F.A.Q.'s - Frequently Asked Questions

Should I Spay or Neuter My Cat? Unless you are going to breed your cat it is recommended to have your cat spayed or neutered. An un-neutered male will spray pungent urine, fight more with other cats and tend to wander farther then a neutered male. An un-spayed female will go thru heat several times a year and unless kept indoors may have unwanted pregnancies. If a cat is altered at a young age the cat is typically more affectionate.

Should I Have My Cat De-Clawed? This subject has a lot of controversy around it. Some feel it is like amputation and therefore inhumane, others feel it is a necessity for an indoor cat. Whatever your point of view it's always best to discuss thoroughly with your vet.

What Do I Do in an Emergency? There are a lot of 24 hour clinics and pet hospitals available. Consult your vet or check your local yellow pages. This is something that is best if done ahead of time so that you are prepared when a crisis arises.

Should I Get a Cat or Kitten? This is a choice of preference. Kittens will take more time with training and playing but are obviously adorable. See How to Pick a Cat or Kitten for more information.

How Do I Box Train My Kitten? Most kittens will learn this task from their mothers at around three to four weeks of age. If for some reason they don't you can simply put the kitten in the litter box when they appear to need to use it. For more information on box training see the Kitten Care page.

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Where Can I Get a Cat or Kitten? A cat or kitten can be obtained from pet stores, Breeders, news paper advertisements, or animal shelters. Also, veterinary offices are a good resource of listings of cats that need homes. Just be sure to completely research your source prior to adopting your new family member.

How Long Do Cats Usually Live? Indoor cats have a longer life span than outdoor cats. On average a cat will live 12 to 15 years. Some even as long as 20 years and longer.

My Kitten is Suckling My Other Pets-Is This Ok? It sounds like your kitten wasn't completely weaned before taking it away from its mother. If your kitten is already eating solid food then it's nothing to worry about and eventually your kitten will grow out of it. If you can't wait for that to happen then every time you see it suckling try redirecting the kittens attention. Take it away from your other pet and put the kitten in another room. If you give it food or play with it as your distraction, you'll be conditioning the kitten to expect those things to happen when it suckles. For your kitten the suckling is more of a comfort thing (like a baby sucking on a pacifier) then it is an attempt to look for food. See the Kitten Care page for more info.

Why Has My Cat Stopped Using the Litter Box? Cats will stop using a litter box for a number of reasons. It could be that there are too many sharing a box, it doesn’t like the litter type anymore, or it could be that it doesn’t like the type of box being used (i.e. doesn’t like the lid, or the bags, etc.). Try adding another litter box or changing the brand of litter and put it where the cat is going outside the original box. If neither of these help have your cat checked for a urinary tract infection. See the Litter Box Tips page for more information.

Have a Question? Email catcarehq@gmail.com Your question and answer will be posted here and answered via email.