Top 9 Mistakes by New Cat Owners

Adopting kitty is a huge step, so before you rush to purchase, research the needs of your new family member; you'll be rewarded in a very rich companionship.

While we know that cats are low maintenance, this doesn't mean that they're completely without needs. Here are some of the issues you'll want to address when considering Fluffy for adoption:

• Adopting in Haste
• Failure to Spay or Neuter a New Cat
• Neglecting Needed Veterinary Treatment
• False Economy in Cat Food Choices
• Declawing Without All the Facts
• Allowing a Cat to Roam Free Outdoors
• Neglecting Litter Box Maintenance
• Considering a Cat Property
• Not Allowing a Cat to Be a Cat

http://cats.about.com/od/newtocats/tp/topmistakes.htm

February is Litter Prevention Month

Celebrate Spay and Neuter month by spaying or neutering at least one dog or cat. You'll save potentially thousands of lives. 3-4 million cats and dogs are euthanized each year due to a chronic problem in this country: pet overpopulation.

This tragic predicament could be easily avoided if each pet owner spayed or neutered their pet. It'’s safe, affordable and improves pet health. Yet many pet owners say they simply have not bothered to do it yet!

In addition to decreased populationn, there are several benefits to the cat to whom is being spayed or neutered.

Neutered Male Cat Benefits are:

• Neutered cats are less likely to spray strong urine
• Neutered cats will lose the urge to fight
• Neutered cats will be less likely to try to escape
• Neutered cats will not suffer the abscesses from fighting
• Neutered cats will be less likely to contract diseases such as FeLV and FIV
• Neutered cats will not be subject to testicular cancer
• Neutered cats will not likely develop "stud tail," caused by overactive glands in the tail
• Neutered cats have a decreased risk of mammary cancer

Spayed Female Cat Benefits:

• Decreased Risk of Mammary Cancer
  Ideally, to give a female cat protection against mammary cancer, she should be spayed prior to her first heat. Each subsequent heat brings a greater chance of mammary cancer at a later time.
• Eliminates Risk of Ovarian or Uterine Cancer
  Spaying a cat involves the removal of the uterus and ovaries. No organs: no cancer; simple as that.
• Eliminates Chances of Pyometritis
  Pyometra is a virulent bacteria that attacks the uterus of cats, usually a week or so after estrus, and is a potentially fatal infection.

Please take the time to call your vet right now to do your part in the prevention of unwanted babies. Kittens & puppies are cute, but for many people, the cutess ceases when people lose interest.

Get Oprah to Help!
Meanwhile, you can also sign a petition to get the marketing highness, Oprah, to advocate for spaying and neutering.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/328724678?ltl=1139838335