 |
| |
Cats | Dogs
Cats
Where can I find a good cat for our family? Many loving cats are available for adoption through the humane society and local rescue organizations. Please contact one of the following shelters for more information:
BayPath Humane Society Hopkinton 508-435-6938
Buddy Dog Humane Society Sudbury 978-443-6990
Framingham Animal Control Framingham 508-620-4870
MetroWest Humane Society Ashland 508-875-3776
Metheun ASPCA 978-687-9483
Save A Dog 508-877-1407
Penny's Shelter Berlin 978-838-2328 pennysshelter@aol.com
Pet World Natick 508-653-9221
House Rabbits 781-665-9962
This is a partial list of local humane societies and organizations who provide animals for adoption. There are many more in Massachusetts but space does not allow it to be printed in it's entirety. More shelters can be viewed at www.petfinders.com.
What should I feed my cat? Cats should be fed a high quality, commercially available diet. Kittens and nursing mothers should be fed a high quality kitten formula. Do not feed your cat "people food". Be sure to monitor your cat's diet. Obesity is a common problem in pet cats and can lead to serious health problems.
How often should I change my cat's water? Fresh, clean water should be available at all times. Bowls should be cleaned daily with warm water and soap and rinsed thoroughly.
How frequently should I groom my cat? Cats can be washed up to twice a month using a mild, hypo-allergenic shampoo. Be cautious - many cats react negatively to bathing. Be careful not to over-shampoo your cat. This can strip the natural oils in the cat's coat, causing irritation to the skin. Flea shampoos can cause problems for many cats and should be used with caution. Kittens over 8 weeks old can be bathed with mild shampoos which are specifically labeled for use on kittens. Also, brushing to remove excessive hair and prevent matting should be done on a regular basis. Large mats are painful and can lead to many serious skin problems.
Is it OK to give my cat toys? Keep your cat happy by supplying plenty of toys.
How frequently should my cat receive vaccinations? Currently, vaccines are given every year to adult cats. These recommendations are under scrutiny and may change in the future. Kittens require a series of vaccines based on their age and previous vaccine history. Once the series is completed, all cats receive appropriate vaccines as recommended by their veterinarian.
What are the FAH recommendations regarding spaying and neutering? To prevent unwanted pregnancies, local humane societies are spaying and neutering as early as 8 weeks of age. However, the general recommendation is to spay or neuter a kitten between 6 to 8 months of age. Cats do not have regular heat cycles. Instead, female cats will ovulate whenever they are exposed to the hormones of an un-neutered male cat. Females are pregnant for approximately two months and can become pregnant again IMMEDIATELY after giving birth. In addition, un-spayed female cats are at a greater risk of developing breast cancer than spayed cats. Un-neutered male cats are significantly more likely to develop urine spraying and marking problems.
|
|
|
|
|
