The places from which you can adopt a kitten will vary based on whether it is a purebred or domestic cat.

Humane Shelters

sande2/sxc.hu

If you are looking for a domestic cat, the humane shelter is probably the best place to look. There are thousands of cats in shelters across the world. These are cats that do not have a home other than a shelter. For some shelters also known as “kill shelters”, euthanasia is used for cats that have not been adopted in an established time limit, whereas some shelters practice a no-kill policy. Either way, shelters can be the best place to look for a new cat or kitten. You can help both yourself and a kitty by adopting one from there.

Shelters usually change a fee for basic medical expenses for the kitty such as vaccinations and physical exams. Some may also require that you cover the cost for spay or neutering of your adoptee.

At the shelter, there may be a large number of domestic cats or kittens to choose from, so you would more than likely be able to find a kitty that is suitable for you and/or your family.

Rescue Organizations

There are also a number of volunteer-driven organizations being formed. These organizations may or may not have a physical shelter for housing their animals, but mainly, volunteer foster homes are the primary caregivers for the cats. These caregivers usually come together to host an “adoption day” where interested persons can be matched up to a cat. This is also a great option to look at if you have made the decision to adopt a kitty.

Registered Breeder

If you are looking for a purebred cat, a registered breeder is the best person to deal with. However, beware that there are two categories of breeders: Registered and Backyard Breeders.

A registered breeder will be registered with the cat registration body such as CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association) and TICA (The International Cat Association). These as well as other organizations will be able to supply you with a list of registered breeders, as well as information about the breed that you may be interested in. The breeders registered with these organizations would have also signed the code of ethics of the organization.

A backyard breeder is a person who breeds cats which may be both purebred and/or domestic cats. They are not registered with any cat registration body. Thus, they have not signed any code of ethics associated with breeding cats; hence they may not necessarily be following any kind of guidelines.

There may also be a breeder who was formerly a registered breeder, but has not continued their membership with a cat registration organization. They would have the information gained while being a member of a cat registration organization and have registered cats; however they cannot be termed a registered breeder or a “backyard” breeder.

Breed Rescue Groups

Breed rescue groups are another good place to look for a purebred. They are groups that rescue and return lost purebreds to their owners or find new homes for these ownerless kitties. Be aware though that the screening process is very detailed as they do not want the kitty to end up in a new home that is not able to take care of the kitty. They would not want the poor kitty to end up at the group’s center again.

“Free to a good home” Owners

There are some owners who may have a litter of kittens to give away. This is another source for finding a domestic cat, if you are looking for a domestic cat. However, it is not the ideal place from which to adopt a kitty as it may encourage these owners to not spay or neuter the parent kitty as they “always do find homes for them”. When owners are encouraged in this idea, it reduces the amount of kitties that are adopted from a shelter. It can be a heartbreaking decision between choosing a cute kitten from this litter and choosing one from a shelter.

If, however, these owners have the kitty that you want to take home, then ask the pertinent questions about your adoptee, so that you can better prepare yourself for your new family member. Questions such as whether kitty has already had his/her vaccinations, its family history, if any of the kittens in the litter displayed any illness. If possible, try to see the mother cat in its home. This will be a great indicator as to the living conditions of the kitten that you are adopting.

Online Pet Finding Websites

The Internet has also created another place to find a wonderful kitty to add as a member of your household. There are a number of websites available that can help you find a kitty that you would be most comfortable with, be it a short hair or long hair, male or female. Some websites even allows searching for a kitty by color, if this is a preference.

These websites usually allow you to find a kitty in a shelter in your area. It’s usually best to use the online resources that allow this, as it enables you to visit the shelter that has your potential adoptee to get a firsthand knowledge of the kitty’s personality to determine if this kitty best suits you and your household.

Caution!

Pet Stores – Even though kitties may be available in pet stores, this is not a source that should be encouraged, as most pet stores get their kittens from kitty mills as registered breeders are not allowed to sell their breeds to pet stores as stated in their code of practice. These are breeders who breed kittens for profit and do not care to retain particular traits of a breed, as a registered breeder would. Confirmation of a cat’s lineage is not available and these kittens are usually bred in inhumane and unhygienic conditions. Most pet stores are now refusing to sell pets and some states have already banned the sale of commercially bred pets.

Based on the type of kitty that you want, whether its domestic or purebred, your source for your companion may vary. Either way, deciding to adopt a cat is one of the best decisions that you can make and once its considered carefully, it can be a long and rewarding companionship. So here’s to you finding your purr-mate!

Once you have found your purr-mate, you will need to look at what you will need for bringing home your kitty for the first time!

So you’re thinking about adopting a cat. They are wonderful animals who, when treated right, can make excellent companions for a long time. However, before you bring home that kitty, a lot of thought should be put into that decision as to whether or not it is right for you. This article is not meant to discourage a willing cat owner; however, you will want to be sure that you can provide for kitty because when you start to love her, you don’t want to have to give her up for any reason.

The Commitment

Cats have a lifespan of 15 and more years. That is a long time to take care of an animal. You will need to determine if you can offer this kind of commitment. They are considered independent animals, but this is not really the case. Cats love attention from their human “mommy” or “daddy”. Would you have the time available to groom kitty, play with her?

Also, family members will need to be consulted. Would they be happy with a new member of the family that will require time and attention?

What about finances? Are you comfortably able to afford the medical care for kitty? Vaccinations, impromptu visits and possibly surgery can incur costs. Also, there are some necessary items that will have to be purchased such as food, litter, medication.

You would also have to consider what living arrangements would be available for your kitty if you have to go on vacation or travel? Do you have a friend or family member who would be willing to cat-sit for you while you are away? Or would you be able to cater for the cost of a boarding facility?

Cat or Kitten…You Pick

You will also need to consider: what is the best age of the cat that you will want to adopt? Cats are considered kittens up to the age of 1 year. After this, they are considered adult cats.

Kittens are adorable, playful and it’s amazing to see them learn as they grow, however, at their young age they will require a lot more care than an older cat. They will require a lot more attention when you bring them home as they will some training will be necessary and, since they are so playful, they may want you to entertain them.

If you have decided to adopt a kitten, you should try to adopt a kitten that is at least 10 weeks of age, as the first 10 weeks is the time during which your kitten will learn, from her mommy and her litter-mates, what constitutes proper behavior and social skills. For example, they will learn not to scratch or bite their litter-mates and when you adopt her, this will apply to you as well.

And you don’t have to worry, at 10 weeks+, there is still ample time to enjoy their cute and adorable kitten behavior.

However, this does not mean to say that an adult cat is not playful or cute. They can be, and this is the difference, an adult cat has an already developed personality, so you can be better able to choose what personality of cat you would prefer: A calm one? A playful one? They do not require as much training (depending on their history) as a kitten.

They can be considered the better companion if you have a toddler or baby as they already know their social skills. They can be less energetic than kittens, depending on the age of the cat and they usually maintain their playfulness as they get older.

The sad thing though, is that there is a greater chance of an adult cat being ignored for adoption from a shelter, which is unfortunate as they do make wonderful loyal companions, as much as a kitten does.

Purebred or Domestic (Mixed Breed) Cats?

Peter Munks / Foter.com / CC BY

So you have probably decided that you can provide the commitment – financially, physically and mentally. You will now need to determine if you would prefer a purebred kitty or mixed breed.

Many purebreds are bred for particular reasons, personality or physical characteristics. For instance, the Ragdoll is a cat that is bred for its sociable personality and is great with children and can be easily trained.

However, these types of cats may require more of a financial and physical commitment than a mixed breed. A Persian cat can be a considered a wonderful companion because of its quiet nature. You should note though, there may also be a cost associated with purchasing a purebred cat.

So, if you decide that you prefer a purebred, there is a lot that has to be considered, so make sure that you dedicate the time to research what type of purebred may be best suited for you. You can also take a read of the article Top Cat Breeds in the U.S. to get an idea of what cat breeds are most popular in the U.S.A.

Domestic cats are wonderful cats that will also require a financial commitment. However, this commitment may not be as high as that of a purebred. If the cat is adopted from a shelter, the shelter may require that you reimburse them for basic medical expenses such as vaccinations and medical exam. They may also require that you spay or neuter your potential adoptee. This will have a cost attached, which is generally cheaper than a veterinarian.

Shorthair or Longhair?

The choice of a shorthair or longhair (or no hair as in the case of the Sphinx) depends on your personal preference.

Both shorthair and longhair cats, in general, do shed about the same amount, however, longhair cats will require some more attention to grooming, by the owner, than a shorthair cat, as they would have a greater tendency to develop hairballs and matted hair.

Both types “blow” their coat in the beginning of the summer, so there will be more shedding occurring about this time…fistfuls of shedding.

How Much Kitties Should You Bring Home?

Hmmm…now this may be a tough question to answer. When you see the cute faces of those kitties, it may be difficult to limit it to just one! The commitments required for more than one kitty are now multiplied by the amount that you are willing to adopt. This includes finances, time and space.

If you are often away from home for a while, then more than one kitty means that they will have company during the time you may spend away from them.

However, keep in mind, also that the alternate living arrangements that will have to be made if you travel will now have to cater for more than one kitty.

This, however, will only work if the decision made had a lot of thought vested in it. One kitty will bring a lot of joy and love to your home and multiple kitties will increase it.

Spay or Neuter?

Spaying is the removing of a female cat’s ovaries, while neutering is the removal of a male cat’s testicles. These operations are routinely performed, with minimal complications and should only be performed by licensed veterinarians.

The decision to spay or neuter may or may not be up to you as some persons or shelters may have already spayed or neutered the kitty. If the choice is up to you, then you will have to consider this carefully. Not so much in terms of spaying or neutering but more in terms of NOT doing it.

A spayed or neutered kitty does not generally experience a change in personality. They will still be playful, keep their hunting nature, energy and excitement and talkative nature. Some cats may show “laziness”, but this may be because of the reduction in their sexual influences. Thus, they may not be as aggressive during the mating season as a non-spayed or non-neutered cat.

A cat that has undergone the procedure may have a tendency to gain weight, but this can be easily controlled with their diet.

A spayed female cat will not be able to produce a litter. If you prefer not to spay the kitty because you may want a litter, then there are a few things to keep in mind. If your kitty does have a litter in the future, would you be easily able to find homes for the 4 to 6 kittens? This is usually the number of kittens in one litter. If you are unable to find homes, what will be your options? Would you be able to take care of them all? And, if you do find homes for your kittens, bear in mind that this will reduce the number of homes available to kittens or cats in shelters waiting to be adopted.

Also, keep in mind that the female kittens in this litter, when they are grown and if they are not spayed, will then make more kittens. The male kittens, when they are grown and if they are not neutered, will then impregnate non-spayed female cats.

Most cat owners do not feel the need to neuter a male cat as they would not have to worry about kittens. However, the neutering of male cats should also be considered important as in the majority of neutered male cats, about 90%, certain behavioral characteristics such as the urge to roam, spray urine or fight with other cats are not displayed anymore. Also, these cats will have a reduced risk of experiencing mammary cancer and will be less likely to contract FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) and FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus).

In general, cats that undergo the process live a longer, healthier life.

You can read more about spaying or neutering in our articles:

What You Should Know About Spaying or Neutering Your Cat

Effects and Benefits of Spaying and Neutering Your Cat

Mythbuster – Spaying and Neutering

Indoor or Outdoor

This may be a difficult choice to make. The outdoors can be a dangerous place for your cat and you may want to keep it inside. If you are considering letting your kitty be an outdoor cat, then you will have to consider not only the safety of your cat, but also your neighbors comfort as outdoor kitties can generally be free roaming. Really, the best thing is for kitty to be an indoor cat.

If you would like your kitty to experience the outdoors, then you can look to providing a cat enclosure or train your kitty to walk on a leash (Yes! This is possible!).

If the cat is an outdoor cat (without the cat enclosure) then it becomes even more important that you spay or neuter kitty to help prevent unexpected kittens.

So hopefully you have considered the commitments that is required for your feline friend and  have decided that you can meet and exceed those commitments. You also have now carefully thought about the questions that need to be answered prior to getting your kitty, so that you can get one that is right for you and fits your lifestyle. Where can you find this kitty?

Onions, garlic, tomato and chive can be poisonous for cats

1) Onion, Shallots, Garlic, Tomato, Chive

 Though tasty for humans apart from the occasional tears, any type of onion in any form whether it be cooked or powdered, are toxic to cats. From a biological perspective, onions contain a chemical called N-propyl disulphide (C6H12S2) which can obliterate cat red blood cells causing a type of anemia called Heinz Body Hemolytic Anemia. So please keep this away from cats.

Also, garlic and chives has the same chemical but at a smaller concentration, making it poisonous to cats as well. It causes the Heinz Body effect after prolonged regular feeding. It may not do much damage if the cat just eats a little one time, but over a period of time can be quite detrimental to your cat’s health.

 Green Tomatoes is a member of the Solanaceae family of plants and when eaten by cats can cause gastro-intestinal upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. Green tomatoes contain a chemical called Glycoalkaloid Solanine which is also found in the leaves and stems. When green tomatoes become ripe, the chemical concentration diminishes to a minute amount so it is not that harmful to cats. Tomatoes can also cause behavioral changes, weakness, and a slower heart rate.

Grapes and Raisins can cause kidney failure in cats

2) Grapes or Raisins

Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in cats, currently there is scientific research into this topic but there is no clear reason as to why this is happening. Even a small amount of grapes or raisins can make a cat sick. Signs and symptoms include: vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, abdominal pain, lack of appetite resulting in kidney damage. Please do not leave these anywhere easily accessible by your cat.

Yummy! But sugary foods can cause health problems for your cat

3) Sugary Foods

Sugary foods are one of the human foods that are toxic to cats. According to Scientific American, cats cannot taste sugar, so why give them sugary foods? Sugary foods can result in diabetes, dental problems and obesity in cats. So please keep them away from any cakes, ice cream, whip cream, chocolate, icing sugar, syrup, candy, gum, toothpaste… I think you get the point. In some foods, a substance called Xylitol is used as a primary sweetener. Any sweeteners of sugar can cause insulin release in most animals, too much of which can lead to liver failure. The increase in insulin leads to hypoglycemia (lowered sugar levels). Initial signs of toxicosis in your cat includes vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination.

Humans love chocolates, but chocolates are poisonous for cats!

4) Chocolate, Coffee, Tea

Cats by nature would not eat chocolate, drink coffee or drink tea, however, some people think chocolates are a treat and tend to give them to a cat. Please be advised that chocolate, tea, coffee is toxic to cats and is very lethal! Chocolates, tea, coffee contain a substance called Theobromine, also known as Xantheose, it is a bitter alkaloid of the cacao plant (Cocoa), with the chemical formula C7H8N4O2. It is present in all chocolate, coffee and teas regardless of the type, but more stronger in coffee. When a cat consumes Theobromine, it causes an abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, hyperactivity, diarrhea, vomiting, panting, muscle tremors, mild to acute abdominal pain, bloody urine and in most cases, death.

Theobromine ingestion results in a diuretic effect on a cat’s body, causing the body to lose fluids, causing the heart to race and over stimulates the cat’s  central nervous system.

Alcohol is a no no for cats!

5) Alcohol

Yes you read correctly. Not that cats would go and open a can of beer but for us humans giving the cat beer is really a bad thing and not cool. I saw some people on social sites doing this, this is a no no! Please do not give your cat alcohol! Alcohol can be deadly for cats! Alcohol is intoxicating causes gastrointestinal irritation, diarrhea, vomiting, could put your cat in a coma and can result in death. Please don’t ever do this! Also any foods containing alcohol is really bad. E.g. Cakes, etc. Some journals have indicated that just 2 teaspoons of Vodka or any alcoholic beverage containing (30%-40% alcohol concentration) can put a cat in a coma!

Bread dough, when ingested by your cat, can cause pain

6) Bread Dough (yeast)

Some people actually give their cat bread dough when making home made bread. Since bread dough contains yeast, it causes the bread to rise. If your cat eats it, the dough will swell inside your cat’s stomach causing serious pain. Also, yeast can ferment to produce alcohol, causing the same effects listed above.

Mushrooms are extremely poisonous for cats!

7) Mushrooms

All mushrooms are extremely poisonous to cats. Mushrooms can cause damage to the cat’s liver, kidney and heart, all resulting in death. Mushrooms can also cause your cat to become hyperactive and go crazy, or go into a coma. It is highly recommended that you check your backyard to ensure that there are no poisonous mushrooms.

Large amounts of liver is harmful to a cat’s bone development

8) Large Amounts Of Liver

Small amounts of animal (chicken) liver is fine, but too much liver that is fed to your cat can  can result in vitamin A toxicity also called Vitamin A toxicosis. This is a serious condition that can affect a cat’s bone development. Some symptoms of Vitamin A toxicosis include deformed bones, bone growths and spurs on the elbows and spine, and can even result in osteoporosis in your cat. Vitamin A toxicity, if untreated and continued for long periods, can result in death.

Too much tuna can cause malnutrition in your cat!

9) Large Amounts of Canned Tuna (For Human Consumption)

While it is ok to give your cat a small amount in the event that you ran out of food, giving your cat tuna on a regular basis is not good at all! Cats can become addicted to tuna! A consistent diet of tuna prepared for us humans can lead to malnutrition in cats because it doesn’t have all the nutrients a cat requires.

Milk – Good for kittens, bad for adult cats

10) Milk And Other Dairy Products

While milk is okay in very small amounts, probably just a taste in the event you ran out of food, too much milk can causes serious intestinal problems. Kittens are able to tolerate milk but as they grow into adults, they should not be given milk. Their digestive system cannot process dairy foods properly, and the result can be an upset stomach and/or diarrhea.

Spinach can cause UTI

11) Spinach

I saw some sites on the internet recommending feeding your cat a few leaves of spinach. Please do not give you cat even a few leaves of spinach! Spinach can cause UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) in cats. A few years ago, I caught my kitty nibbling of a spinach leaf and a few days later she had the dreaded UTI. The vet advised me to keep spinach away from your cat’s eyes because they tend to eat green leaves at times. Spinach contains Calcium Oxalate crystals which cause bladder and kidney stones. Signs and symptoms are difficulty during urination, trying to urinate numerous times. Cats with bladder stones may have blood in their urine and may urinate frequently, passing only small quantities of urine each time. Often, they will strain while urinating, holding their body in the urinating posture for much longer than normal. They may lick their genital area more than usual. If your cat is straining to urinate and produces little urine or no urine at all, it is considered an extreme emergency.

Macademia Nuts are toxic to cats!

12) Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts contain a toxin which can affect the digestive and nervous systems of cats. Macadamia nuts are commonly used in many various deserts. Signs and symptoms usually start within 12 hours of ingestion and have been known to cause weakness, vomiting and tremors.

Marijuana causes health problems in cats

13) Marijuana

Not smoking it but ingesting the leaves can depress the nervous system and cause vomiting and heart rate changes in cats. Please do not allow cats to eat the leaves of this plant. Bad for humans and cats all the same.

Potatoes and there peelings are poisonous for cats

14) Raw Potato

Potatoes like tomatoes are member of the Solanaceae family of plants and when eaten by cats can cause gastro-intestinal upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. Raw potatoes contain a chemical called Glycoalkaloid Solanine. Uncooked or green potatoes and raw potato peelings are all toxic to cats. However, cooking destroys the chemical. Still to be on the safe side, do not feed cats potatoes.

Raw eggs are not good for your cat

15) Raw Eggs

Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can be harmful to cats as it can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella. Once cooked however, the enzyme is destroyed and will be safe. Only in a totally cooked state.

Continuous feeding of dog food to cats can lead to malnutrition in cats

16) Dog Food

Accidental ingestion of dog food won’t cause a problem. Repeated feeding may result in malnutrition and heart disease. Let’s face it, dog food is designed for dogs and cat food is designed for cats. We need to keep it that way.

Human tablets and medicine can be poisonous for cats!

17) Human Tablets or medicine

This is one of the most common causes of poisoning in cats! Too many times people have to take their cats to the vet because they gave them a drug prescribed for humans. Just like kids, all medicines must be kept out of a cat’s reach. And never give your cat any over-the-counter medicine unless advised to do so by your vet. Active ingredients such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are common in pain relievers and cold medicine and they can be deadly for your cat.

Apricots, cherry, peach pits and apple seeds are very toxic to cats!

18) Apricot, cherry, peach pits, apple seeds

Apricot, cherry, peach pits and apple seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides which will result in poisoning. This interferes with the ability of the blood to release oxygen into the tissues, so the cat effectively suffocates while it’s blood is full of oxygen.

Almonds are one of the human foods toxic to cats

19) Almond nuts, Almond Milk

Almonds are a healthy snack for humans, but these nuts are not recommend to give to cats. While your cat will probably be OK if he/she happens to eat a small amount of almonds or a food that contains almond (pastries, cookies, etc) as one of the ingredients. However, the ASPCA cautions against allowing your cat, or any pet, to consume almonds because of an assortment of other potential problems they may cause your kitty. Almonds contain cyanogenic glycosides which will result in poisoning in your cat. This interferes with the ability of the blood to release oxygen into the tissues. So keep Almonds away!

Avocado-another food loved by humans but toxic for cats

20) Avocado

Avocado contains a toxin known as persin. It is found in all parts of the avocado and is toxic to cats. Persin causes diarrhoea, vomiting, respiratory distress, congestion, accumulation of fluid around heart tissues and in some cases death. Please do not feed any avocado pieces (in salads) or in avocado dips.

Ingestion of citrus can lead to vomiting in cats

21) Citrus

Cooked bones can cause digestive obstruction in cats

May cause vomiting in cats.

22) Cooked bones

Cooked bones can splinter and cause an digestive obstruction, therefore they should be avoided, try going boneless instead.

Cantaloupes can cause kidney failure when eaten by cats

23) Cantaloupe

Cats that eat large amounts of Cantaloupe have been known to have kidney failure. So please keep this away!

Tobacco Plants, if eaten by cats, can lead to their death

24) Tobacco

Tobacco contains nicotine, which affects the digestive process and nervous systems. Ingestion of tobacco can result in a very rapid heart beat, coma, and death. Please keep these away from your cat!

Salt can cause Sodium Ion poisoning in cats

25) Salt

Large amounts of salt can produce extreme thirst and lots of urination, or can even cause sodium-ion poisoning in cats. Symptoms include vomiting, tremors, high body temperature, diarrhea, seizures and in some cases, death. Please do not feed cats salty chips or any other salty foods!

Bacon is toxic to cats

26) Bacon

Bacon is often too salty to safely feed to a cat. Please keep away from cats.

Signs of poisoning or toxicity in your cat

Some signs that your cat may have ingested a poisonous or toxic food include vomiting, bloody diarrhea, your cat appears to be distressed and/or in pain, and/or lethargy. Your cat’s stomach may also become bloated or distended and feel hard. If you notice any of these signs call your veterinarian or an emergency hotline immediately.

Cats can usually be treated if they ingest a poisonous or toxic food if the treatment is administered in enough time.

Keep your vet’s contact information on your refrigerator. You will also want to keep the ASPCA National Poison Control Center’s number handy. You may contact them by calling: 1-800-443-0000. A charge of $4.50 will be automatically billed to the caller’s number. Alternatively, you can bill the charge to your credit card by calling the ASPCA National Poison Control Center at: 1-800-426-443.

Wondering what foods there are left to give your cat, that are not harmful or toxic to cats? Check out the article Top 10 Human Foods You can Give your Cat for some ideas!

zeezoey.com

As a new website (universalcats.com) entering the cat universe, a.k.a. “cativerse”, we have come across tons and tons of blogs and websites about cats. There was one however that caught our attention – www.ZeeZoey.com, not just for design and well written content, but for the fact that this site was very expressive of the love Ms. Barnes has for cats. As we explored deeper into the site and did more background research, Ms. Barnes is really a true lover of cats and she supports and contributes to the overall cat community. Her work is endless and I think it is an honor to feature her website on ours and I would urge you to check out her website: www.ZeeZoey.com. She also published a a great book: The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey – A Journey of the Extraordinarily Ordinary. Also, we highly recommend reading her blog, she has won numerous awards and her book has many excellent reviews.

So who is Deborah Barnes?

Deborah Barnes

Deborah Barnes currently resides in Florida and is the author of the book, The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey – A Journey of the Extraordinarily Ordinary, that was inspired by the relationship she shared with her family of seven cats and lessons learned from them after a life changing event in 2009. She is also the creator of the award winning blog, Zee & Zoey’s Chronicle Connection, that not only continues to follow the everyday journey she shares with her cats, but covers topics from the humorous behaviors of cats to very serious subjects on pet responsibility. She has also rescued her newest family member, a Maine Coon mix named Kizmet, after writing the book, bringing her feline family to a total of eight!

 About the book

Zee&Zoey

The reader is invited into the magical world of Zee, her lovable male Maine Coon cat, and Zoey, her high-spirited female Bengal cat who fell madly in love and subsequently had a litter of kittens together, complete with a magnificent gallery of photos and custom illustrations to make the story even more enticing. The author is able to retell the details of the pregnancy and birth with amazing detail and realism, but with such a refreshing honesty and humor that even a “non cat lover” will appreciate and enjoy. It is a very warm, heartfelt, honest, humorous, sometimes sad, but very compelling story that people will easily relate to, as the story of the cats is wrapped into the general context of everyday life. But, most importantly, the story inspires the reader to look and learn from our feline friends as they perceive the world – to them, on each and every day, even the most ordinary of events or situations can become extraordinary through their minds eye.

While the Chronicles are clearly all about Zee and Zoey, they have begrudgingly admitted that there are other cats in the story that also live in the same house and are also very beloved and spoiled by the author and her photographer: Jazz – their beautiful Ragdoll and resident patriarch who they prefer to address as “Mr. Jazz” out of respect to his dignified age; Harley – their shorthaired Tortie and spinster extraordinaire whom they affectionately call “Aunt Harley;” and the offspring of the infamous King and Queen – Mia, who is their sweet, shy, petite girl who looks most like Mama; Peanut, their obsessively compulsive affectionate middle child and daughter number two; and Rolz, the reigning son and perpetually laziest cat on the earth.

Check out her blog for interesting news and articles and a huge thanks goes out to  Ms. Barnes for her hard work in the cat community.

1) Fish

Boiled boneless fish like salmon, red snapper are excellent for cats. Also canned tuna, canned sardines, is great to give with your cat but in small portions. Keep portion sizes small though! Fish is a good source of protein.

2) Boneless Meats – Chicken, Beef, Turkey, Ham

Boiled boneless meats can be a a plus for your cat. Also if you have deli meats in the fridge, use that too. But one note of caution, be aware of any sort of flavorings, preservatives and other seasonings as they can be detrimental to your cats health. Cats can eat normal bone-in meats but some cats who are accustomed to chow, will find it difficult to deal with bones in meat, so it is recommended to go boneless. Also any minced meat will be fine.

3) Watermelon

Some cats love melons! Watermelon is fine for your cat to ingest in SMALL amounts. Just make sure to remove the seeds before giving it to your cat.

4) Green Beans

Green beans are an excellent source of protein and can fill your cat’s stomach quickly. Some cat breeds really love beans. Some of us humans don’t…

5) Baked or Boiled Carrots

Baked or boiled, once it is soft carrots can be an excellent food source for your cat and again, in small amounts.

6) Steamed Asparagus

An excellent green food source for your cat in small bite site amounts, don’t over-feed with this.

7) Cheese

Feed in small slices, not too much since cats can be lactose intolerant causing intestinal problems. Any milk or dairy products should be avoided but in emergency situations, a small amount is fine. Just don’t overdo it. Please stay away from the seasoned cheeses, blue cheese, etc. Just plain old cheese will work.

8) Broccoli

Ran out of food but have veggies in the fridge? Try feeding your cat broccoli. Cats love to eat green leaves, they also like broccoli.

9) Eggs

Scrambled or hard-boiled eggs are excellent sources of protein. Make sure that the egg is cooked well and do NOT use any butter, oils or any other ingredients that we would normally use. Just plain old eggs will do the trick.

10) Lettuce

Cats love to eat grass time to time and will definitely love lettuce as well. The trick is to tear it up into shreds so that it looks like leaves. Cats will fuss if the lettuce leaves are too large, tear those babies up!

My my, all this food is really working up our appetite here at Universal Cats. 

What is the Spaying of a Cat?

Spaying of a cat, also called an ovariohysterectomy, is the surgical removal of the reproductive organs of female cat. This involves the removal of a cat’s ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus.

The reproductive organs that are removed are those which are responsible for the production of eggs (also called ova), embryo and fetus development as well as the secretion of the major female reproductive hormones called oestrogen and progesterone.

It results in the female cat being unable to breed or experience the usual indications of going into heat.

What is the Neutering of a Cat?

Neutering is the surgical removal of a male cat’s testicles, also called castration. This will result in a male cat’s inability to produce sperm, and thus, being unable to impregnate a female cat.

What Is Involved in the Process of Spaying or Neutering of Your Kitty?

This article is not meant to replace the advice of your veterinarian, but is meant to be general guide as to what you can expect, once you have made the decision to spay or neuter your kitty.

Knowing what to expect may help to reduce the anxiety that may be experienced prior to your cat going into surgery.

The process of spaying or neutering your kitty involves some input from you and of course your veterinarian. Again, this is a general guide, you should take your cat to the veterinarian, to determine the general health of the cat and any adjustments to your treatment of him or her prior to and after the surgery.

What Should You Do (or Not Do) Prior to the Operation?

The  kitty must be prepared for the surgery by doing the following:

Your Kitty Cat Will Have to be Fasted

The kitty must not be fed food the night before the surgery as there should not be food in her stomach on the day of the surgery. Your veterinarian may suggest that your cat’s last meal, before the start of fasting, should be 12 hours prior to the time of the surgery.

This is very important, as the cat will receive a general anesthetic, and may vomit if he or she has a full stomach of food and this could lead to serious and potentially fatal complications. The cat could choke on the vomited food; inhale it into his or her lungs which can result in severe bronchoconstriction, or even result in chemical or bacterial pneumonia.

Your vet may indicate that water should not be withheld, and that if the cat is a young kitten, between 8 and 16 weeks of age, then he or she should not be fasted for more than 8 hours prior to surgery.

If your kitty is an outdoor cat and food cannot be withheld from him or her for the night, then you may have to confine your kitty to a room during the night before the surgery. Water and kitty’s litter box should be made available for him or her.

You Have the Option to Bathe Your Kitty Prior to Surgery

You will not be able to bathe your kitty for two weeks after the surgery, as the surgery wound should not get wet, so if you are in the habit of bathing your kitty, then you can go ahead and bathe kitty before the surgery.

On the Day of the Operation

You should arrive at the veterinarian clinic at the time specified by your vet, with your fasted cat of course. Try not to be late, as your vet may have other operations carded for the day, and you do not want your kitty’s fasting to be for nothing. If you are running late, the kindest thing would be to let your vet know.

The vet will let you know when you should pick up your kitty. It may be a good idea to call the clinic first to ensure that the procedure has been completed and you can come in to pick up kitty.

After Surgery Care

Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Once the kitty has woken up from the anesthesia, you can go ahead and feed her, preferably a soft meal and in a small amount. Also, make sure that her water and litter box is available. Some kitties may not feel the urge to eat, so you can try foods with a strong scent, like fish-containing tinned food, or tuna or salmon. Try to stick to the lower fatty fish foods as foods with a higher fat content, such as lamb, pork etc. may upset her digestive system.

Monitor your kitty’s behavior post-surgery. Within 1 to 3 days should be behaving as normal, eating, drinking, urinating as she did prior to the surgery.

If your kitty’s behavior has not reverted to normal, if she is drinking excessively, not eating, showing any signs of vomiting, contact your vet.

If your kitty does not eat anything for more than 24 hours after the surgery, then contact your vet.

Your cat’s surgery wound will take between 10 to 14 days to heal completely. During this time, it is the best that kitty avoids any strenuous activity such as running or jumping around. This will reduce any chance of the wound reopening and any resulting complications.

As best as possible, try to ensure that your kitty stays indoors as this will reduce the chance of the wound becoming dirty, wet and infected and will also allow you to better monitor her healing progress and general well-being.

Also, try as much as possible, and this might be difficult, to prevent her from licking her wounds as this can lead to its reopening. If she continues to lick her wounds, you can get an Elizabethan collar. This will prevent her from being able to lick her wound and thus, reduce the chance of it becoming infected.

DO NOT medicate your kitty with pain-killers made for humans as many human pain killers medications can be toxic to cats. Never, Ever, Ever give your kitty Paracetemol or Panadol!

After the surgery healing period has passed, you may need to return to the vet with kitty in order to remove her stitches. At the time of surgery, the vet would have let you know if this was required as some vets use dissolvable surgery sutures that do not require you to return with kitty to the vet, as these sutures are absorbed by the body due to a reaction with the bodily fluids.

Once the stitches are removed, your kitty should return to his/her usual self. They should be back to playing and eating and being as cute and adorable as they were prior to the surgery.

The myths about spaying or neutering are also discussed in Mythbuster – Spaying and Neutering. Here we are going to look at the effects of spaying or neutering your cat and the benefits that you can look forward to in the long years that you will have with your cat, if she or he undergoes the surgery.

What are the effects of spaying or neutering of a cat?

Digo_Souza / Foter.com / CC BY-ND

• Male cats will not feel the urge to roam or mark their territory (by urination) after neutering.

• Sometimes kitty may gain weight after the spaying or neutering operation. For male cats, this may be because of their reduced desire to roam. And for female cats, it is because metabolic rate of a spayed kitty is lower than that of a non-spayed one. If he or she does gain weight, then you can gradually reduce the amount of food or treats being given, or increase kitty’s daily exercise. If these solutions do not work, then you can consult your vet.

• The anxiety and intense behavior that occurs during the mating season would not be displayed anymore as both the male and female cat would have had their sexual organs removed. Thus, kitty may seem quieter, but this could be due to her not exhibiting “heat” behavior.

What are the benefits of spaying your female cat?

• For female cats, spaying reduces the occurrence of ovarian cancer, uterine cancer and pyometritis which is a potentially fatal infection caused by a virulent bacteria that attacks the uterus of the cat. Its best to try and spay her before her first heat as this will greatly reduce the risk of mammary cancer.

• She will not experience a heat cycle anymore, which will reduce disruptive behavior, such as yowling, pacing and her trying to escape.

• There will be no chance of her producing a litter, which will help in improving the likelihood for kittens and cats in shelters to be adopted. Keep in mind that the female kittens in a litter, when they are grown and if they are not spayed, will then make more kittens. The male kittens, when they are grown and if they are not neutered, will then impregnate non-spayed female cats.

• She will be less likely to get into fights with other cats.

• It will stop male cats from being attracted to your house (because kitty will no longer be in heat) and as a result, male cats will not spray their urine around or in your house.

• Better likelihood of your kitty living a long and health life.

What are the benefits of neutering your male cat?

• He will be less likely to contract FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) and FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) and reduce the chance of getting cancers that affect the testicles.

• He will not display the behaviors that he would have usually experienced during the mating season. Such as spraying (urine) and roaming.

• He will be less likely to get into fights with other cats.

• He will not be able to participate in reproduction and thus, this could help in the control of the cat population.

• You neutered male cat will not want to roam and you will have the peace of mind of knowing that he will be safe and sound home with you.

• Better likelihood of him living a long and health life.

Hopefully this article and the others that dealt with spaying and neutering helped bring some the unknown into the light and, if you are considering the surgery for your kitty, will help you make an informed decision. If you have already performed the surgery, hopefully this helped to give you a better understanding of the process and its outcome.