Well, for one thing, many people have their cats declawed due to the fact that the animal is ruining their furniture (this is the number one reason). While I agree that a scratched up sofa is not a good thing, many people do not take the time to train their kitten or cat and turn to declawing as a quick, easy fix. If you are thinking about adding a kitten to your family, you should think long and hard about how you feel about declawing BEFORE hand. If you are obsessed with your furniture, hate the idea of hair everywhere, and don’t have the time to train your cat or kitten properly…then you should think twice before adding ANY pet to your family (I take that back, fish would probably be ok).

What does declawing a cat entail?

Many people feel that declawing is cruel and unnatural. If you take a moment to really think about what declawing entails…you might begin to feel the same way. In order for your kitten or cat to be declawed they must undergo SURGERY. Any type of surgery that involves being “put under” has its risks. There is NO health benefit associated with declawing. The act is done solely for the convenience of the owner. Some experts believe that declawing can also lead to severe behavior problems such as aggression issues. Other risks include infection, permanent sensitivity, hemorrhage and altered feeling in the toes. In order for a veterinarian to declaw a kitten, they must REMOVE the last joint in each toe on the front feet. Did you get that…REMOVE THE JOINT!!! Declawing is not a simple operation in which the claw is pulled out…the vet must CUT OFF the joint. If a human could be declawed…the process would entail cutting off the tips of the fingers (at the first knuckle). THINK ABOUT THAT!!!

Why is declawing a cat bad?

While declawing is not illegal in the United States, some states are looking into the possibility of making the act a crime. Animal rescue groups and animal lovers stand behind this idea. When I rescued my Calico cat, Claire, I had to sign a contract saying that I WOULD NOT declaw her. I had no problem signing the document as I just can’t get past the fact that the process entails CUTTING OFF the tips of a cat’s toes. OUCH! It is also important to note that a declawed cat SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED to go outside under any circumstance! Cat’s that do not have their claws can no longer defend themselves! They cannot climb trees (in order to get away from dogs) and if confronted they have only their teeth to defend themselves. A declawed cat should be an INDOOR ONLY ANIMAL!!!

Additional concerns about declawing cats are purely psychological but no less important. A cat’s claws are as important to it as your fingers are to you. When you declaw a cat, you aren’t just removing its nails. Declawing removes the tool cats use to grasp; when climbing, running, reaching and any number of activities a cat might engage in. Think of it in human terms… how would you feel if all your fingers and both your thumbs were cut off? The physical ramifications are pretty obvious but consider the blow to your sense of self, your ego, your confidence at suddenly being unable to do all the things you are used to doing and all the things you are instinctively driven to do. Unlike you, your kitten can’t turn to a support group, prosthetics or ask somebody for help. It is left to cope with its loss as best it can and that can be a real challenge.

I firmly believe that cats can be trained. More specifically, training a cat to use a scratching post (and other scratching toys) is certainly possible! Cats are smart animals and if consistently trained with love, patience and care…you can turn their destructive behavior around. In my next post I will dive deeper into the world of scratching and the many items that are available to eliminate scratching problems and hopefully, eliminate the need for declawing! Knowledge is power…the more you learn…the easier it is to care for your kitten! Meow!

As you probably know, newborn kittens are small, fragile animals. The first two weeks of life present the greatest risk to newborns, therefore, it is very important that you keep a close eye on your new arrivals during this time. So why do the first two weeks present such risk? Well, during this time, any disease that a kitten may have acquired while in utero will begin to take its toll. Birth injuries (during labor) can also present several problems. Other issues such as lack of warmth and proper nutrition are sure to cause BIG problems (not to mention the possibility of death). If the mother cat was not properly cared for while pregnant and did not receive the proper nutrition, there is a great possibility that her kittens will not receive the proper nutrition they need. Kittens need adequate calories and nutrients (including taurine) in order to get a good start in life.

What can cause fading kitten syndrome?
When kittens are developmentally delayed (due to the problems mentioned above) they begin life at a great disadvantage and are at risk of developing fading kitten syndrome. Things such as low birth weight and lack of muscle mass can begin to cause problems almost immediately. Kittens with such problems may not be able to breathe properly, nurse correctly (which will cause further nutrient deficiencies), or be able to maintain their body temperature (which is EXTREMELY important!). When these types of problems are present…your kitten will soon be in big trouble as their bodies will soon become chilled and their temperature and heart rate will soon begin to drop. Soon, their crawling ability will be lost. When this happens, the kitten will simply lie on its side. After a while, the kitten will begin to have circulation problems which will eventually affect the brain. If this happens, you can expect spasms, muscle tremors and eventually coma. If a fading kitten reaches this point…there is nothing you can do as the condition is irreversible.

If your kittens were born to a healthy, well cared for Queen (another word for cat mom), then most likely, they received everything they needed while in utero (including proper nutrition) in order to have a healthy start in life.  Kittens are at a greater risk of developing problems within the first two weeks of life if they were born to a mother who has never received any medical care (especially vaccinations). Other conditions the mother cat may have that can be harmful to her babies include toxoplasmosis, feline leukemia or feline infectious peritonitis. These conditions can be transferred to the kittens while they are in utero.

All kittens need care! If your kittens were born to a healthy, well-cared for queen, then most likely, they will have few problems. However, it is important to note that even if the mother cat is healthy, it is still very important to keep an eye on them, especially during the first two weeks of life. Kitten’s that develop fading kitten syndrome due to nutritional deficiencies will most likely need to be raised by hand in order to survive. If one of your kittens appears ill, is not moving very much, or does not seem to be eating, taking it to the vet as soon as possible (sooner rather than later!). The veterinarian will be able to diagnose the problem and provide you with the appropriate treatment plan. If you believe that the mother cat is malnourished or having other problems, it would be a good idea to take her to the vet as well. Good luck! Here’s to happy and HEALTHY kittens!

There are several foods that you should avoid giving to your cat or kitten all together. You may be surprised at some of the items on the list. Knowledge is power! The more you know about caring for your kitten or cat, the better!

Foods to Avoid Feeding your Kitten

Tuna - I am guilty of giving my cat tuna now and again. I had no idea that tuna was a no-no! Not only is tuna bad for adult felines, it is bad for kittens as well. Though the occasional tuna treat will not physically harm your cat it will turn your furry friend into an addict….a TUNA ADDICT! Cats that are fed tuna on a regular basis will, in fact, refuse to eat their regular diet of cat food (you don’t want to turn your puss into a finicky feline…do you?). Not only is this bad for you (tuna is EXPENSIVE!) it is bad for your kitty as well. Tuna that can be purchased at the grocery store is made for HUMANS! It does not have the nutrients that your cat or kitten needs in order to remain happy and healthy. A spoonful of tuna every blue moon is OK, however, tuna is not meant to replace food that is specifically made for cats and kittens.

Milk - Again, I am guilty! I had no idea that milk is NOT good for kittens or cats. Once a kitten is weaned they lose their ability to digest milk products properly. Milk can wreak havoc not only on a kitten’s system but an adult cat’s system as well. So unless you enjoy cleaning diarrhea out of your cat’s litter box on a daily basis, it is best to by-pass milk or milk based products all together! You can buy “cat milk” at your local pet supply store or on-line, however, I must warn you…it is EXPENSIVE!

Grapes and Raisins - Grapes and raisins should be avoided at all cost! Though yummy, both of these items can cause kidney failure if ingested by your cat or kitten! Don’t risk your kitten’s health…don’t even let him play with grapes or raisins (many cats and kittens like to roll them around and chase them). Keep both of these items out of your kitten’s reach at all times.

Dog Food - Ok, this one should be obvious. After all cats are not dogs (duh!). Kittens and cats are meat-eaters and, therefore, need plenty of protein in their diet! Dogs on the other hand are omnivores and often enjoy a few vegetables thrown in with their meat. Simply put, dog food does not provide the nutrients (protein and taurine) that cats and kittens need in order to be healthy.

Bones - Just as dogs enjoy chewing on a good bone cats do too (especially chicken bones!). However, no matter how much they beg (yes, cats do beg) do NOT give bones to your furry feline. Cooked bones can break and splinter as your cat eats them. If this happens, your cat may develop a blockage or worse, have their bowels or intestines punctured. Both of these situations would require medical attention IMMEDIATELY!! Play it safe and avoid bones all together.

Onions and Onion Powder - The next time you give your kitten a sub sandwich, avoid the onions! All joking aside, onions and onion powder are NOT good for your cat! If ingested by your feline, onions can cause hemolytic anemia which ruptures the red blood cells which in turn can lead to kidney failure. No onions (or food with onions mixed in) for kitty!

Stick to a diet that is especially made for kittens or cats and caring for your feline will be simple as pie (no, your kitten cannot have pie). If you are unsure about the best foods for kittens, do not hesitate to talk to your veterinarian. Your vet can give you advice and recommendations as to what food is best (he or she may even have food available for sale in their office).  Treats are not bad for your cat….as long as they are given in moderation and not used to replace your cat’s daily diet. Here’s to happy, healthy, well-fed kittens!