Resources for New Kitten Owners

Set out on a voyage of discovery.

By Wendy Christensen

As the proud owner of a new kitten, you probably have plenty of questions. Even if you've raised kittens before, advances in veterinary medicine and feline nutrition make it a good idea to check out the latest and greatest up-to-date information. Whatever your kitten questions and concerns, we'll help you steer right to the best information out there, in print and in cyberspace.

Health Professionals

Your veterinarian is the most important partner you have in assuring your new kitten's optimal health. Even if it has already had its first vaccinations and juvenile spay or neuter surgery, it's wise to set up a "get acquainted" visit. Be sure to bring along any health records you obtained from the breeder or shelter (vaccinations; any health treatments such as medication for ear mites, worms or fleas; surgery reports). A thorough check-up will insure your veterinarian knows your kitten inside and out.

Did you purchase your kitten from a breeder? Their expertise and experience, as well as their special love for your kitten (who they'll always think of as their "baby") can be invaluable to you as you get to know your kitten and its special needs — especially breed-specific ones like grooming requirements and breed-related health concerns. You can find out how your little one got along with siblings, what kind of food it was weaned on and which brand of cat box filler it's used to.

Take a moment to write down this number and post it by your telephone: 1-888-4ANI-HELP (1-888-426-4435) is the hotline into the ASPCA's National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC). Staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by experienced veterinary toxicologists with instant access to a huge database of animal-specific poison information, this is the resource to call upon when seconds count. You pay with any major credit card ($45 per case; follow-ups included.) Or, call 1-900-680-0000, which will be billed at $45 per case as well.

The NAPCC also maintains a fact-filled web site at http://www.napcc.aspca.org. Here, you'll find lots of information on how to prevent animal poisoning and what to do if you suspect your kitten has been poisoned, as well as complete information on how to access the NAPCC hotlines. You'll find out about common household toxins and learn what hazards to watch out for in your own kitchen, bathroom, garage, garden and yard. There's also lots of important information on poisonous plants, foods, medications, household chemicals and insecticides.

The Internet

Has your kitten already chosen the nice warm top of your computer monitor as her favorite snoozing spot? Cats and kittens all over the world are already old paws at surfing the Web — and not just because of their special talents with a mouse. Among the first Web sites to appear in the brave new world of cyberspace featured felines: cat pictures, jokes, tributes, care information and breed clubs.

The cat presence on the Web has continued to grow exponentially. From sites devoted to individual cats to sites filled with a wealth of the latest veterinary research — if it has to do with cats, it's on the Web!

Cat Fancy Web Site
http://www.catfancy.com/
If you like CAT FANCY magazine, you'll love the Web site. There are lots of links to other cats on the Web; a calendar of shows and upcoming events; classifieds, where you can locate a breeder or shelter; discussion boards, catty essays and poetry contributed by readers; and a feline shopping mall, where you can find all sorts of items to make you and your kitten's life easier and more fun. You'll also find details on how you can subscribe to the magazine — or purchase a gift subscription for a friend or relative.

Feline Health Links
http://www.netcat.org/links.html
This is a treasure-trove of links to feline health information on the Web — everything from Allergies to Zoonoses — any every conceivable topic in between, from the common to the arcane. Bookmark this one!

VetQuest (part of VIN - the Veterinary Information Network)
http://www.vin.com/vetquest/index0.html
Haven't found a veterinarian yet? Try this Web site, where you can search for over 25,000 Veterinary Hospitals and Clinics in the U.S., Canada and Europe. You'll be able to find a veterinarian who has online access to the latest health care information, as well as lots of veterinary specialists and consultants.

The Pet Care Forum (part of VIN - the Veterinary Information Network)
http://www.vin.com/PetCare/
Find articles, care information, message boards and opportunities for shopping and chatting with other kitten owners at this well-designed site.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP)
http://www.aafponline.org/
The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) is a professional organization of veterinarians who are especially interested in feline health and care. For kitten owners, the best feature of this site is a membership list, where you can search for members of the AAFP and for cat-only veterinarians, in your area.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
http://www.avma.org
This site offers a wealth of reliable, up-to-date information on animal health. Search easily for general feline health; illness and disease; pet loss support; selecting the right pet for you; buying a kitten; shelter cats; selecting the right veterinarian; animal safety; how many cats is too many?; health and safety rules for families with pets; poison control, first aid; safety tips for kids; traveling with your pet; careers in veterinary medicine — and much, much more.

American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
http://www.healthypet.com/
The AAHA is an organization of more than 17,000 veterinary care providers. At its pet-owner-friendly site, there's an animal hospital finder, helpful tips on choosing a veterinarian, dozens of easy-to-understand articles on nutrition; behavior; common health problems and care tips; preventive care; and special sections with activities for children. You can order a range of books — including pet care books especially for children. This site covers all pets, not just cats and kittens. It's a great site to introduce middle-school-age kids to responsible pet care information.

The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA)
http://www.cfainc.org/
CFA is the world's largest registry of pedigreed cats. Its Web site is uncommonly beautiful, well-designed, easy to navigate and super-informative. In addition to loads of gorgeous photos of pedigreed cats, you'll find information on cat shows, breeds and care, and a showcase of winning cats. Keep up with the latest news about the CFA and learn all about the history of this distinguished organization.

Cat Fanciers
http://www.fanciers.com/
This site is one of the oldest feline destinations in cyber space. There are cat breed descriptions; a well-stocked online feline bookstore; pointers to the latest in veterinary medicine and research; lists of cat shows, cat clubs and registries; and lots of information on breed rescue groups, shelters and feline welfare efforts. The breeder referral list can help guide you to a reputable breeder willing to answer your cat-breed questions. (Find it at http://www.breedlist.com/breed.html) There are lots of links to other feline-related sites, too.

SIRLOU's Cat Site
http://www.best.com/~sirlou/cat_contents.html
Whatever your question, you'll likely find an answer here. Want to know how to choose the right kitten for you? Need a feline evolution chart? Have a question on feline genetics, history or your kitten's wild relatives? There are sections devoted to cat poetry and haiku; tributes to feline friends; breed descriptions; feline nutrition and even an audio file of a cat's purr! And there's also an extensive list of links to other interesting feline sites on the Web.

Name That Kitten!

• http://www.uq.net.au/~zzbushy/cats/catlist.htm
This Australian site lists dozens of names popular for cats in the land down under. How about Beeker, Cheeta or Colleen? There are lots of unusual choices here, from Agape to Zamboni. Read about why some Aussie cat owners chose the names they did.

• http://www.autobahn.mb.ca/~dcarrier/cat_names.html
This site lists names alphabetically. Choose from hundreds of male, female or "neutral" names (for those hard-to-figure-out kittens).

• http://www.kittynames.com/
Discover the "top 20" cat names, in both the U.S. and Australia. At this site, you can explore the meanings and traditions associated with various kitten names you're considering. Use the "cat name search" engine to find a name for a music-loving female kitten (Aida or Calypso, maybe), or a male who's shown a particular interest in your book collection (Dartagnan? Aristotle? Koko?) The site has lots of other cool features, too.

• http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/6485/name.html
Choose from hundreds of intriguing names, in alphabetic groups introduced by clever, cat-shaped letters of the alphabet.

Fun for Cyber-Kittens

The Cat's Meow
http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Haven/1175/
"This site best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer and a kitty on your lap." Play the "Cat Trivial Pursuit" game. Enjoy lots of cute photos, including the featured cat of the month. There's a message board, real-life cat stories, tips on cat health and care, a screen saver you can download, a gallery where you can put a photo of your kitten, a lost cat finder and lots, lots more. It also offers thought-provoking material, informing visitors about serious cat-related problems such as the horrors of declawing, animal abuse and overpopulation. Find out about animal rights and cat-related causes, both in the U.S. and around the world.

The Wired Kitten
http://www.cyberpet.com/
"Everything for the wired kitten." There's lots of great information here, if your kitten (and you) can ignore the silly music and cartoony cat characters. There are message boards, online chat opportunities, articles on cat care (especially natural and holistic cat care), a breeder's showcase, and links to products, publications, rescue organizations and breed clubs. The article on kitten-proofing your home is especially useful for new kitten owners.

The Society of Meditative Cats
http://www.catanna.com/society.htm
Trying to calm down your overactive kitten? Perhaps it can join the almost 800 cats who are already members of this society. Your kitten will learn about all the best spots in the house to retreat for a little quiet contemplation and relaxation. There are some charming photos of meditating cats, memorials to meditative cats who have passed on to another dimension and lots of links to other cat sites.

Cats are from Mars!
http://www.catsarefrommars.com/index.htm
Is your new kitten a little ... weird? This site may explain why!

The Cat's House
http://www.thecatshouse.com
Are you one of those kitten owners who will do anything for your kitten? Would you even remodel your whole house for its fun, convenience and pleasure? Bob Walker did, and this California photographer has the Web site (and two books, The Cats' House and Cats Into Everything) to prove it. Even if you're not willing to go as cat-wild as Walker, you'll still get plenty of ideas and inspiration for making your home more feline-friendly. At the site, you can order Walker's books (and even get them personally autographed), meet his famously spoiled cats and take a virtual tour of their domain. See the Catwalk, Spiral Stairs, a mouse-shaped porthole, Tom's Lookout and the Pyramid of the Sun. This is a fun, inspirational site.

MeowMail
http://www.meowmail.com/
You have e-mail — your kitten deserves MeowMail! At this fun, for-cats-only site, your kitten can read the latest feline gossip in The Daily Scoop and The Morning Hairball, find out what happened on this day in feline history, check its horoscope, play games, chat with other kittens, order cat toys and send electronic greeting cards to kitten mouse-pals. It's "the online community for today's well-wired cats and their human valets."

The CAT User's Manual
http://www.andreas.com/catman.html
Isn't your kitten "user-friendly and mouse-driven?" This classic feline humor article offers valuable insights into your kitten's mysterious, impenetrable and sometimes-maddening ways, comparing its nature and quirks to those of that other mysterious-but-necessary accouterment of modern life, the computer.

PawSense - CatProof Your Computer
http://www.bitboost.com/pawsense/index.html
Tired of the pitter-patter of kitten paws inserting unwanted comments in your computer documents? This clever software product detects and blocks cat typing (which it recognizes by certain characteristic patterns), and claims to help train your cat to stay off the computer keyboard -- even when you're not there. For about $20, it may be worth a shot.

White House Pets
http://www.msnbc.com/onair/msnbc/timeandagain/archive/whpets/whitehouse.asp
Want to emulate your favorite U.S. president? At this site, learn about presidential pets in history — including their names.

The Caregiver's Bookshelf

Even if you enjoy Web access, there's still nothing quite like settling into your comfy chair, cat on lap, cup of tea at hand and flipping through the latest beautifully illustrated cat care book. A thoughtfully assembled home cat care library is a resource you and your kitten can be proud of.

Every kitten owner should have at least one dependable reference on each of the following topics: first aid, basic anatomy and structure, care and behavior. Although your library can be a valuable source of materials, be wary of older books. Knowledge about such critical topics as vaccines, surgery, cancer treatments, diabetes, pediatric spay-neuter, and many others are constantly being updated and revised.

Always ask your veterinarian to clarify any confusion you might have about information you glean from reference books and be prepared to ask plenty of questions about any medical or behavior problems you experience with your kitten.

Kittens!: Why They Do What They Do (Bowtie Press, 2001)
By Penelope Milne, illustrations by Buck Jones
This fun, funny and informative look at the charms and conundrums of kittenhood might be called "Kittens 101." It's an especially good way to introduce the youngsters in your family to life with your kitten. Animal behaviorist Penelope Milne reveals what your kitten is really up to when it chews on your clothes, drools, purrs, jumps, plays and scratches. Buck Jones' clever cartoons will keep you laughing as you learn. Between chuckles, learn how to train your kitten and to correct budding misbehavior.

Before You Buy That Kitten: Is This the Right Kitten for You? (Barrons Educational Series, 1995)
By Phil Maggitti
With humor, wit and insight born of long experience, Maggitti guides prospective kitten owners through the questions they need to answer before bringing the perfect kitten home. He discusses differences among breeds; dispels some myths about "typical" breed personalities; provides tips on how and where to find the right kitten and offers lots of solid, practical information on feeding, caring for and communicating with your kitten.

Kitten Care and Training: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet (IDG Books Worldwide, 1996)
By Amy D. Shojai
This book will help you get the most out of that brief, magical time of kittenhood. Easy to read, with lots of helpful hints, tips and fascinating cat-facts, this book will help you become a better, more informed caregiver. Learn how to take care of your new kitten to insure its optimal health and well-being, train, forge and strengthen a deep, satisfying bond that will last a lifetime. There are sections on how your kitten is built and how it will grow and develop; proper feeding for young and growing kittens; solving common behavior problems before they get out of hand; the vital question of indoor vs. outdoor lifestyles and much more.

The Purina Encyclopedia of Cat Care: An Authoritative A-to-Z Guide, from Cat Care and Behavior to Breed Characteristics (Ballantine Books, 1998.)
Amy D. Shojai
A to Z — it's all here. Written for the general reader, Shojai's encyclopedia is authoritative and easy to read. She addresses common cat health problems, as well as typical symptoms of illness, and home and veterinary care guidelines. An extremely valuable feature is an Appendix called "Symptoms at a Glance: The Quick Reference Guide for Home Diagnosis." You'll feel better knowing you have this handy reference on your bookshelf.

Think Like a Cat: How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat--Not a Sour Puss (Penguin USA, 2000)
By Pam Johnson-Bennett
Pam Johnson-Bennett loves cats and it shines though in her writing. She's a nationally known feline behavior consultant who takes a refreshingly calm, practical approach to feline behavior modification, urging caregivers to see things from the cat's point of view. She often uses humor to clarify and defuse difficult feline behavior crises. She takes a positive, upbeat approach to understanding and solving the thorniest cat-human communication (and miscommunication!) dilemmas.

Check out other books by Johnson-Bennett: Psycho Kitty? (The Crossing Press, 1998), Hiss and Tell: True Stories from the Files of a Cat Shrink (The Crossing Press, 1996), Twisted Whiskers: Solving Your Cat's Behavior Problems (The Crossing Press, 1994), Cat Love: Understanding the Needs and Nature of your Cat (Storey Books, 1990).

CatSmart (Contemporary Books, 1998)
Myrna Milani, DVM
Milani, a veterinarian and animal behavior expert, is an empathetic, insightful and fond observer of feline nature who truly understands the human-cat relationship. Her perceptive and fascinating books will help you to deeply understand your kitten's essential nature, needs and wants, and guide you to becoming a more informed, satisfied caregiver. Milani is particularly helpful in explaining those seemingly inexplicable and often maddening feline behavior problems — and how to understand and solve them by decoding what it is your feline is really trying to communicate. And, she uses the latest scientific research to explore how strongly many feline behaviors and activities are direct and understandable responses to our own body language and behavior. Milani's other book is The Body Language and Emotions of Cats (Quill/William Morrow, 1987).

The Cornell Book of Cats, 2nd Edition (Villard Books, 1997)
By Mordecai Siegal and James Richards (editors) and the faculty and staff of Cornell Feline Health Center, Cornell University
This is a reference you'll find yourself turning to again and again. It's clear, well-organized and thoroughly indexed. Open it to any page to learn some new tidbit of information about that miraculous little creature you've taken into your life.

The New Natural Cat (Dutton Books, 1990)
By Frazier Anitra with Norma Eckroate
Successor to "The Natural Cat," Frazier's 1981 classic, this book is known as the "ultimate" in guides for the "I'll do anything for my cat" caregiver. Frazier is a strong proponent of holistic care and natural diets. She uses a light tone, but she's serious about encouraging caregivers to pay close attention to their felines' emotions, lifestyle and diet. She emphasizes how strongly stress can affect your kitten's health and well being.

First Aid for Cats: What to do when Emergencies Happen (Penguin, 1997)
By Bruce Fogle, DVM
Fogle's vital reference to feline first aid includes plenty of illustrations, charts and step-by-step diagrams. It's a reassuring, helpful, practical guide for those medical emergencies you hope never arise. How do you perform CPR on a cat? What causes swollen paws? Fogle answers these and many other questions about feline health emergencies. Take the time to read it carefully — before you ever need it. You'll gain new confidence in recognizing and evaluating health emergencies, and in handling them with poise, clear-headedness and competence.

Know Your Cat (Dorling Kindersley, 1991)
By Bruce Fogle, DVM
This wonderfully designed volume is a fine introduction to feline care, behavior and personality for feline novices and younger members of your family. Clear, fascinating descriptions of kittens and cats at all stages of life, and their characteristic behavior patterns, are copiously illustrated with gorgeous photographs of cats in everyday action: pouncing, eating, fighting, nursing, grooming, sleeping and leaping. You'll learn how to observe and interpret your kitten's most subtle behavioral messages — facial expressions, tail talk, posture, even sleep position. Fogle also teaches you how to train your kitten (it can be done!) and offers a "cat personality test" so you can evaluate what makes your particular feline companion tick — and how better to forge a strong, lasting bond with it.

Understanding Your Cat (St. Martin's Press, 1992)
Michael W. Fox, DVM.
Fox, a veterinarian, animal behaviorist and eloquent champion of the value of all animal life, takes you on a fascinating and enlightening tour of your kitten's mind and how it works. Fox is a writer who truly seems to appreciate and grasp how animals see the world. In addition to lots of practical answers on health, nutrition, behavior and safety, he introduces you to the world through feline eyes, exploring the psychological and emotional natures of cats in a sensitive and loving way. Lots of lovely photographs make this book a visual joy as well.

The Complete Cat Book (Howell Book House, 1991)
By Richard Gebhardt
This classic, authoritative introduction to cat breeds was written by a long-time cat show judge and will be especially useful if you've purchased your new kitten from a breeder or if plan on acquiring a pedigreed kitten. Gebhardt tells you about the various breeds, characteristics and personalities, and how to choose the right pedigreed cat for you, your family and your lifestyle.

Good Owners, Great Cats: A Guidebook for Humans and Their Feline Counterparts (Warner Books, 1995)
By Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson
Contents include sections on kittenhood, adulthood, understanding a cat, and solving feline behavior problems.

Wild Discovery Guide To Your Cat: Understanding and Caring for the Tiger Within (Discovery Books, 1999)
Foreword by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas
This book includes sections on the origins of the wild cat, feline behavior, how to choose a cat, cat care and cat breeds.

The Well Cat Book: The Comprehensive Handbook of Cat Care (Random House, Inc., 1993)
By Terri McGinnis, DVM
Dr. McGinnis's book contains on preventive medicine, anatomy and home medical care.

Kittens as a New Pet (T.F.H. Publications, Inc., 1996)
By Jerry G. Walls
Stamped with the ASPCA's seal of approval, this book is meant for the first-time kitten owner. The book discusses a variety of issues, from birth to feeding to treating parasites and vaccinations.

ASPCA: Complete Guide to Cats: Everything You Need to Know About Choosing and Caring for Your Pet (Chronicle Books, 1995)
By James R. Richards, DVM
This book includes information about a number of subjects including the best toys to buy for kittens and cats; socializing your kitten or cat; vaccination information for kittens; common feline health problems, and home health care for kitten and cats.

CAT FANCY magazine
Subscriptions: 12 issues, $25.97; 24 issues: $42. (In Canada, add $10.50/year for postage.) Subscription Service Department, Cat Fancy Magazine, P.O. Box 52864, Boulder, CO 80322-2864. 1-800-365-4421; fax 303-604-7455; or email fancy@neodata.com with CAT FANCY in subject line.
Every month, CAT FANCY, the premier publication dedicated to information and entertainment for the responsible caregiver, comes to your mailbox to educate, charm and touch you. You'll keep right up-to-date with the latest veterinary research, health information, plus reviews of new books and products to make your life, and your kitten's, easier, healthier and more fun.

CATS USA
Published annually by Fancy Publications, Inc.
Available at newsstands
This annual is so useful and beautiful that you'll want to acquire each issue for your permanent feline library. Packed with informative articles, gorgeous full-color cat photographs and all sorts of other useful and fascinating feline information, CATS USA is a yearly event you'll find yourself eagerly looking forward to.

Videos

Your Cat Wants a Massage!
$24.95; Call toll free 1-877-MEOW-MEOW to order.
http://www.catmassage.com
This delightful and informative 43-minute video is based on the book Cat Massage (Maryjean Ballner, St. Martin's Press, 1999). Ballner, who was learning massage for humans, wondered, "Why should people have all the fun and pleasure of massage? Cats deserve it too." This video will get you started on a lifetime of satisfying and soothing super-petting. Watch it with your kitten!

Ballner, and the obviously pampered Champion, demonstrate the variety of hand positions, motions, pressures, speeds and massage techniques you can use to keep your kitten happy, mellow and relaxed. "Pet a cat, make a friend for a day. When you massage your cat, you've made a friend for life," Ballner says. According to Ballner, cat massage is especially effective in soothing and calming scared or standoffish felines and is perfect for forging a bond with skittish shelter rescues or ex-feral kittens.

Video Catnip
$19.95 (plus $4 s/h, plus applicable taxes).

Call toll-free 1-800-268-1630 (in the US) or 1-800-268-9323 (in Canada) to order. Or, order from Dick Shapiro's Cats, P. O. Box 184, Don Mills, Ontario, M3C 2S2, Canada.
Give your kitten the thrill of the hunt safely indoors, while giving yourself some pure delight and enjoyment. This 25-minute video has proved its popularity with thousands of happy cats for over 10 years. Imagine your kitten's delight in the antics of fluttering birds, frolicking chipmunks and scampering squirrels, filmed close-up, with clear sound and vivid color, in natural settings. Many caregivers report that their cats happily watch this video over and over, never tiring of the nonstop entertainment.

National Geographic. Cats: Caressing the Tiger (1991)
(Available at video stores and on the Web, wherever videos are sold)
You already know your kitten is a wondrous miracle of nature — but do you know how truly similar she is to her wild relatives? Yes, your tiny feline is just a whisker away from her 800-pound cousin, the Bengal tiger — in anatomy, design, behavior, psychology, body language, and much more. In this superbly crafted one-hour video, you'll learn just how similar the familiar housecat is to the exotic cats of the Serengeti, jungle and desert. You'll see how studies of groups of barn and farmyard cats reveal group dynamics almost identical to those found in prides of mighty African lions.

The video examines, unflinchingly, the darker side of feline nature, as well as the more familiar, comforting and endearing aspects of our cats. It's revealing and awe-inspiring. Have you ever wondered why cats always land on their feet? Or about just how those mesmerizing, glowing feline eyes see the world? This video will tell you.

And finally, don't forget about that extremely valuable resource right underfoot. Yes, that fuzzy little charmer who's just poked your last pencil under the rug and is now stalking your toes. Your kitten has a lot to teach you! Take her tiny paw and let her show you the world through a kitten's innocent eyes — the pleasures of pouncing, the nuances of napping, the Zen of the tail-chase, and how to play as if your life depended on it. Enjoy your voyage of discovery — together.