 310</p> <p>Constipation/Obstipation 313</p> <p>Osteoarthritis 313</p> <p>Home hospice care 314</p> <p>Knowing When It’s “Time” 314</p> <p>Euthanasia options 315</p> <p>Dealing with loss 316</p> <p><b>Part 5: The Part of Tens 319</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 19: Ten Cat Myths Debunked</b><b> 321</b></p> <p>Cats Have Nine Lives 321</p> <p>Cats Need to Drink Milk 322</p> <p>Cats Purr Whenever They’re Happy 323</p> <p>Cats Eat Plants If They’re Sick 324</p> <p>Cats Are Dangerous around Babies 325</p> <p>Cats Can Be Kept from Using Their Claws 327</p> <p>A Well-Fed Cat Doesn’t Hunt 327</p> <p>Cat Fur Causes Allergies 328</p> <p>Black Cats Are Bad Luck 329</p> <p>All Calicoes Are Female 330</p> <p><b>Chapter 20: Ten Cool Cat-Related Places To Visit </b><b>331</b></p> <p>Hemingway House 333</p> <p>The American Museum of the House Cat 333</p> <p>Citywide Cat Celebration 334</p> <p>Purrfectly Pedigreed 334</p> <p>When in Rome, Help the Cats 335</p> <p>The Ultimate Destination for Cat Cafes 335</p> <p>Hello Kitty! 336</p> <p>Snuggle with a Library Cat (While You Still Can) 336</p> <p>No, They Don’t Throw Real Cats Anymore 337</p> <p>Safe Home for Big Cats 337</p> <p><b>Chapter 21: Ten Common Household Dangers to Your Cat</b><b> 339</b></p> <p>Strings and Similar Things 340</p> <p>A Shocking Experience 341</p> <p>The Warm and Deadly Dryer 341</p> <p>Pain Medicines That Kill 342</p> <p>Toxic Plants 343</p> <p>Garage Dangers 344</p> <p>Four-Wheeled Menace 345</p> <p>Towering Danger 345</p> <p>Parasite Products for Dogs 346</p> <p><b>Chapter 22: Ten Ways to Help Your Cat in a Disaster</b><b> 347</b></p> <p>Have a Plan 348</p> <p>Have a Grab-and-Go Disaster Kit 348</p> <p>Get Your Cat ID — and Keep It Current 348</p> <p>Keep Preventive Care Measures and Health Records Current 349</p> <p>Have Restraints Ready 350</p> <p>Keep First-Aid Supplies on Hand — with Directions 350</p> <p>Know the Locations of Nearby Veterinary Hospitals and Other Animal Services 351</p> <p>Keep a “Lost Kitty” Kit Ready 351</p> <p>Corral Your Cat 352</p> <p>Be Prepared to Help Others 352</p> <p><b>Chapter 23: Ten Nonprofits Worthy of Your Donations</b><b> 353</b></p> <p>Winn Feline Foundation 354</p> <p>Alley Cat Allies 354</p> <p>The Jackson Galaxy Project 355</p> <p>Morris Animal Foundation 355</p> <p>Shelter Medicine Programs 356</p> <p>Help with Spay-Neuter 356</p> <p>Cat Sanctuaries 357</p> <p>Big-Box Advocacy 357</p> <p>Veterinary Schools and Colleges 357</p> <p>Local Shelters and Rescue Groups 358</p> <p>Index 359</p>

<p><b>Gina Spadafori</b> is the bestselling author of <i>Dogs For Dummies,</i> which received the President's Award from the Dog Writers Association of America. <b>Dr. Lauren Demos</b> is a board certified feline specialist who in 2017 was elected the youngest president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners. <b> Dr. Paul D. Pion</b> is a board certified veterinary cardiologist as well as cofounder, president, and CEO of the Veterinary Information Network, Inc.

<ul> <li>Provide proper health care and nutrition</li> <li>Train your cat and learn how to read feline body language</li> <li>Solve litter box and behavior problems</li> </ul> <p><b>Discover how a cat helps make a house a home!</b> <p>Adding a cat (or two!) to your household is a purrfectly great idea, and this guide provides all the information you need to keep your new family member happy, healthy, and safe. First off, you'll discover lots of information you may not have known about cats, how to choose the right one for you, and how to prepare your house for the newcomer. Learn to think like a cat, anticipate and resolve behavior problems, select the right vet, recognize common health issues, and even how to care for an aging cat. You'll love keeping your cat safe and happy. <p><b>Inside...</b> <ul> <li>Why cats are so popular</li> <li>To buy or adopt?</li> <li>Kitten or adult cat?</li> <li>Helping your cat feel at home</li> <li>Deciphering cat body language</li> <li>Solving behavior problems</li> <li>Details about diet</li> <li>Common cat myths debunked</li> </ul>

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