Yellow Kitty's Cat Info

Plants That Are Toxic For Cats

Holiday and Seasonal Decorative Plants

• Amaryllis spp.
• Celastrus spp. “Bittersweet”
• Chrysanthemum spp.
• Colchicum autumnale “Autumn Crocus”
• Euonymus japonicus “Japanese Euonymus”
• Euphorbia milii “Crown of Thorns”
• E. pulcherrima “Poinsettia”
• Helleborus niger “Christmas Rose”
• Ilex spp. “Holly”
• Phoradendron spp. “American Mistletoe”
• Solanum pseudocapsicum “Jerusalem Cherry”

Common House Plants

• Alocasia spp. “Caladiums”
• Azalea spp. “Weeping Fig” “Creeping Fig” “Mistletoe Fig” “Rubber Plant”
• Dieffenbachia spp. “Dumb Cane”
• Hydrangea spp.
• Hedera helix spp. (many indoor ivies)
• Ligustrum spp. “Japonicum’texanum’”
• Narcissus spp. “Paperwhites” and other winter forced bulbs
• Nicotiana spp. “Ornamental Tobacco”
• Philodendron spp.
• Rhododendron Ficus spp. “Weeping Fig” “Creeping Fig” “Mistletoe Fig” “Rubber Plant”

Common Outdoor Plants

• Abrus precatorius “Rosary Pea”
• Actea spp. “Baneberry”
• Allium spp. Onions, Chives, other related plants
• Ampelopsis quinquefolia “Boston Ivy”
• Atropa belladonna “Deadly Nightshade”
• Aconitum spp. “Monkshood”
• Aesculus hippocastanum “Horse Chestnut”
• Arisaema triphyllum “Jack-in-the-Pulpit”
• Bulb Flowers “Star of Bethlehem” “Tulip” “Hyacinth” “Iris”
• Buxus spp. “Boxwood”
• Cestrum nocturnum “Night-blooming Jasmine”
• Clematis viginiana
• Conium maculatum “Poison Hemlock”
• Convallaria majalis “Lily of the Valley”
• Cyclamen spp.
• Daphne mezereum “Daphne”
• Datura spp. “Jimson Weed” “Thorn Apple”
• Delphinium “Larkspur”
• Descurainia pinnata “Tansy Mustard”
• Digitalis purpurea “Foxglove”
• Dicentra cucullaria “Dutchman’s Breeches”
• D. spectabilis “Bleeding Heart”
• Ipomoea purpurea “Morning Glory”
• Hydrangea spp.
• Kalmia latifolia “Mountain Laurel”
• Laburnum spp. “Locoweed”
• Lantana camara “Lantana”
• Lathyrus spp. “Sweetpea”
• Ligustrum vulgare “Privet”
• Lily spp.
• Lobelia spp. “Indian Tobacco”
• Lupinus spp. “Lupine” “Bluebonnet”
• Lycopersicon esculentum “Tomato”(only the vine is toxic)
• Melia azedarach “Chinaberry”
• Mushrooms (all outdoor varieties have potential of being toxic)
• Narcissus spp.
• Nerium Oleander “Oleander”
• Papaver spp. “Poppy”
• Parthenocissus quinquefolia “Virginia Creeper”
• Physalis spp. “Ground Cherries”
• Phytolacca americana “Pokeberry”
• Prunus spp. “Wild Cherry” “Wild Peach” “Wild Apricot” “Chokeberry” “Almond” “Black Cherry”
• Ranunculus spp. “Buttercup”
• Rheum rhaponticium “Rhubarb”(only the leaves are toxic)
• Ricinus communis “Castor Bean”
• Robinia pseudoacaria “Black Locust”
• Sambucus spp. “Elderberry”
• Sanguinaria canadensis “Bloodroot”
• Solanum spp. “Deadly Nightshades”(including potato vines, green spots, and tubers)
• Taxus spp. “Yews”(especially the berries)
• Triglochin maritimun “Arrowgrass”
• Toxicodendron “Poison Oak” “Poison Ivy”
• Urtica spp. “Stinging Nettle”
• Veratum viride “False Hellebore”
• Wisteria spp.

Symptoms of Plant Poisoning

1. continual vomiting
2. diarrhea
3. refusal of food
4. pale gums or tongue
5. swollen tongue
6. abdominal pain
7. convulsions

What To Do

Fill out your cat's current age and click the button below to see your cat's age in human years. Years: Months: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

~ Breeding Cats ~

 

This page gives advice and a few guidelines for those of you wishing to breed pedigree cats. I cover the facts, planning a litter and pregnancy and pre-natal care here. What often starts as just one litter often ends up as a lifetime passion or hobby. The Facts It is important to note that breeding any type of pedigree cat is a commitment that should not be taken lightly. Breeding and showing cats can be very rewarding, but it can also be very time consuming and expensive. Breeding from your cat is an important decision that must be given careful consideration. Before starting a breeding program, it is important to become familiar with the relevant pedigree breed. Visiting cat shows and meeting other breeders is one way to start. Cat shows are a perfect place to meet other breeders and form valuable contacts for the future. It is also a place to see and assess your own cats against others of the same breed. Breeders learn from the comparison of their own cats with others and gain valuable insights into the potential strengths and weaknesses of various lines and are thus able to make informed decisions when attempting to improve their own lines. By breeding pedigree cats, you are making a commitment to care for the welfare of every cat you breed and sell. Reputable breeders will be concerned where their cats are placed and continue to show an interest in the welfare of their kittens after they have gone to their new homes. Planning a Litter You should only breed from top quality cats. Breeders are continuously striving to improve the breeds and by breeding from the best cats, they are able to meet the breed standard and improve their future litters. Before visiting a breeder for a breeding queen, always check that they have suitable breeding quality kittens for you to view. A female cat is mature from about six months and a male cat from about ten months. A female cat comes into heat in two-week cycles for two to four days. It is not advisable to breed a queen before she is at least one year old. If you are planning to breed from your pedigree queen, you will need to find a suitable stud cat. A relevant breed club can supply you with a list of reputable breeders. You can also meet breeders at cat shows. Pregnancy and Pre-Natal Care A queen's pregnancy can be confirmed at around three to four weeks. She will become noticeably fatter after six weeks of pregnancy. The average length of pregnancy is 65 days or about nine weeks from the date of the mating. A pregnant queen should be fed a nourishing well-balanced diet. The number of meals can be gradually increased from about the fifth week of pregnancy. Always consult your vet is you are in any doubt about anything concerning your cat. In the later stages of pregnancy, provide your queen with a warm and comfortable place to give birth. During the last week of pregnancy, keep a watchful eye on your queen and make sure she is accustomed to the kittening box. Most cats do not need any help with kittening. A mother cat knows instinctively what to do. Make sure your vet is available when the kittens are due just in case.

Cat Breeds Info

 

~ History of the Domestic Cat ~

 

Cats have always been a source of fascination for mankind throughout history. Today cats have become one of the world's most popular pets perfectly suited to the lifestyle of our day. They are beautiful, enigmatic and easy-to-care for pets. But where and when did the domestic cat originate? This page will give you some insight into this question. It has been about 4000 years since the first cats were domesticated. The Ancient Egyptians were the first to keep and use cats to control vermin and other pests to protect stores of food. In Ancient Egypt, the cat was revered as a hunter and worshiped as gods and goddesses. The ancient Egyptians imposed the death penalty for killing cats and cats were also mummified before being buried. Other ancient civilisations later began to domesticate the cat and took tame felines to Italy where they slowly spread around Europe. Eventually, they arrived in the New World with the Pilgrims. The shorthaired domestic cat spread across the world from Egypt while longhaired cats came later from Turkey and Iran. The domestic cat also spread from India to China and Japan. Except for a short period of persecution in the Middle Ages when cats were associated with the devil, by the eighteenth century cats had become popular household pets world wide. The wild cats of today such as Lions and Tigers descended from early carnivores called miacids. From there the modern wild cat developed into three main types; the European wild cat, the African wild cat and the Asiatic desert cat. The domestic cat is thought to have evolved from the African wild cat because of its tabby markings. Domestic cats today still take many characteristics from their wild ancestors. The arresting eyes, body shape, feeding and grooming habits are the same along with the ability to pounce into action at any given moment. It is this link that makes the domestic cat so fascinating around the world. The non-pedigree domestic cat, the Moggie is the most popular house pet today with the black and white Moggie being the most popular followed by the black cat followed by the Tabby cat. There are also 36 recognised breeds of pedigree cats around the world with the Siamese cat being the most popular. Most homes today that keep pets have at least one cat in residence.

~ Feline Care ~

 

Cats contribute so much to our own lives that you will want your cat to live a long and happy life. The benefits of feline companionship bring with them obligations to ensure that your cat receives the care and attention it needs. A cat is not a demanding pet to keep, however cats need adequate feeding, regular grooming and proper veterinary care throughout it's life. This page is all about feline care and what any cat owner should know about keeping their cat healthy. The sections covered are basic care and nutrition. Please also note that this page is only a summary of feline care. Cats also need a loving owner who is willing to devote time, love and attention to their cat.   Basic Care Before you bring your new cat home, it is essential that you prepare for the new arrival. A cat must be provided with a litter tray, separate food and water bowls, a comfortable basket or bed, a carrier, and a comb or brush. It is also a good idea to provide toys as a cat will bond quickly with you through quality time spend playing with your cat. If you wish, you can also provide your cat with other useful items such as a scratching post or cat flap. If you are allowing your cat outdoors, it is also very important to provide your cat with a collar and name tag. Start training your cat at an early age to wear the collar by putting it on for a short period of time each day until the cat is used to wearing it. A collar must have an elasticated section so a cat can slip out of it should it get caught. The name tag should contain the cat's name and your address and telephone number. An identity microchip can also be injected under the skin of your cat's neck. This is the best way of tracing your cat should it get lost. Consult your vet for advice. One of the biggest responsibilities of caring for your cat involves taking it to the vet for regular check-ups, vaccinations and boosters. Choose a reputable vet in your neighbourhood and register your cat with the vet as soon as you bring it home. If your cat becomes unwell, never try to treat the cat yourself at home. Seek veterinary advice early to avoid your cat's condition worsing by delayed treatments. Unless you are planning on breeding from your cat, responsible cat owners must have their pets neutered at the appropriate age. This is ideally carried out when the kitten is six months old. The procedures for both male and female cats are routine and usually without complications. Feline Nutrition Cats require certain dietary needs and animal derived nutrients in it's diet. They are not vegetarians and are unable to live long on a completely meat-free diet. A well-fed cat is active and alert with bright eyes and glossy coat. Feed your cat prepared foods only from a reputable manufacturer at room temperature. Do not feed your cat food intended for a dog or another animal. Try to fed your cat at the same time of day and in the same place to establish a routine. A fresh bowl of water and dry cat food from a reputable manufacturer to graze on should be available at all times. Food bowls and feeding utensils should be kept clean at all times. Your cat should be fed two or three small meals a day. Kittens require extra feeding. The meals should be fresh and disposed of when the cat is finished. Your cat can also be served a treat of fresh food a couple of times a week. Cats love fresh fish and chicken. Make sure you carefully remove any small bones from fish and chicken before serving. Watch your cat's weight and do not let your cat overeat. Felines like humans suffer health consequences from being over weight such as heart problems, arthritis and shorter life expectancy. An average adult cat should weight between 9 to 11lbs varying according to the type of breed. Male cats tend to be heavier in general. If your cat is over weight consult your vet first to make sure your cat is not over weight due to a hormonal problem. Once this has been ruled out, your vet can advise you on a feline weight loss plan. It is also important to consult your vet if your cat refuses food for more than 24 hours.

~ New Kittens ~

 

With today's modern veterinary medicine, you can expect to share your life with your cat for sixteen years or more so it is crucial that you choose a kitten that will grow up to be a healthy and happy adult. Owning a cat or two has also been proven to be good for our health. This page will give you some guidelines and advice from choosing your kitten to bringing it home to settle in. Always remember that owning a cat is a lifetime responsibility not to be taken lightly. Choosing your Kitten The first thing to consider when choosing your kitten is if you are looking for a family companion or a cat that you intend to show or breed in future. If you are looking for a family pet, then the most important consideration will be temperament and health. If you are looking for a cat to show or breed let the breeder know this when you first enquire to be sure they have suitable kittens for you to view. A breeding or show cat should meet the breed standard showing no obvious faults. When choosing your kitten, you should also take into consideration the type of home it comes from and it's mother's state of health. Do not buy a kitten from a breeder that will not let you see the mother cat. In pedigree cats, the mother cat should also be a true representative of the breed. A healthy kitten will have bright and shiny eyes, glossy coat, clean bottom and an alert demeanour. Ears should also be clean, nose cool and damp without any nasal discharge with pale pink mouth and gums. Feeding Guidelines Kittens like adult cats require wholesome, high-protein food and a constant supply of water. Food is served more frequently with kittens than with adult cats. Food and water bowls should be kept clean at all times. Below I've listed some general feeding guidelines for your new kitten sorted by age. Age 3-5 Months: 5 to 4 meals daily Age 6-8 Months: 3 to 4 meals daily Age 9-12 Months: 3 meals daily   Kittens should be feed tinned or fresh food as part of a balanced diet with quality kitten dry cat food from a reputable manufacturer left down at all times to graze on. Your reward for feeding your kitten a well-balanced diet is a healthy beautiful adult cat.   Toileting Pedigree kittens are fully litter trained from a very early age. With any kitten irrespective of breed to avoid accidents it is absolutely vital that for the early days and weeks in a new home, the kitten is aware at all times where the litter tray is. In a new environment, the kitten may not be able to find the litter tray alone especially with a home with two or more floors and several rooms. It is important that the kitten is restricted to one area for the first few weeks and only allowed into other areas of your home under supervision. Once your kitten has been allowed to roam freely, always keep a watchful eye and keep taking your new kitten back to it's litter tray at regular intervals. If you are living in a very large house on multiple floors, it is advisable to have a litter tray on every floor. When your new kitten first arrives home, it is also advisable to use the same cat litter as your breeder while your kitten settles in. Later you can gradually change this to a brand of your choice. The litter tray should also be kept clean at all times. Changing all or some of the litter tray contents daily is recommended to avoid accidents. Cats will quickly find an alternative site to use as a toilet if the tray is not cleaned daily.     Settling In On arrival home with your new kitten, place the kitten while still in the carrier in a suitable warm room where the kitten can be safely kept for a few days. Let the kitten come out to explore in it's own time. Make sure there is a litter tray in the room and that the kitten knows exactly where it is. The kitten's room should also have a bowl of food and water kept a suitable distance from the litter tray. Cats are reluctant to use a litter tray that is too close to the cat's food. Let your new kitten come to you in it's own time. Getting to know your Kitten It can take days or even weeks to establish a relationship with a kitten so please be patient. Kittens need time to bond with you and before long your new kitten will become your best friend. For the first few weeks, your kitten shouldn't be allowed to roam your home unsupervised when you are not there. You should put your kitten back in their own room with their litter tray, food and water. Make sure your new kitten also has a comfortable bed or basket to sleep in with some toys to play with. It may be worth considering obtaining two kittens from your breeder especially if you will be out of the home for most of the day. This way they will always have a constant playmate and two cats can exercise each other far more effectively than you can. Please remember that your new kitten should be kept indoors at all times and shouldn't be allowed outdoors until they are old enough to cope with outdoor life.

Cat Facts ~

 

Here are some cat facts and snippets I've collected over the years that you'll find interesting and enjoyable. This page will be updated with new feline facts from time to time so please do come back again soon!     Did You Know? It has been scientifically proven that owning cats is good for our health and can decrease the occurrence of high blood pressure and other illnesses. Stroking a cat can help to relieve stress, and the feel of a purring cat on your lap conveys a strong sense of security and comfort. The ancient Egyptians were the first civilisation to realise the cat's potential as a vermin hunter and tamed cats to protect the corn supplies on which their lives depended. Sir Isaac Newton is not only credited with the laws of gravity but is also credited with inventing the cat flap. A cat has more bones than a human being; humans have 206 and the cat has 230 bones. A cat's hearing is much more sensitive than humans and dogs. The cat's tail is used to maintain balance. Cats see six times better in the dark and at night than humans. Cats eat grass to aid their digestion and to help them get rid of any fur in their stomachs. A healthy cat has a temperature between 38 and 39 degrees Celcius. Cats have the largest eyes of any mammal. The female cat reaches sexual maturity at around 6 to 10 months and the male cat between 9 and 12 months. A female cat will be pregnant for approximately 9 weeks or between 62 and 65 days from conception to delivery. The average litter of kittens is between 2 - 6 kittens. Ailurophile is the word cat lovers are officially called. Purring does not always indicate that a cat is happy. Cats will also purr loudly when they are distressed or in pain. All cats need taurine in their diet to avoid blindness. Cats must also have fat in their diet as they are unable to produce it on their own. In households in the UK and USA, there are more cats kept as pets than dogs. At least 35% of households with cats have 2 or more cats. When a cats rubs up against you, the cat is marking you with it's scent claiming ownership. About 37% of American homes today have at least 1 cat. Milk can give some cats diarrhea. The average lifespan of an outdoor-only cat is about 3 to 5 years while an indoor-only cat can live 16 years or much longer. On average, a cat will sleep for 16 hours a day. A domestic cat can run at speeds of 30 mph. The life expectancy of cats has nearly doubled over the last fifty years. Blue-eyed, white cats are often prone to deafness. The cat's front paw has 5 toes and the back paws have 4. Cats born with 6 or 7 front toes and extra back toes are called polydactl. An adult cat has 30 teeth, 16 on the top and 14 on the bottom. There are approximately 60,000 hairs per square inch on the back of a cat and about 120,000 per square inch on its underside. Cats and kittens should be acquired in pairs whenever possible as cat families interact best in pairs. In multi-cat households, cats of the opposite sex usually get along better. The first official cat show in the UK was organised at Crystal Palace in 1871.

Spaying/Neutering

Aside from the fact that spaying and neutering decreases the number of pets who end up in shelters, it is also very beneficial for their health. If a kitten is spayed before she comes into season, she has an extremely good chance of not getting breast cancer, and no chance of uterine cancer since it is removed.
Kittens spayed and neutered between eight and ten weeks of age also recuperate much faster. They are usually back into mischief in about an hour or two. The older cat takes a few days and is prone to more discomfort.