Chapter 5: Cat care and a showing tip
Chapter 5: Cat care and a showing tip
Currently there are various discussions regarding the age for neutering kittens and some will argue with the ideas mooted here.
The British male especially usually reaches maturity at 5 - 6 years of age. The neutered males seldom develop quite the full masculine head and build if neutered too early. The author can cite the case of identical twins (males in the same embryonic sac and from the same placenta). One was kept entire and by 6 years is a full mature and good looking example of the breed; the other was neutered at seven months and although a very pleasing boy has never really gained the excellence of his twin. A third male form the same litter was neutered at one year and has developed almost as well as the entire male. Obviously there are situations where males need to be neutered young to avoid unwanted litters, etc., but if the boy is to be shown and he can be kept safely the ideal age is about 11-12 months.
For those who wish to show neutered kittens there is no problem. They are shown in the ordinary kitten classes, but should be correctly entered on a show entry form as FN (female neuter) or MN (male neuter).
Thinking of buying a kitten and seeking advice?
Many publications and the breeder's will advice an owner about cat care from kitten to old age. The following are merely reminders of the areas to be considered.
Any pedigree kitten sold with GCCF registration will be at least 13 - 14 weeks old and fully vaccinated, and the new owner will be supplied with at a minimum of a three generation pedigree, certificate of registration, vaccination certificate with the pedigree name, and preferably printed (written) as well as verbal instructions for kitten care and care of the growing young cat. Today most are sold with a 6 week insurance cover as well. The author would not be without insurance for all her animals.
(Pedigree cats not registered with the GCCF should also have such information as part of the contract between breeder and purchaser)
Care must include housing, feeding and drinking, litter/sanitary provision, thorough physical care and grooming tips. Exercise needs and toys also need consideration. There should ideally be some advice about behavior, although the kitten will be litter trained already.
The home should be kitten and cat safe as well as human safe. The cat needs to know where to find litter tray, food, etc. and will soon settle to a routine. Beware of dangling furnishings, electric cords, potentially harmful plants and keep the lavatory seat down if the cat has access to the bathroom area. Tragedies have been recorded of electrocuted animals from chewing wires and drowned kittens from open lavatories.
Also be wary of toys on elastic or extra long string as these have been known to cause of injury should the kitten become entangled. Ideally such toys are initially at least used as part of the owner and kitten playtime only.
General care covers, grooming, eye care, ear care, and dental care and where appropriate advice re traveling, etc. In addition there are the vaccinations and veterinarian checks to be advised at least annually, and regular worming. These will vary in frequency depending upon the product if choice.
One aspect often neglected by owners even of show cats is the claws: the normal cat needs to scratch to remove scales from the claws and in the home this may be affected with a scratching post to save the furniture. However the show cat needs clipped claws for the safety of judges and stewards. The diagram below illustrates the way to clip the claw.
The cat claw:--
A flesh
B quick
C transparent claw
D correct place to clip a cat claw
DO NOT cut into the quick
Information about breeding and keeping a stud cat is available from the GCCF and the British Shorthair Cat Club, among others.
The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF)
5 King's Castle Business Park
The Drove
Bridgwater
Somerset
TA6 4AG
Tel: 01278 427575
Email: info@gccfcats.org