Chapter 8 Small Animal Care

 Describe nutritional needs of cats  Describe difficulties encountered when training cats.  Describe equipment needed when caring for cats.  Describe how cats reproduce.  If you read these objectives, write +5 at the top of your paper.

 True carnivores  Require twice as much protein in diet as dogs  Best source is from animal products (30-40% should be meat, meat by-products, fish, eggs, milk)  10% of diet should consist of fat  Should be fed commercial cat food

 If feeding fresh food, provide variety, if not may cause health problems & deficiency’s (bone disease, stunted growth, poor eyesight, vitamin ! poisoning, diarrhea, gas)  When feeding meat, remove all bones or chop  Canned Foods  Contain more animal protein than others  Have higher fat content that makes them more palatable  Contain 75% water  Because of high amount of water, cats may not drink as much water, but it should be available  Don’t feed straight from fridge, allow to warm

 Semi-Moist Foods  Less expensive  Contain some vegetable protein usually supplemented with nutrients to make them complete  Have chemicals added to keep them from drying out of spoiling  Contain 30% water  May not be complete especially for kittens

 Dry Foods  10% water  Less fat and protein than semi-moist  Have plenty of water available  Some cats develop bladder problems  Milk, water, or gravy can be added to endure cats get adequate water intake  Help with cleaning teeth and prevent tarter buildup  Feed mixtures of the 3 types to maintain proper nutrition

 Amount to feed --- depends on cat, activity, & age / kittens will not consume enough to last 24 hours / 2 meals recommended / young and pregnant or nursing require frequent feedings  Amount of exercise --- varies based on breed & where home is / apt cats may need to be furnished w/ toys to give them exercise

 Sharpen claws --- to remove loose scales & fragments of dry skin / leave a mark for other cats  Toilet training --- easy b/c cats naturally cover  Training --- can be trained like dogs

 Sleek, glossy hair coat is an indication of a cat’s general health & care  Grooming removes old, dead hair & lessens risk of hairballs  Shed: fall & spring  Longhaired cats should receive daily care

 Equipment for longhaired cats  Comb w/ 2 sizes of teeth  Fine-tooth or flea comb  Nail clippers  Grooming brush made w/ natural bristles  Grooming powder  With wide toothed comb,comb all areas of cat. Brush out fur, in opposite directions to which hair naturally lies. Occasionally sprinkle in powder. If bad tangles, use blunt end scissors to cut out.

 Equipment for shorthaired cats  Fine toothed or flea comb  Hand grooming is sufficient to remove dead hair.  Baths may be necessary occasionally. Be careful not to splash and make a lot of noise to frighten cat.

 Female cats are called queens  Age queens come in heat varies  Estrus is induced by lengthening daylight and rising temps of spring  Heat period = 9-10 days, if not bred will come back into heat in days  Signs: restless, friendly, rubbing against objects, decreased appetite, urinating frequently, repeated monotone howl or call is made while rolling on floor

 Any touch on back of tail stimulates a crouch position, further stroking at back & base of tail exaggerated this receptive position  Toms emit courtship cries & spray urine to leave scent to attract females  Immediately after mating, female releases loud piercing cry, turns, & attacks male  Ovulation occurs 24 hrs after mating  Pregnancy averages 65 days, range from days

 At 3 wks - nipples become pink & hair recedes slightly  At 6 wks - pregnancy obvious by abdomen  2 wks b/f kittens due - female becomes restless & searches for quiet place to give birth

 1st stage  female’s rate of breathing increases  she breathes through mouth  clear discharge which becomes blood stained  2nd stage  contractions of abdominal muscles  occur 1 an first, then every 30 seconds

 Female repeatedly licks genital area & shows signs of agitation  Vaginal opening dilated & first amniotic sac appears  Sac & enclosed kitten expelled w/in minutes  Female ruptures amniotic sac, cleans kitten by persistent licking  Female severs umbilical cord w/ teeth  Placenta & afterbirth expelled, female eats it (source of nutrients)  Remaining litter follows at 15 min intervals

 Female can go out of labor for up to 24 hrs, nursing first kittens b/f going back into labor  If female doesn’t remove sac from newborn, you need to do it!  First milk produced = colostrum