Purebliss Cattery

Garden Slugs/Snails If there are snail or slug trails over cat food dishes or water dishes discard the food and thoroughly clean the dishes. Don't use anything that can be harmful to hedgehogs to control your garden slugs or snails - Diatomaceous Earth works well and doesn't harm hedgehogs, cats, dogs, or other small animals. Snails /slugs can be dangerous to cats or kittens! *************

Taking Home Your New Kitten When taking home your new kitten, a stimulating environment is essential to keep your kitten physically fit and healthy. Toys you can dangle for him/her to chase around - keep him/her busy and active with toys he/she can play with on his/her own, as well as lots of interactive games with you. Toys need to encourage natural behaviour such as hunting, running, pouncing, leaping, grabbing, and even biting. A cat activity centre is essential for hybrids such as bengals, savannahs and Marguerites, and Toygers also enjoy lots of activity. Teach your new kitten by rewards - create new habits by giving rewards - Hybrids are a little selfish and very inquisitive and will happily go to your work surface and anywhere else you may visit.  So with each visit give your kitten his/her reward on the floor, so that their habit is to look for their treat rather than to see what you are up to.  This way they are less likely to think of their food being on the work...

Having spent time getting your cat used to having his paws and toes being touched and gently rubbed it now time to trim his claws. Hold him on your knew or beside you or over your friends shoulder, whichever is best for you and your cat - Tim will hold the cat over his shoulder if the cat isn't sure, or cuddle the cat close to him to give the cat confidence. Then, gently resting your cats toes on your fingers putting gentle pressure on the toe unsheath his claw, not forgetting rewarding him with kind words of encouragement. Gently touch the claw clipper to the claw and cut the dead part of the claw off (usually the hooked part). Only cut the tip of the claw, being careful to avoid the sensative quick. If you cut too close and cause bleeding - DON'T PANIC! Place the tip of the bleeding claw into some strong salt solution to stop the bleeding and help prevent infection setting in. NEVER HOLD ON TIGHT TO YOUR CATS PAWS/TOES.

Its a good idea to clip your cats claws when he/she is relaxed so get your cat used to having his/her paws touched by gently touching and rubbing his/her paws when he is relaxed. Ensure you have good qulaity sharpe clippers that are the correct size for your cat - not too small as they will pinch the claw and cause discomfort to your cat. Practice gently resting your cats toes on your fingers putting gentle pressure on the toe to unsheath his claws, not forgetting rewarding him with kind words of encouragement. NEVER HOLD ON TIGHT TO YOUR CATS PAWS/TOES.

Tree Sap December is approaching fast so now is the time to think about things that cats/kittens can be allergic to such as the sap from pine trees (fresh christmas trees). There are many plants and flowers that cats/kittens are allergic to and that can kill them. If they ingest such as stamens from a lily or lick the pollen off their fur you must visit your vet with them - Poinsettia are poisonous to cats/kittens so please put them where your cats won't play with them or chew on them. If in any doubt at all please visit your vet! There are several sites on the internet with lots of information regarding poisonous plants.

FOOD Whichever food you decide to feed its important to remember to put it into clean dishes and not on top of food left down. Fly's and birds are in abundance this time of year and they carry many parasites and their eggs, and bacteria and can leave these in/on the food or dirty food dishes. The heat can also cause food to go rancid and then any food put on top will soon turn rancid.

MICROCHIPPING. Microchipping is now compulsory for all dogs/puppies in UK, but we belive it also essential for cats and kittens in UK. It is a quick and relatively painless procedure and vital to ensure your pet is permanently identifiable.