Cat scratch fever: What to do and what you should know?
Cat scratch fever can happen when a person receives a bite, scratch, or lick from a cat that is infected with the bacteria Bartonella henselae.
The infection does not usually cause severe complications, but it can lead to problems for people with a weak immune system. Knowing how to spot cat scratch fever can ensure a person receives swift treatment.
Cats can transmit several types of infections to humans. Some of these diseases can be severe. Carrying out routine care for a cat often reduces the risk of many of these diseases.
Causes
A person can get cat scratch fever after a scratch or bite from an infected cat. The Bartonella henselae (B. henselae) bacteria live in a cat’s saliva. They can pass to a person through an open area of skin.
Cat scratch fever is more common in the fall and winter when people are inside and playing with their cats. Children are more likely than adults to have it, and playing roughly with a cat increases the chances of getting scratched.
Symptoms
Cat scratch fever does not usually cause symptoms in the first few days or weeks after exposure when the bacteria are multiplying in the body.
About 3 to 14 days after the infection first occurred, a person may see a small bump or blister on the contact area, most commonly on the:
arms
hands
scalp
head
Doctors call this an inoculation lesion. This lesion may not occur in some cases, or an individual may not notice it on their body.
A few weeks later, the lymph nodes near the lesion may become swollen or tender.
Lymph nodes are responsible for filtering bacteria and other particles and for creating immune system cells. They usually feel like small, spongy, round or oval bumps.
If a person has had a bite or scratch on the arm, the lymph nodes under the arm or near the elbow may be especially tender.
Sometimes, the lymph nodes swell as much as 2 inches across. They may be warm to the touch, fluid-filled, or red. They may remain swollen for 2–3 weeks.
For most people, swollen lymph nodes are the only symptom. However, other symptoms that might occur include:
abdominal pain
loss of appetite
fever, typically not above 102°F
tiredness
a headache
joint pain
a rash
a sore throat
A person should see a doctor if they have a scratch that continues to get larger after 2 days.
Complications
Cat scratch fever does not usually cause severe symptoms, but some people may develop a high temperature that does not improve with time. Some people can also experience infections in the bones, joints, liver, lungs, or spleen.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most severe symptoms usually occur in children aged 5 years and under.
Cat scratch fever does not usually need emergency care, but sometimes it does. A person should contact their doctor immediately if they experience the following symptoms:
a cat bite or scratch that is not healing or is getting worse
the red area around a bite or scratch is enlarging
a high fever that lasts more than 2 days after the bite or scratch
severe pain
Diagnosis
Cat scratch fever can be difficult to diagnose because a number of other conditions have the same symptoms. The physician will ask about the individual’s medical history and whether they have had any interactions with a cat.
The doctor will then examine the scratched area and look for any swollen lymph nodes.
This is usually sufficient for a diagnosis, but sometimes they may suggest further tests to make sure the person does not have another condition.
The doctor might take some blood and send it to the lab to find out what kind of bacteria are present. One blood test can test specifically for cat scratch fever.
Treatment
Most cases of cat scratch fever are mild, and a doctor will not always prescribe treatment. If symptoms are moderate to severe, they may prescribe an antibiotic.
At-home treatments for the condition include bed rest if needed, and an over-the-counter pain reliever if the lymph nodes are painful or especially tender.
Children can mostly continue with their usual activities, but they should avoid hitting or interfering with the affected lymph nodes.
If a person has had cat scratch fever once, they are unlikely to have it again.
Prevention
Cats can transmit cat scratch fever to people, but people do not usually pass it to each other. If one family member is affected, others should practice caution around a family cat, as the cat could infect them also.
An episode of cat scratch fever does not mean a family should necessarily get rid of their pet. However, to prevent cat scratch fever, people should:
only adopt a cat that is more than 1 year old if a family member has poor immunity, as kittens are most likely to have the disease
avoid rough play around a cat or kitten
never allow a cat to lick wounds or open areas of skin
avoid petting stray or feral cats
wash hands and any other affected areas after playing with a cat
Fleas pass the infection from one cat to another.
To prevent a flea infestation:
vacuum the home frequently
use flea prevention, such as medication, to protect the cat from flea bites
contact a pest control company if a lot of fleas appear in a home
Checking for signs in a cat
The CDC estimate that around 40 percent of cats carry the B. henselae bacteria at some point in their lives. Most of the time, they do not show signs of illness.
Symptoms
Cats get the infection when they scratch and bite at fleas that infect them or fight with cats that are carriers.
If a cat has fleas or visible scratches, a person may wish to practice caution when handling their cat. Once a cat has the cat scratch fever infection, it can carry the bacteria for several months. During this time, it can pass on the infection.
Cats with the bacteria often have no symptoms, but they may have a fever that lasts for 48–72 hours.
In rare cases, cat scratch disease can cause severe symptoms in cats.
These include:
fever
vomiting
low appetite
lethargy
swollen lymph nodes
red eyes
inflammation in the mouth
The infection can remain for several months in the cat, and symptoms may reappear at times of stress, for example, after trauma or surgery or alongside another illness.
Diagnosis and treatment
A vet can inspect a cat for fleas and make recommendations about flea prevention and avoiding scratches and bites.
A test is available for the bacteria, but doctors do not usually recommend it for cats that have no symptoms. The bacteria are widespread, and the test can be unreliable.
Cats do not usually need antibiotics unless they have noticeable symptoms.
Prevention in cats
Taking steps to reduce fleas in a cat can reduce the likelihood of cat scratch fever. People can care for their cats by doing the following:
applying or administering a vet-approved flea treatment regularly
keeping a cat indoors to avoid contact with stray or infected animals
keeping a cat’s nails trimmed and neat
scheduling and maintaining regular checkups with a vet
There is currently no vaccine against cat scratch fever bacteria.
Products to protect a cat from fleas are available for purchase online.
Other conditions cats can spread
Apart from cat scratch fever, a cat can carry other diseases.
These include:
Campylobacteriosis: Bacteria cause an intestinal infection.
Cryptosporidiosis: A parasite causes diarrhea and abdominal cramping.
Plague: Although rare in America, this can occur if a person takes their cat to another country.
Rabies: Cats should have regular vaccinations to prevent rabies infection.
Ringworm: Kittens are especially likely to carry this fungal infection. It causes bald patches on the skin.
Tapeworm: Most common in children, this infection occurs when a person ingests a flea from a cat that has tapeworm larvae.
Toxocara infection: This condition does not always cause symptoms, but it can give rise to severe complications, such as blindness.
Toxoplasmosis: It is crucial to avoid this during pregnancy. Complications include growth and eye problems in the unborn child and pregnancy loss.
Woman and pussy: the unique tandem of cats and women has always attracted attention and generated many different theories about their relationship with each other. Although cats have always been distinguished by their independence and dissimilarity to other living beings, their similarities with women and their special relationship with them require a special discussion.
Pure Beauty
The main common feature that a woman and a cat have is the desire of both beauty and conquest of the world. Such a tradition originated in the depths of centuries, and even in ancient times cats were always depicted next to the most beautiful women, and any beauty was automatically compared in her grace and grace to representatives of the cat family. And, of course, cats and women always got along very well. For example, in Turkey, statuettes were found dating back to the 6th millennium BC, which depicts women playing with cats. And even then, each mistress of the house reserved for her pet the most privileged place in the house.
This is not surprising, because a woman and a cat have one more thing in common – independence, bordering on affection. It was the gentleness of a woman who always attracted a cat to her side, and thanks to this, the feline race was closely intertwined with the human one, and the cat began not only to decorate the house with itself but also to protect it from various dangers. Soon, in almost every country, special rules and laws appeared that require respectful and reverent treatment of cats:
in Britain there was a code of laws determining the value of a cat and prescribing punishment for cruelty to it;
in America, a cat immediately became an object of exchange trade, as well as the patroness of many houses, which she saved from epidemics and other disasters;
in Paraguay, at the legislative level, it has been established that every cat is worth a pound of gold;
in Ancient Russia in the 14th-century laws existed that penalized cat larceny and imposed huge fines on thieves.
And in each of the situations, the behavior of cats was not important: animals were considered sacred even when they showed their difficult character, and it was women who played a significant role in recognizing their sacred value.
Unattainable ideal
In addition, from time immemorial, women and cats have in common many common features – both appearance and character:
resourcefulness and intelligence inherent in both
quick reaction and agility,
excellent plastic
undeniable external beauty
some detachment.
Thanks to this, women gave their hearts to cats many centuries ago. And today this tradition continues, because it is in the graceful representatives of feline women that they see a real ideal, which is often unattainable for themselves.
A cat for women is a living embodiment of beauty, and the independent behavior of cats is an example to follow. This is not surprising, because:
cats do not have problems with being overweight,
cats do not need fur coats – their silky and delicate fur is admired by every one;
cats do not need to fawn in front of people to be stroked – it only allows you to do this if she liked the person;
the cat is always beautiful, no matter what she does;
the cat does not need to take care of its kittens all its life and even think about who it is pregnant from;
the cat is patient and ready to faithfully listen to all the sorrows of its owners, without giving them any stupid advice,
the behavior of cats can be anything, but no one can be angry for a graceful and touching animal for a long time.
And, of course, there are some comic “differences” between women and cats, which men often like to talk about:
the cat is fluffy throughout the body, and not just on the head,
for beauty, the cat doesn’t need makeup,
the cat remains graceful in any situation,
the cat eats less
the cat can purr beautifully,
the cat is easy to keep on your lap
if her owner gets sick, the cat will just sleep next to him, without disturbing him,
the cat will never whimper and complain
the cat is always clean and takes care of itself,
the cat will not be offended by you if you are tired and you are not up to it,
a good word will always please a cat,
the cat doesn’t need new outfits,
Getting a cat in the house is always very easy!
However, even in spite of these small “differences”, it is the woman and the cat who always get along best with each other. And even if the owner of the animal is just the man, his pet can easily neglect it, and all attention will be paid to his chosen one!
Of course, if you want your cat to feel healthy every time you should give him anthelmintic drugs and you can find a lot of different cat supplies HERE.
to a household can be quite stressful, to all concerned.
Indeed, it can be easier to introduce a dog to a cat than a cat to a cat. This is because a cat won’t view a dog as competition for resources – it might have to get used to its excited behaviour and learn to stand up to it to avoid being chased, but this usually happens very quickly and much more easily than we imagine. The cat-cat thing is much more difficult.
It’s usually easier to introduce a new kitten than an adult cat – this tends to be less challenging for the resident cat. Kitten body language and movements are less threatening and they have yet to adopt the concept of territory and competing with others.
A little bit of extra effort at the beginning can make the difference between a good or bad relationship in the future.
Plan ahead
Your existing cat (or cats) will have established territory and the introduction of another, albeit a little kitten, is not necessarily going to be well received. It’s important to ensure that the resident cat is not given the impression that it is under siege. When choosing your new kitten, have your cat’s personality in mind. For example, don’t acquire a very confident and outgoing kitten if your existing cat is timid or shy.
Arrange to collect your kitten on a day when you know you will have plenty of time to devote to settling it in, for example, a couple of days over a weekend or during a time when you are not at work and the household is relatively peaceful. Some planning is necessary to prepare the home for the new arrival and the introduction process so, before the kitten arrives, purchase or hire a kitten pen (or large dog ‘crate’ of similar construction) and position it in a room that your existing cat doesn’t particularly favour, for example, a spare bedroom. A kitten pen is a large metal cage with a solid floor that is normally used for kittening queens or cats after surgery that need to be confined. It is quite large with plenty of room for a bed, toys, food, water and a litter tray. They are easily collapsible to enable the pen to be moved from room to room.
Think cat!
Domestic cats eat pet food on the floor from bowls
Think cat once your new kitten arrives and think scent first. Your home will have a scent ‘profile’ which is familiar and reassuring to your resident cat. It will consist of all those things that go on there, the dogs, the children, the hobby equipment, the cleaning materials, the food you like and so on, all mixed in with your cat’s own scent. All the corners of your furniture will have been wiped by your cat’s chin and face, the doorposts have been brushed by its coat and the carpet will often bear the marks of claw sharpening and the scent from its paws. Your home is well and truly possessed by your cat.
What you have to try to do is work in the scent of the new kitten so that it, too, is incorporated into the accepted household aroma. This comes down, initially, to you. You have to try to spread and mix the scents of the cats. You’re working with the invisible, but have faith that there’s actually something there! Stroking your cat and the kitten regularly and swapping bedding will enable the kitten’s smell to become familiar and incorporated into the communal, household scent.
The first meeting
The door to the kitten’s room should remain closed initially, allowing the kitten to exercise within that space when your other cat is not around. The kitten’s food, water, toys and bed can be positioned outside the pen but the litter tray should remain within it. When the initial contact between kitten and cat takes place it may be helpful to distract the kitten with food.
The door to the room can be opened while the kitten is eating in the cage (with the cage door shut). It may be helpful, to allow the kitten to feel secure, if there is a covered box within the cage so that the kitten can hide from any unwanted attention as your other cat explores. If you wish, a small bowl of your cat’s favourite food can be located a comfortable distance away to encourage eating in safety (bearing in mind that cats are solitary feeders) without being deterred by the sight of the kitten. Your cat should be allowed to explore the cage without intervention.
It is important to provide attention to the existing cat during this transitional period but not to exceed the amount normally accepted and enjoyed. Existing routines should be maintained to demonstrate that the kitten represents no loss of resources or enjoyment.
Once kitten and cat appear calm when in close proximity to each other (with the kitten inside and the resident cat outside the cage), the pen can be moved to other rooms (of increasing importance to the resident cat), leaving out those particularly favoured areas where the adult cat spends the majority of its time. Depending on progress, several weeks of this regime may be needed before opening the cage and letting the cats get to know each other, some introductions can take considerably less time and the kitten accepted fairly quickly. When the cage door is left open and the kitten is allowed to mix freely the contact between adult and kitten should still be closely supervised. It may be advisable to separate the kitten and adult cat when supervision is not possible, at least until their relationship is firmly established.
Both kitten and adult, in the long-term, should be provided with their own resources (bed, litter tray, food bowls, water bowls etc) positioned in separate locations and their own private areas where they can rest undisturbed by the other.
Having a cat can mean different things to different people. Some want a cat to cuddle and sit on their laps; others are happy to live with a very independent cat which spends most of its time outside and doesn’t want too much human interaction.
What is important is that you try to find a cat that will interact with you if you want it to. All cats are not the same and how each individual cat behaves with you can depend on its inherent personality and early experiences (or lack of experiences), which can make it fearful or confident with people and life in general.
The environment in which you keep a cat is also extremely significant – for example if it lives with many other cats which do not get on, then it will be stressed and will react differently than if it was on its own.
While there is no guaranteed way to choose the perfect cat for you and your lifestyle, understanding your expectations as well as what makes cats tick will help you to bring home a cat that should be able to cope with its new environment and be the pet that you want too.
To care for a cat you will need to:
Provide plenty of human companionship
Provide regular, suitable meals with a constant supply of fresh water
Provide a clean and comfortable bed
Provide the cat with outdoor access or be prepared to empty and clean a litter tray on a daily basis
Provide it with a stimulating and safe environment
Groom it regularly. Longhaired cats require daily grooming
Have it neutered between 4 and 6 months old
Vaccinate against the major feline diseases regularly
Worm regularly and provide treatment for fleas
Take the cat to the vet when it shows any sign of illness
Insure your cat or make sure you can afford the cost of any veterinary treatment it may need
How much care and attention does a cat need?
As pets go, cats are relatively low maintenance compared to dogs which need companionship, walking, training etc. However, like any pet, they do need care, and some cats need more care than others. Do you want to spend a lot of time with your cat, do you want it to be demanding, or do you have limited time? Cats can fit into busy, modern lifestyles more easily than dogs, as they are pretty independent, can be left alone much more easily and are more suitable for smaller flats or houses. Cats are often chosen by people who have busy and stressful lifestyles and who want some companionship when they go home to relax.
What do you want from your relationship with a cat? If you’re the kind of person who really needs to have a close relationship with your cat and to be able to handle it and have it interact with you, then you’ll be disappointed if you take on a nervous cat that hides every time you come into the room. You may want to think about one of the pedigree breeds which can be more interactive and perhaps more needy of human company than some moggies. This may however become a problem for the cat if you are out at work all day and only available to give attention on evenings or weekends.
Some cats need to know exactly what’s going to happen when, in order to feel relaxed. Such cats would be quite happy living with an old lady who rarely has visitors and leads a very quiet life, but would probably find it quite stressful living in a home full of kids and other animals with lots of visitors and activity. Other cats, however, might thrive on different interactions with lots of people and fit in perfectly well in a busy household.
If you’re not likely to have the time or inclination to groom a cat on a daily basis, don’t even think of getting a Persian or a cat with a long coat. In pedigree jargon, any cat with a longer coat, aside from a Persian, is called semi-longhaired because the coat is not as full as the Persian’s and does not have such a thick undercoat; however, it is still long and requires grooming. In addition, if you are extremely house-proud, you may not want lots of hair everywhere.
A shorthaired cat is a much easier option, as most cats are fanatical about their coats and keep them in immaculate condition. That’s not to say that they don’t leave hairs around – bear this in mind if you’re thinking of getting a white cat but have dark furniture, or vice versa. Likewise, a cat is quite likely to sharpen its claws indoors, often on the stair carpet, sometimes on the furniture or even on the wallpaper. Whether your cat does this can depend on the cat itself and also the environment you provide for it; however there are things you can do to try and deal with this, but it is best to acknowledge from the outset that your cat is an animal with free will and natural behaviour that may not suit someone who needs to have an immaculate house.
Can I keep a cat on vegetarian food?
Are you a vegetarian and want your cat to be one too? If you want a vegetarian pet that won’t challenge your beliefs, then it would be better to get a rabbit – a cat is a carnivore first and foremost, and looks and behaves as it does for just this reason. A cat is what is called an obligate carnivore – it has an absolute need for some of the nutrients found in meat and all of its senses of smell and taste are atuned to being a carnivore – it would be unfair and very dangerous to health to even attempt keeping it as a vegetarian.
Is there a type of cat which doesn’t hunt?
You may have a great aversion to your cat hunting outside. Perhaps you are a bird lover, or are simply unable to deal with small carcases on the floor. Hunting is normal behaviour for cats. Keeping a cat indoors may prevent it actually killing anything, but it will still need an outlet for this, its most instinctive behaviour, and not all cats will be happy with an indoor lifestyle. Likewise, if you’re simply getting a cat to keep vermin at bay, you won’t want to find yourself with one which isn’t especially interested in huntin’, shootin’ and fishin’ and prefers being a couch potato! Older cats are likely to hunt much less than younger ones and some cats don’t bother at all, but there is no easy way to know how a cat will behave.
Can I keep a cat indoors?
If you think about the lifestyle of a cat which has access outdoors you will realise that being outdoors brings a huge variety to its life and allows it to use all of its hunting behaviours if it wants to. Of course, there are risks outside for cats, but you need to balance these with the very positive aspects of physical and mental stimulation and an outlet for natural behaviour.
Can I have a cat with a baby or young children?
There is no reason not to have a cat or kitten if you have children. It is up to parents to teach their children from the very beginning how to approach, stroke and handle cats and to treat them kindly. Many children have fantastic relationships with their cats and learn about respecting other creatures and being gentle – it is done successfully all the time, but it is up to parents to lay down the rules. Perhaps taking on a new kitten when you have a new baby or a toddler might be a lot to handle at once, so ensuring you have time for all the parties is part of a successful relationship. Likewise, if you are pregnant there is no need to get rid of the cat. Simple and basic hygiene precautions and common sense management of the cat, while the baby is small, can ensure all cohabit happily and safely.
Should I get an adult cat or a kitten?
A kitten gives you the opportunity to take on an animal right from the beginning and treat it and care for it so that it gets the best start in life. You will also be able to get some idea of its character. However, kittens require a lot of attention and some forethought to prevent them from getting into trouble. If you leave them alone you have to make sure they will be safe while you are away. You may also have to organise neutering, initial vaccinations and so on, depending on where you get your kitten from.
While kittens have a huge ‘cute’ factor, it is worth remembering that they don’t stay kittens for very long – just six months out of a potential 14 years or more.
With adult cats, it is at least clear if they are long or short haired. You should be able to get a good idea of a cat’s personality, although if it is being kept in less than ideal circumstances and is stressed or frightened it may act very differently compared to when it is relaxed. A confident adult cat is likely to move in and settle down quite quickly; a nervous one may take more time. It will be much easier to leave an older cat alone in the knowledge that it is not going to get itself into trouble, and it will generally be much less hard work and worry than a kitten. An adult cat will probably already be neutered and vaccinated.
What sex of cat should I get?
The sex of a kitten doesn’t really matter, as long as you neuter your kitten before it reaches puberty (at about four months of age) when the influence of sex hormones kick in. Un-neutered cats may exhibit unwelcome reproductive behaviours. For example, un-neutered male cats will mark their territory with strong smelling urine while un-neutered female cats can come into season every two weeks if they do not become pregnant.
If you are getting just one cat or kitten, it doesn’t matter which sex you choose. Equally, if you want two kittens and you are getting two from the same litter, the sex of either cat is probably not important. However, if you have a resident cat and are getting just one kitten or another cat, it may be worth considering going for one of the opposite sex to try and remove some of the competition factor. A kitten may be a better option than another adult cat in such cases as the young cat’s immaturity seems to remove this competition factor – for a while anyway during which time you hope they will get to like each other! Neutering also removes the need for so much competition and makes the choice of sex much less important.
Should I choose a specific breed or moggie?
The majority of cats kept as pets are what we call moggies or domestic short or long haired cats – that is they are a random mixture of lots of different cats, we have often have little idea about their parentage (well the father anyway). This means we have no control over the colour, body shape, coat length or anything else that the kittens can inherit from their parents. So, for example, if your kitten is from a moggie mum but its father is unknown, it may develop a longer coat than you desire if the father was indeed longhaired.
There is more to choosing a pedigree cat than just liking a certain coat colour or length – there are ethical considerations with some breeds if you really want to consider the cat’s welfare. There are also health issues which you need to check with the breeder and things you need to ask. Good breeders aim to breed healthy, people-friendly cats and avoid (or seek to deal with) inherited disorders which arise.
What breed of cat should I choose?
There are many different breeds, some of which will require extra care and attention, for example if they have a very long coat or even no coat at all. Some pedigree cats are more people orientated and may not like to be left alone for long periods. If you are out all day at work it may be worth getting two kittens together for company – do your research about the breed you are interested in. Always make sure that health comes first, no matter what the ‘look’.
Can I have a cat if I have a dog?
If you have other pets there should not be a problem in getting a cat, but you just need to make sure that you take everything into consideration. If you have a dog you just need to make sure that you make introductions carefully so that your new cat is not chased or injured while the dog gets used to it. Not all dog types make good companions for cats.
How many cats can I have together?
It’s very easy to ‘collect’ cats – they’re addictively beautiful, they’re small and they’re quite easy to care for. Even if they don’t get on, they tend to remove themselves from the situation rather than fight. However, there may be a great deal of tension between cats which owners just don’t pick up on. Cats originate from a largely solitary species and although they can live in groups these are usually related individuals or are self-selected so that cats are not sharing space with cats that they don’t get on with. Cats may start to spray or soil in the house because they’re trying to deal with a situation where they feel under stress because of other cats, and this might be all that owners notice.
If you have two cats living together very successfully then think very carefully before you add more. If you have three cats living well together then thank your stars and quit while you’re ahead! The trouble with adding more is that it might not be just the relationship between the resident cats and the new one that causes problems; it may upset the whole equilibrium of the resident cats’ relationship and introduce difficulties even between the original cats as tension and stress levels rise. Any new cat needs careful introduction.
The best way to have two compatible cats is to choose siblings. These will have grown up together, and this usually bodes well for a good future relationship (although never guaranteed!).
What does it cost to keep a cat?
If you are buying a pedigree cat then there will be associated costs and these may be quite large. Pedigree kittens usually come vaccinated and in some cases already neutered. If you are getting a cat from a rescue organisation then they may ask for a donation or a fee and again it will probably come already neutered and vaccinated. Kittens or cats from friends or neighbours don’t usually come neutered or vaccinated, wormed, treated for fleas or anything else and it will be up to you to register with a vet and get these things done. Neutering is obviously a one-off cost, but several vaccinations will be required to make sure that a kitten is protected from infectious diseases; thereafter a regular booster vaccination will help to protect it during its life (requirements depend on the cat’s lifestyle and risks associated with that – your vet can advise you). Then there is food, preventive health care regarding treatment for fleas and ticks and worms, cat litter if you want or need an indoor litter tray, beds and grooming equipment if you take on a longhaired cat. Microchipping is also recommended in case your cat goes missing. We recommend that you also insure your cat so that if an accident or illness happens then you do not have to worry about the costs. Choose your insurance carefully to make sure you get what you expect or need.
I am allergic to cats – is there any breed which is better than others?
Many people think it’s a cat’s hair that causes us to react to them by sneezing, wheezing or itching. In fact it’s a protein or allergen called Fd1, present in feline saliva, which causes the allergy. Because cats groom themselves regularly they have saliva all over their coat. This dries on the coat and when the cat scratches, moves or brushes past objects the dust or dander and the hairs which contain the allergen are spread about. Cat-lovers who really want to have a cat but are allergic sometimes think that by choosing a breed with less, little or no coat they can avoid the problem. However, as it is saliva that causes the problem, this is unlikely to help, and although longhaired cats do seem to cause more allergic reactions that’s probably only because, having more hair, they’re also covered with more allergen.
It’s worth trying out different cats by visiting friends with cats to see if they elicit less of an allergic reaction. Unfortunately it’s a very difficult problem to get around for people who react or who have family members who are allergic.
What should I do with my cat when I go on holiday?
If you go away on holiday you also need to consider who is going to look after your cat. If you are only away for a day or two you can ask a neighbour to pop in and feed it and check it is OK. If you are away for more than this you may want to consider a boarding cattery, as many cats may wander looking for company. If you have a nervous cat it may hide when the feeder comes and he or she may not be able to be sure that everything is all right. A good boarding cattery will keep your cat safe and you can relax while you are away. There are bad boarding catteries however.
When should I get a new cat?
If you are considering getting a new cat or kitten, choose a time when it is quiet in your house (not in the middle of a family celebration etc) and perhaps when you have a day or two when you can help it to settle in and be there while it finds its way around, not just before you go on holiday etc.
Where do I get a cat from and how do I choose it?
Once you have thought about the responsibilities and costs of keeping a cat and what type you want, then consider where you are going to get it and how you are going to choose your cat or kitten.
The unique tandem of cats and women has always attracted attention and generated many different theories about their relationship with each other. Although cats have always been distinguished by their independence and dissimilarity to other living beings, their similarities with women and their special relationship with them require a special discussion.
Pure Beauty
The main common feature that a woman and a cat have is the desire of both beauty and conquest of the world. Such a tradition originated in the depths of centuries, and even in ancient times cats were always depicted next to the most beautiful women, and any beauty was automatically compared in her grace and grace to representatives of the cat family. And, of course, cats and women always got along very well. For example, in Turkey, statuettes were found dating back to the 6th millennium BC, which depicts women playing with cats. And even then, each mistress of the house reserved for her pet the most privileged place in the house.
This is not surprising, because a woman and a cat have one more thing in common – independence, bordering on affection. It was the gentleness of a woman who always attracted a cat to her side, and thanks to this, the feline race was closely intertwined with the human one, and the cat began not only to decorate the house with itself but also to protect it from various dangers. Soon, in almost every country, special rules and laws appeared that require respectful and reverent treatment of cats:
in Britain there was a code of laws determining the value of a cat and prescribing punishment for cruelty to it;
in America, a cat immediately became an object of exchange trade, as well as the patroness of many houses, which she saved from epidemics and other disasters;
in Paraguay, at the legislative level, it has been established that every cat is worth a pound of gold;
in Ancient Russia in the 14th-century laws existed that penalized cat larceny and imposed huge fines on thieves.
And in each of the situations, the behavior of cats was not important: animals were considered sacred even when they showed their difficult character, and it was women who played a significant role in recognizing their sacred value.
Unattainable ideal
In addition, from time immemorial, women and cats have in common many common features – both appearance and character:
resourcefulness and intelligence inherent in both
quick reaction and agility,
excellent plastic
undeniable external beauty
some detachment.
Thanks to this, women gave their hearts to cats many centuries ago. And today this tradition continues, because it is in the graceful representatives of feline women that they see a real ideal, which is often unattainable for themselves.
A cat for women is a living embodiment of beauty, and the independent behavior of cats is an example to follow. This is not surprising, because:
cats do not have problems with being overweight,
cats do not need fur coats – their silky and delicate fur is admired by everyone;
cats do not need to fawn in front of people to be stroked – it only allows you to do this if she liked the person;
the cat is always beautiful, no matter what she does;
the cat does not need to take care of its kittens all its life and even think about who it is pregnant from;
the cat is patient and ready to faithfully listen to all the sorrows of its owners, without giving them any stupid advice,
the behavior of cats can be anything, but no one can be angry for a graceful and touching animal for a long time.
And, of course, there are some comic “differences” between women and cats, which men often like to talk about:
the cat is fluffy throughout the body, and not just on the head,
for beauty, the cat doesn’t need makeup,
the cat remains graceful in any situation,
the cat eats less
the cat can purr beautifully,
the cat is easy to keep on your lap
if her owner gets sick, the cat will just sleep next to him, without disturbing him,
the cat will never whimper and complain
the cat is always clean and takes care of itself,
the cat will not be offended by you if you are tired and you are not up to it,
a good word will always please a cat,
the cat doesn’t need new outfits,
Getting a cat in the house is always very easy!
However, even in spite of these small “differences”, it is the woman and the cat who always get along best with each other. And even if the owner of the animal is just the man, his pet can easily neglect it, and all attention will be paid to his chosen one!
Also, if you want your lovely cat always be happy and healthy, you should give to your cat antihelminth treatment like Helmintazole with the active ingredient Fenbendazole (펜 벤다 졸). If you need Fenbendazole for worm treatment you can always buy it at Homelabvet.com.
