Cat can be so simple E-Book

Hanna Bauer

• Herausgeber: tredition
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Seitenzahl: 183

Beschreibung

Get to know your cat better and discover its unique personality with Cat can be so simple. In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn everything you need to know to best keep, care for, and raise your cat. Whether you're already a proud cat owner or you're still at the beginning of your journey with a cat, this book offers valuable information and tips for everyone. You'll learn how to feed your cat properly, what care it needs, and how best to raise it. But that's not all - Cat can be so simple also gives insight into the most common diseases in cats and how to prevent them. In addition, you will find useful help with behavioral problems such as scratching on furniture, uncleanliness or aggression. The presentation of the most popular cat breeds rounds off the book and gives you a comprehensive overview of the different personalities and needs of cats. Whether you choose a playful Maine Coon or an elegant Persian cat, you'll be well prepared with this book. Get ready for a fascinating journey into the world of cats with Cat can be so simple. An indispensable guide for all cat lovers that will help you build a happy and healthy relationship with your velvet paw.

Leseprobe

CAT CAN BE SO SIMPLE

THE CAT BOOK ALL ABOUT THE CAT

HANNA BAUER

Table of contents

Cover

Title Page

I Basic Knowledge

1) Where does the cat come from?

2) Coexistence between humans and cats

3) Mating and reproduction

4) The cat - male and female

5) The best domestic cats

6) The most popular cat breeds

7) The strangest and most unique cat breeds

8) The different personalities

9) Cats as symbols all over the world

II the Right Cat Care

1) The right diet

2) Toys and activities

3) The most common diseases

4) Prevent diseases

5) When should you go to the vet?

III the Cat Moves in Soon

1) Which cat suits you?

2) Check health and vaccinations

3) Before you get a cat

4) Prepare the new home

5) Other animals in the household?

6) Socialisation & Behaviour

7) Checklist for buying a cat

8) What does your new cat need at the beginning?

IV Cat Training

1) How do you train a cat?

2) The most common training mistakes

3) Clicker training

4) Housebreaking the cat

5) Domestic cat to outdoor cat

6) Outdoor cat to domestic cat

7) Do not scratch the furniture

8) Get off the table!

9) Some furniture is taboo

10) Not begging

11) Miaun on the doorstep

12) No success despite all efforts?

V Behavioural Disorders

1) She avoids the litter box

2) Aggression

3) Excessive fear and shyness

4) Excessive meowing

5) Excessive cleaning

Copyright

Cat can be so simple

Cover

Title Page

Foreword

I Basic Knowledge

V Behavioural Disorders

Copyright

Cat can be so simple

Cover

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

52

53

54

55

56

57

58

59

60

61

62

63

64

65

66

67

68

69

70

71

72

73

74

75

76

77

78

79

80

81

82

83

84

85

86

87

88

89

90

91

92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

100

101

102

103

104

105

106

107

108

109

110

111

112

113

114

115

116

117

118

119

120

121

122

123

124

125

126

127

128

129

130

131

132

133

134

135

136

137

138

139

140

141

142

143

144

145

146

147

148

149

150

151

152

153

154

155

156

157

158

159

160

161

162

163

164

165

166

167

168

169

170

171

172

FOREWORD

We never seem to learn enough about caring for our pets, because we want to make sure we know everything about them and do our best to keep them happy and healthy. We talk to our friends, vets and pet shop advisors all the time, but it's usually for a short time and we don't have all the information together. In this book we will cover all the important topics of cat care in detail, from general information about cats to cat care, nutrition, training and behaviour. We will also discuss how to prepare to bring a new cat home and have a smooth start to your time together.

I am Hanna Bauer, owner of two cats and have had two others in the past which has taught me a lot about their needs, care and behaviour. I also gained a lot of experience working in a pet shop a few years ago and volunteering for an animal welfare society in my town. My two cats are Sheitan (8 years old) and Hades (1.5 years old), two rescued black male cats that I raised. They have very distinct personalities but are both very loving and affectionate, even though Sheitan feigns indifference most of the time. Raising them properly was a matter of trial and error, and I'm still ironing out minor mistakes I made, especially in raising them both. I am confident that my experiences will benefit all cat owners and I invite you to find out what makes cats tick, where they come from, how they live and how we can make the most of living with them.

IBASIC KNOWLEDGE

1) Where does the cat come from?

Cats have been around almost as long as humans. Don't just think about your little pussycat at home. Lions, tigers, panthers and leopards are also cats. But let's talk about domestic cats instead. They've been roaming around knocking over objects for thousands of years and are living proof that the earth is not flat. And why is that? If it were flat, cats would have knocked everything over long ago. Cats have lived among us for more than 10,000 years, but where did they actually come from? Evidence suggests that cats were domesticated about 12 000 years ago: More than 8,000-year-old cat remains have been discovered on Cyprus, buried individually or together with humans, and all the evidence suggests that cats were not native to the island. I'm sure we're talking about domesticated (or at least somehow tamed) cats, because nobody would have liked to have a wild and aggressive cat on board a ship for weeks or months. Cats seem to have appeared all over the world at different times, perhaps due to sea voyages across the oceans or because they evolved from different wild species. In Africa and Asia, cats seem to have appeared near humans about 4000 to 5000 years ago. Humans began to domesticate the African wild cat and the Asian leopard cat, mainly for rat control. Chinese culture particularly revered them as a symbol of good luck and therefore created unique cat sculptures and images. Even today, one of the most well-known Feng Shui symbols for luck and wealth is the Maneki Neko cat. We will talk about this in more detail later. I don't know exactly when the cats reached Europe, but it was quite easy to get from Asia to Europe.

Even from Africa, so they found their way at some point. Eventually, the cats reached North and South America together with the European settlers. There they developed the same partnership as the ancient peoples when they started to farm, and so the whole story repeated itself.

I can say that cats had a common origin and found their way around the world together with their human partners. I just wonder why my cats don't even like to leave the house these days.

Cats in history

The ancient Egyptians are the most famous people who worshipped cats as gods. They had cat cemeteries where the little four-legged creatures were mummified and buried with full honours. They even went so far as to murder anyone who disrespected or killed a cat. The ancient Romans and the people of the Far East also had great respect for cats. People in medieval Europe, on the other hand, associated cats with demons and were afraid of them.

Nowadays, cats are mostly kept as companions, but some still see their use in granaries. They are also the superstars of many movies, comics and TV shows, especially since some of them are very intelligent and can learn a lot of tricks.

2) Coexistence between humans and cats

Since dogs were so efficient as hunting companions, it is obvious that they were domesticated first. Thousands of years ago, when the first peoples settled down and began to develop agriculture, cats proved very efficient at keeping rat populations under control, including the diseases they spread. They were also excellent at driving rats and mice out of granaries. More than helpful was that cats were excited by all the readily available food attracted to stored grain, so food supplies were much less at risk with cats around. No wonder my grandparents also liked having their cats around, but didn't feed them that often. A well-fed cat doesn't have the same hunting instinct and can get lazy with all the comfortable lifestyle.

Basically, the cats invited themselves to a feast and then most of them stayed. And that's further proof that all owners know that no one really owns a cat. I've always known that they choose their homes and their people, not the other way around. I'm sure Hades did. How many cats actually come to you when you call them on the street, do you think? Over time, the relationship became more complicated. In the Middle Ages, people considered cats to be devilish creatures or companions of witches, so their lives became much more difficult in Europe. When people started hunting them, the cat population decreased significantly.

Funnily enough, this coincided with the spread of diseases, especially the Black Plague, which was transmitted by fleas in the fur of rats. As there were not enough cats to keep the rat populations under control, they began to roam freely. It was only between the 16th and 17th centuries that the reputation of cats improved and they were once again seen as loving companions. Wealthy people began to keep exotic specimens such as Persian or Angora cats. One of them was Queen Mary Antoinette, who loved her white Turkish Angoras. They were allowed everywhere in her chambers, even on the tables.

During the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette's cats were sent on a ship to flee France to escape the angry crowds. However, she did not manage to escape and was eventually beheaded. The ship set sail without her and took the cats to Maine, USA. There they mingled with the native cats and another famous breed, the Maine Coon, was born. Over time, people noticed that some cats were more docile than others and began breeding these specimens to create the many breeds we know today.

3) Mating and reproduction

The females are polyoestrus, which means they have several oestrus cycles a year, lasting about 21 days. Their usual mating season is from early February to August.

They reach sexual maturity between 5 and 10 months, males between 5 and 7 months. There are slight differences depending on the breed, but this is the average. The vet can give you accurate information about your cat depending on the breed and individual development. Remember that all creatures are different, just like us humans. During heat, more than one male is attracted to the female. The males fight for their right to mate with her, and the stronger of them gets the nod for his mate. Although I have often seen the females reject the males at first, they eventually allow them to mate.

Immediately after mating, the female starts cleaning her vulva. During this time, she fights off any male that tries to mate with her. When she has finished cleaning, which usually takes between 20 and 30 minutes, she is ready to mate again. This is because the female may not have been impregnated by the first male. Also, cats are super-fertile, which means they usually mate with more than one male when they are in heat. Therefore, several kittens in a litter can have different fathers. I had wondered how it could be that a mackerel female and a red male have black or white kittens. This seems to be the answer!

Pregnancy usually lasts about 65 days, and the kittens are give birth to 1 to 6 kittens. As a rule, litters of 4-5 kittens are not uncommon. Female cats can have up to three litters per year, but again I have rarely seen more than 1 - 2 in a single cat. Usually the first litter is smaller than the following ones, with a female giving birth to only 1 - 2 kittens. Wait, I was just talking about litters, but what exactly is a litter? Quite simply, it is the kittens born from a cat at one time. With dogs, we call them that too. The queen weans her kittens at 6 to 7 weeks of age, which means she stops suckling them and giving them solid food. The mother starts weaning at about 4 weeks of age, and this process usually takes another 4 weeks or so until the kittens stop suckling altogether. During the last stages of pregnancy and throughout the nursing period, it is best to feed the mother special food for baby cats or pregnant cats. This will provide her and the kittens with all the nutrients they need for healthy development and nutritious milk production. This is also the food the kittens need to eat when the cat weans them. They will continue to suckle, as the change in diet should go smoothly.

Castration

Neutering involves removing the cat's sexual organs to prevent unwanted reproduction. It is a simple surgical procedure usually performed between 6 and 9 months of age, but I have also seen vets perform the procedure earlier, between 3 and 6 months of age. My vet recommended that I neuter my cats as late as possible (10 - 12 months) so that they can develop fully. However, I had to do it a little earlier because they started marking the house with scent marks. Believe me, you don't want to have to smell that scent in the house!

4) The cat - male and female

Male and female cats usually look the same, with the males usually being slightly larger than the females. The male is known as a tomcat unless he is neutered. Neutered males are also called gibs. The female cat is called a queen if she is not neutered, or a molly if she is neutered.

A fun fact about looks:

You know those beautiful calico cats (when the coat is at least three colours)? Well, it turns out that most of them are females. Male calicos are very rare. Cats are territorial animals, and I have noticed this especially in the feral cat colonies in my city. They all have fixed territories, with those of the males being larger than those of the females. The territory of a sexually active male usually overlaps with the territories of several females so that he can reproduce. In addition, I could observe that the females cooperate in raising cubs and foraging, just like female lions in the wild. You can see immediately that there is one dominant female who dominates the others. Speaking of aggressiveness, males are usually more aggressive than females, especially males. I have never once seen two males fighting over the mating of a female. Usually the heavier of the two wins. Females with kittens also fight to protect their young and ensure their survival. Most cats in a house fight for territory, especially because houses are much smaller than outdoor areas. I see this at home almost every day. Fighting over who gets to stay in bed, who gets our attention, who gets to use toy X, etc. Neutered cats fight less often because they are less aggressive, but they still do it from time to time. However, not as roughly as unneutered cats.

5) The best domestic cats

Cats adapt quickly to life in the house with all its facilities: Food, water, loving owners, toys, boxes and so on.

However, some breeds are more energetic and have a high prey drive, so they are best suited to outdoor life, while others are calm and not so active, which makes them excellent indoor cats suitable for beginners. My pet shop customers kept telling me how their cats behaved at home, so let's take a closer look at some of these breeds:

Siam

This playful and intelligent cat will follow you around the house and loves to get as much attention as possible. She is a very vocal and talkative cat who needs lots of stimulation and play to be happy. Siamese cats need lots of attention and don't like to be alone, so make sure you get two cats or that there is always someone at home.

British Shorthair

The British Shorthair is a really sweet, gentle cat that likes to be around people but does not jump and run around the house. They are calm cats that don't need a lot of grooming, so they are good for busy owners. I know that most British Shorthair owners have no qualms about leaving their cats at home alone when they are at work, and that their cats greet them happily when they come home.

Russian Blue

Many of my clients who have Russian Blue have told me how much they love that this breed is very affectionate and intelligent. Their cats follow them everywhere in the house and are curious about everything. Although they are not the most active, they like to climb and jump on high surfaces.

Devon Rex

Devon Rex cats love to play and jump around all day. They are overly intelligent and affectionate cats that seek human contact and need lots of stimulation, mentally and physically. They are also very child-friendly - what more could you want in a cat?

Burmese

Burmese are famous for winning over everyone who doesn't like cats - including dog owners. They are gentle and social, follow you around the house and go along with everything you do. My clients' Burmese cats were very playful and did not cope well with being separated. Ideally, they should have at least one other pet as a companion.

6) The most popular cat breeds

There are countless breeds of cats and numerous mixed breeds. For hundreds of years, breeding has helped to develop certain physical or behavioural traits in cats, and now we have reached the point where we have to choose between the "very best" cat breeds. As all cats are so interesting and unique, I will try to list only a few of the most popular breeds I have come across:

Ragdoll

The beautiful Ragdoll cats remind me of the Siamese cat because of their similar head and leg colouring and their striking blue eyes. However, they have a much longer, silky coat. Many people have told me that they love how gentle their Ragdoll cats are with children and other pets and really appreciate their calm nature. They don't climb around the house, but are more "floor cats", usually preferring lower floors. However, you can still expect to see them on the couch for a cuddle.

Siamese cat

Everyone can recognise a Siamese cat immediately: Their slender body with short fur, strikingly coloured legs, tail, head and pointed ears make them easily recognisable. They are very affectionate, vocal and intelligent. Characteristics made famous by the Disney animated film " Lady and the Tramp".

They are exceptionally sociable cats who suffer from separation anxiety. One of my friends, who loved this breed, therefore got two of them at once so that they could always keep each other company.

Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is often called the "gentle giant" and is truly one of the most imposing cat breeds. It is one of the largest breeds, with a majestic appearance and a luxurious coat similar to that of a lion (only in different colours). Many people love them for their high intelligence and friendly nature despite their intimidating appearance. It is also funny how loud they are, always howling, chirping or yowling, and how they love to play in the water.

Bengal

A cross between a domestic cat and a wild Asian leopard, this fascinating sportsman looks like he belongs in the jungle. Despite its wild appearance, this cat is actually very friendly, talkative and intelligent. She needs a lot of exercise and stimulation. I love that the Bengal cat is a natural retriever and loves to swim and play in the water.

British Shorthair

This calm, teddy-like cat breed is very well known all over the world. Although somewhat reserved, it is a friendly cat and loves to play with its humans. The British Shorthair is moderately active, and you should know that she doesn't like to be picked up and carried around. It is the ideal breed for a busy or quiet owner who does not have much time for grooming. Fortunately, she needs very little grooming.

Persian

Who doesn't know them, the regal looking, fluffy Persian cat? Also called Shiraz (after a city in Iran), their distinguished appearance, flat face and gentle nature have made these cats very popular. This breed is probably one of the most frequently featured breeds in artwork, films and commercials. However, I find their care very difficult and time-consuming. Persians need to be brushed daily to prevent their fur from matting. The good news is that if you are looking for a cat that looks like (maybe even descends from) a Persian, the Exotic is a great alternative! It's still fluffy and has a cute, flat face, but it requires much less grooming. Brushing once a week is quite enough.

Abyssinian