Proper Cat Stewardship Guidelines
Follow these pointers for a lifetime of love and companionship with your pet.

Cats are a delightful addition to any home and family! In light of our more restrictive lifestyles, cats are often a better choice of pet than other choices. In fact, they are now the #1 pet in North America.

Ensure your cat wears a cat identification tag and has a Microchip:
Every year thousands of stray cats come the municipal animal shelter, and only 5% to 7% are claimed by their owners. This adds up to approximately 200 out of 5000 stray cats claimed.

Keep your cat indoors:
Protect your cat by allowing it to go outdoors for short periods of time only when supervised or under control.

Have a Veterinarian examine your cat annually:
Keep vaccinations up to date...this will keep your cat disease and parasite free.

Provide proper nutrition:  
Make certain that your cat has quality food, water, and shelter at all times. A well-nourished and healthy cat means a longer life and fewer trips to the veterinarian.

Behavioral Problems:
Inconsistent use of the litter box is a common problem cat owners often face. This problem's often fixable. Contact your veterinarian for advice and guidance.

Proper grooming: 
Owners should not ignore the importance of daily or weekly grooming. Grooming provides the opportunity for pet owners to be on the look out for fleas or other problems that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Choosing the Perfect Cat
The following information is based on the most current research available online BUT, it is neither the opinion of this author nor meant as a definitive guideline to any of the breeds mentioned below;

For additional research we suggest The Cat Fancier's Association (CFA)
Not only are they the definitive source for all things "Pedigree Cat" on the internet, they are also a fantastic organization which has the largest registry of pedigree cats in the world. (By definition a "pedigreed cat" is the product of two parents which are registered & come from the same breed).



TOP 10 MOST FRIENDLY CAT BREEDS

1. Abyssinian
Abyssinians have consistently been a top pick for being the most loyal and affectionate towards people. Also, unlike most other feline breeds, Abyssinians hold a fascination for water & they can become excellent swimmers.

2. The Exotic Shorthair
The Exotic Shorthair is related to the Persian breed but, unlike the Persian, they have short-hair which makes it so much easier to care for. Although somewhat more independent than the Persian cat, they inherited their gentle ways and tame personality from their ancestors without the nervousness of that breed.

3. The Birman
The Birman is definitely a "people's cat" which bonds strongly with their owners. They have a curious nature and are
one of the most intelligent cats.

4. Burmese
The Burmese breed is split into two sub-categories: British Burmese and American Burmese. Both tend to form strong bonds with their owners, and are attracted to any kind of human activity.

5. Maine Coon
Originally bred to control the rat populations on Maine farms, Maine Coon’s were named in the mistaken belief that they were half raccoon. These cats have a long, thick coat and the temperament of the Domestic Shorthair.

6. Manx
The Manx breed is primarily known for "tailless" gene. Despite this, Manx are extremely athletic. They have very powerful back legs that enable them to accelerate quickly, and jump to surprising heights. Like many of the cats on our list, the Manx tend to bond strongly with their owners, but may have difficulty with moving to a new home.

7. Persians
Persians are most known for their thick and luxurious coat, large eyes, and short but sturdy-legged body. It is because of this body type that the Persian has a "slow moving dignity" about them, making them a quiet and relaxed pet. Throughout the years, they have consistently ranked as one of the most popular cat breeds ever

8. Ragdoll
The Ragdoll is well known for their intelligence and loyal nature. They have many "puppy" like characteristics, will easily learn their name and come when called, and love to play and give affection.

9. Somali
As a Somali owner, expect to have your cat beside you at all times. Somalies are very affectionate & loving cats that tend to remain playful throughout their lives.

10. Chantilly/Tiffany
The Chantilly/Tiffany is affectionate, loyal, and friendly if somewhat subdued. A little wary around strangers, this breed is neither lazy nor overactive, a trait many cat owners find desirable. Persian

TOP 10 LEAST FRIENDLY CAT BREEDS
("Least Friendly" can be defined as shy, reserved, wary of children or, so dedicated to one owner that its at the
expense of all others, etc)

1. American Wirehair
The American Wirehair, so named for its dense, resilient and springy coat, is quite rare, routinely selling for $1000 and more. The Wirehair can be quite reserved and quiet, but, they are still a great breed which is easy to care for.

2. Bengal
The Bengal is a cross between the wild Asian Leopard and domestic cat. They are extremely energetic, love the water, and demand affection

3. Bombay
This breed has a very striking appearance, somewhat similar to a mini-panther with a sleek coat and stunning copper eyes. The Bombay is a quiet breed of cat who just  seems to always crave affection; Bombay’s tend to be extremely sensitive about loud and sudden noises, making them very wary of children and, the great outdoors.

4. Cymric
The Cymric is among the oldest of domestic breeds of cat. They tend to be very aloof when it comes to children, strangers, and dogs, although in some ways their behavior can be seen as dog-like especially in how much they love to play fetch and, will not hesitate to growl at sudden noises

5. Egyptian Mau
The Maus will bond strongly with their owners, but tend to be a bit shy around strangers. They are very protective of their toys and will actually growl at anyone who tries to remove them!

6. Korat
The Korat is an Asian breed; in fact they are the most popular cat in Thailand today. Korat tend to be spooked by sudden loud noises, and are quite passive around children, which could be mistaken for "unfriendliness". Be prepared to hear their voice often as they are one of the most vocal breeds.

7. Siamese
Siamese are consistently ranked as one of the most popular cat breeds.
Most people who own a Siamese would argue that they're the friendliest cat in the world, not one of the least but in light of the fact that they also tend to bond with one person only, they sometimes are not really affectionate towards others, especially strangers and children.

8. Scottish Fold
The Scottish Fold's ears are derived from a genetic abnormality that "folds" the ears forward. Naturally a reserved breed they interact with humans very well but, they are also quiet & shy 

9. Sphynx
Another breed with a tendency to be somewhat demanding in terms of attention - the Sphynx came into existence approx. 40 years ago in Canada, when a domestic cat gave birth to an almost hairless kitten. Although regarded as “hairless” they have a little bit of hair which feels like peach fuzz.

10. Singapura
The Singapura originated on the streets of Singapore & the breed has been treated poorly by humans over the years because they are generally not well received in their native country. This may explain their lack of social skills with strangers.

   -"Dogs believe they are human. Cats believe they are God."-         


Cats can make great companions for people of all ages, but it is very important to choose one that has the right temperament for you. Cats
like people, have their own personalities, and it may be that a mischievous and playful cat would be more suited to you than one which is quiet and aloof.

You may need to consider the needs of other family members too, such as young children, old people, or someone who suffers from an allergy. With over one hundred recognized breeds and numerous mixed breeds to choose from, you should’t find it too difficult to find the perfect cat.


  Cat or Kitten? 
 Kittens often look so adorable that  many 
 people find them hard to resist when going out
 in search of a new pet. They are, however, 
 extremely energetic and require lots of 
 attention in the early stages. Kittens will also 
 need to be litter trained, and will require 
 vaccinating and neutering before they reach a  
 certain age.

  Kittens are also more fragile than older cats, and
  they could suffer injuries at the hands of young 
  children who don’t understand how to handle them
  correctly.
 
 Cats, on the other hand, are more relaxed and will    
 not require as much attention. You should find that 
 most cats are already fully house-trained, and the


majority of them will have been neutered and vaccinated too. An older cat may be a particularly good choice if you have young children or elderly people in your home. 

Short-haired or long-haired?
Short-haired varieties are more common than long-haired varieties, but the choice really comes down to personal preference. Cats actually enjoy being groomed, and you do need to groom your pet regularly to keep its coat free
of surface dirt, trapped debris and loose hair. Long-haired varieties, however, do require a lot more attention to avoid rematting of the fur. If you lead a very busy life, you may find a long-haired breed rather time consuming.

Male or Female?
Both male and female cats can make perfect pets, but they do need to be neutered. Unneutered male cats can “spray” continually, and this can become a real problem in the house. Unspayed female cats may “vocalize” at all hours of the day or night, and they could even produce a surprise litter of kittens if not kept under strict supervision. Male cats are significantly larger and often more friendly than female cats too; although every cat owner will probably have a different tale to tell.

Pedigree or mixed breed?  
There are many pedigree cats to choose from and they all have different temperaments. They also vary greatly in size,color and coat length. The advantage of buying a pedigree is that you can be more certain of what you are getting than if you purchase a mixed breed. You will be able to see the parents in most cases too, and many breeders will also let you have the “pick of the litter.” Take care when considering a kitten from a pet shop, though, as it may have originated from a kitten mill. These mass interbreeding outlets have led to an increase in genetically inherited
diseases and changes in classic breed temperament. If you wish to purchase a cat for showing purposes, then selecting a good pedigree is obviously a “must.”

Settling in
To enable your cat to settle into its new home as quickly as possible you will need to make sure that everything is ready beforehand. Make sure that you have a secure pet carrier ready too, as this is the safest way to transport
your cat to its new home. If you have another cat or any other pets in your home, you will need to take introductions very slowly.

Make introductions slowly so other pets get used to the new arrival!
It is best to confine your new cat to a room of its own at first and then introduce it slowly to your other pets in a neutral area. This process may take a little time, however, but it will be worth it in the end when all your pets
become the best of friends!

 Cats Shown To Offer Many A Better Night's Sleep - Sherry Morse and Sarah Wahlert
 Forty-four percent of respondents to a survey of cat    
 owners in England recently conducted by Cats Protection,  
 the UK’s oldest and largest feline welfare charity, indicated that they "enjoy a better night's sleep with their cat on their bed than with their spouse."

Only 26 percent of the men who were polled agreed with the statement, but a majority, 51 percent, of the women did. "Those who said they enjoyed a better night's sleep with their cat stated they felt safer and more comforted with their feline," said Cats Protection Head of Promotions, Judy Bernstein.

Among the other advantages of cats cited by respondents were more space on the bed, purring, and an absence of harassment and/or snoring.

A total of 420 individuals took the survey.  All of them were at least 20 years old, but no older than 40. Most of the individuals – 55 percent – indicated that they would be willing to allow their cats to "hog the covers" in order to make themselves more comfortable, but not permit their spouses to do so.




Men of the World - We may be in trouble here. What exactly are we being told in that article!

Hey...wait a minute ....Come to think about it
Didn't I recently see that the follow up to this study states that a majority of women agreed not only were pets easier to train than husbands - didn't they also say that in the end, the final results were much more gratifying as well !


The following is a list of popular myths which Veterinarians frequently hear from pet owners & the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) as well as the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) would like to dispel.

Cats always land on their feet.
Fact: While cats instinctively fall feet first and may survive falls from high places, they also may receive broken bones in the process. Some kind of screening on balconies and windows can help protect pets from disastrous falls.

Cats should drink milk everyday.
Fact: Most cats like milk, but do not need it if properly nourished. Also, many will get diarrhea if they drink too much milk. If it is given at all, the amount should be small and infrequent.

Cats that are spayed or neutered automatically gain weight.
Fact: Like people, cats gain weight from eating too much, not exercising enough or both. In many cases, spaying or neutering is done at an age when the animal's metabolism already has slowed, and its need for food has decreased. If the cat continues to eat the same amount, it may gain weight. Cat owners can help their cats stay fit by providing exercise and not over-feeding.

Cats cannot get rabies.
Fact: Actually, most warm-blooded mammals, including cats, bats, skunks and ferrets, can carry rabies. Like dogs, cats should be vaccinated regularly according to local laws.

Indoor cats cannot get diseases.
Fact: Cats still are exposed to organisms that are carried through the air or brought in on a cat owner's shoes or clothing. Even the most housebound cat ventures outdoors at some time and can be exposed to diseases and worms through contact with other animals feces.

Tapeworms come from bad food.
Fact: Pets become infected with tape worms from swallowing fleas, which carry the parasite. Also, cats can get tapeworms from eating infected mice or other exposed animals.

Putting garlic on a pet's food will get rid of worms.
Fact: Garlic may make the animal's food taste better but has no effect on worms. The most effective way to treat worms is by medication prescribed by a veterinarian.

Pregnant women should not own cats.
Fact: Some cats can be infected with a disease called toxoplasmosis, which occasionally can be spread to humans through cat litter boxes and cause serious problems in unborn babies. However, these problems can be
controlled, if the expectant mother avoids contact with the litter box and assigns daily cleaning to a friend or other
family member.

A cat's sense of balance is in its whiskers.
Fact: Cats use their whiskers as "feelers" but not to maintain their balance.

Animals heal themselves by licking their wounds.
Fact: Such licking actually can slow the healing process and further damage the wound.