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Ag. Ed. Net. com SMALL ANIMAL SCIENCE SA 105 Cat Breeds, Housing and Equipment This presentation was produced and is copyrighted by Stewart-Peterson® Inc. 2003 -2005. Permission is granted for use by active Ag. Ed. Net. com® subscribers. All other use is prohibited. STEWART-PETERSON and AGEDNET. COM are registered trademarks of Stewart-Peterson Inc.

Classification of domestic cats. . . Ø Felis catus – in the family Felidae Ø Carnivorous Ø Erect ears Ø Large eyes with vertical-slit pupils Ø Retractable claws Ø 28 -30 teeth Ø 5 toes on front feet, Ø 4 toes on hind feet Photo © 2005 Nancy Crombie, used by permission.

Cats come in all shapes, sizes, colors. . . Ø Cat Fanciers' Association recognizes 37 breeds Ø Domestic cats thought to come from 3 sources: • African cat • African wildcat • European wildcat

More about breeds. . . Ø Domestic cat breeds can be divided into: • Longhaired • Shorthaired Ø Can also be divided into: • Natural and established breeds • Hybrids (crosses) • Mutations

Thinking about housing? Well consider these. . . Ø Cleanliness Ø Draft-free and warm Ø Comfort Ø Safety

Cats are low maintenance Ø They spend much of their time sleeping Ø Cleanliness is second nature Ø Ideal as household pet or in laboratory © 2002 Nancy Crombie, used by permission.

What you will need. . . Ø Bed/bedding Ø Litter/litter box Ø Food and water dishes Ø Kennel Ø Collar with ID tag Ø Scratching post Staff photo by Nancy Crombie.

More about the bed. . . Ø Simple box or commercial cat bed Ø Enclosed on three sides Ø Big enough for stretching Ø Towel or blanket for bedding • Should be disposable or replaceable Ø Clean Ø Warm and free of drafts • Best temp. between 68 and 74 F.

More about the litter box. . . Ø Large enough to turn around Ø Deep enough to prevent spills Ø Commercial litter or sand Ø Remove soiled litter promptly Ø Clean and disinfect at least weekly Staff photo by Nancy Crombie.

What about a scratching post? Ø Better a post than the furniture! Ø Can be made of: • • • Burlap Wood Carpet Sisal Upholstery Corrugated cardboard Staff photo by Nancy Crombie.

Other equipment. . . Ø ID tag if cat will be outdoors Ø Kennels available • Useful for traveling Staff photo/Kathy Muth

What about a mother cat? Ø Queens ready to deliver should receive special quarters: • • • Warm (75 -80 F) Draft-free Clean Spacious Line with newspaper or something disposable

What about kittens? Ø Better a little too warm than too cold • Chilled kittens more prone to illness • Takes energy to keep warm Microsoft photo

Ag. Ed. Net. com SMALL ANIMAL SCIENCE www. agednet. com 800 -236 -7862 This presentation was produced and is copyrighted by Stewart-Peterson® Inc. 2003 -2005. Permission is granted for use by active Ag. Ed. Net. com® subscribers. All other use is prohibited. STEWART-PETERSON and AGEDNET. COM are registered trademarks of Stewart-Peterson Inc.