Why Don't Cats Go Bald?: The Questions You've Always Wanted to Ask Your Vet - Softcover

Excerpt copyright Skip Sullivan MD and David Fisher

Chapter 1:

In Search of the Perfect Cat

MEOW!

“Some people have cats and go on to lead normal lives.”

—Anonymous

Are you a cat person? If you have a cat, you are by definition a cat person, whether you like it or not. If you're thinking about getting a cat, then you need to know if you could be a cat person. Try this little true or false quiz:

If you answered true to at least ten of the above twelve questions, then you are, indeed, a cat person. If you didn't, then you might have to settle for—quelle horreur!—a dog.

As a vet at The Cat Practice, I've treated countless thousands of cats. As a cat lover, I've owned several dozen, although I use the word owned rather loosely. Undoubtedly most cats would consider the concept that they could be owned by anyone or anything amusing. They are independent creatures who some say (dog people mostly) might sum up their relationships with their “owners” as “you scratch my back . . . you scratch my back.” That said, cats are nothing if not mysterious. Your cat may be as loyal as a dog, as protective as a mongoose, as wild as a tiger. Cats are much like snowflakes, in that no two are exactly alike.

There are all kinds of cats—and you need to find the right cat for you. As a vet I get a lot of questions about how, when, why, and which cat to bring home for keeps. Often people are looking for very specific traits in a cat, usually based on those things they loved about their previous pets. They want a calm cat, or an affectionate kitty, or a gregarious feline who plays nicely with other animals and/or young children. One client came to me determined to find another cat just like the one she'd recently lost. That cat had loved to sit in front of the television—and the client wanted another cat who would watch television with her. Determining a cat's potential boob-tube interest may not be easy, but there are some answers we vets can give to those in search of the perfect cat.

MEOW!

“One must love a cat on its own terms.”

—Paul Gray

Cat or Kitten?

Whichever you choose, it's a choice you're going to have to live with for years. The short, safe answer: Choose an adult cat. Adult cats have fully-formed personalities. You know who you're bringing home. But, but . . . I know, I know, those kittens are so adorable. In animal shelters kittens are always adopted first. They've got that whole cuteness factor going for them. And they seem to know that. Who can resist a playful ball of fur who likes to gnaw on your finger with its baby teeth? The problem is that it is very difficult to accurately determine whether or not that precious little guy will grow up to chomp on your fingers with adult teeth. I certainly don't want to talk anyone out of adopting a kitten. But chances are if you adopt a cat at one or two years old , you'll have him for as many years as you'd have one adopted as a kitten. Just remember, an affectionate young adult cat is going to be affectionate its whole life, while an affectionate kitten may end up in love with your expensive couch!

But if you insist . . .

Which Kitten Is the Pick of the Litter?

Many people insist on a kitten, based on the theory that they can mold that kitten into the cat they would like it to be. Remember: You cannot mold a cat. Cats do what they want to do. You may be able to motivate a cat (think chicken liver) but never mold one. With that in mind, you must try to determine the character of the kitten before you take it home with you, at least as far as you are able to.

First, observe the way the kitten interacts with the litter. The friskiest kitten initiates play or other activities; she's the one who claims her mother's best nipple first. This kitten will grow up to have a bold, aggressive disposition. She's also the one that's going to wake you up early in the morning by pulling at your hair. But if you like your cats lively, then she might be the one for you.

If you prefer a quieter companion, look for the loner of the litter. He's the cautious one that always stands aside, watching...