Posted by Jeanne on March 20, 2009
A litter of these small clowns is great sport to watch at this time. They are alert, lively, and however aimless their play may seem, seriously in training for the business of being cats. They wrestle mightily with each other, always seeking the underneath position and the opportunity of raking the enemy’s unprotected belly with their powerful hind claws. They pounce on anything that moves intriguingly, including the mother cat’s tail. They tussle, tumble and dance. They dine ecstatically and sleep in a Kittenhuddle.
Perhaps most delightful are the infant approximations of big cat behavior. Each tiny back arches at the threat of danger. A dreadful grimace twists the baby face and from the pink mouth issues a soft warning hiss, sounding very much like the exhalations of a steam iron. Otherwise, for normal use, the voice of the kitten is high and squeaky-sounding like “eeee” or “eee-you.”
Each day, each week, is one of achievement. At six weeks the teeth are in. By seven or eight the unsteady legs are firm. By eight or nine, the kittens are big enough to be weaned, although it may take a frightening, unexpected snarl from mother, or a cuff from her paw to convince them of it.
By now, too, they will have become distinct personalities. Or, at least, one will have asserted itself as boss of the litter, stronger, rougher, first at the dinner table, always at the center of the bed
. Very likely, too, this is the one which will learn the most, and learn it most quickly.
Posted by Jeanne on March 19, 2009
Given decent food and shelter, most cats stay healthy most of the time. Like any creature, however, they will have their share of minor ailments, and occasionally they are hit by a major disorder. The former you may be able to do something about. The latter is definitely best left to a veterinarian.
Most devastating — but easiest to prevent — is infectious enteritis, or feline distemper, a virus disease which has for years been the great killer of cats. There is now a serum which gives immunity, and there is no reason for not inoculating your kitten as soon as possible after it is six weeks old. Enteritis strikes so fast and so mercilessly that there may be no time to act after the cat is sick.
Also have your cat inoculated against rabies. This is not a common cat illness, but it is one that can be passed on to humans.
Perhaps the most usual health problem is worms. The cat with worms becomes a seedy critter. Its coat is poor, its appetite either ravenous or almost totally lacking. There are many varieties — roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms — and cats can get all of them. Some of these parasites are caught from lice or fleas, which even the nicest cat can pick up almost any time she is let out of the house. Others are carried in the organs of the rodents the cat eats. Usually, the cat ingests the eggs of the parasite, which then mature and fasten themselves to the intestinal walls. There they fatten themselves at the expense of the cat.
A small amount of garlic, taken regularly, is the simple way to guard against worms. Garlic will also work after a cat gets worms, although it’s slow and a visit to the vet for de-worming would probably be better.
Fleas and lice, as well as parasites, may be carriers of diseases. To get rid of the wretched things, it’s wise to dust your cat’s coat, as well as brush it, every so often. Again, ask the vet for a safe powder to use.
