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Choosing a Cat or Kitten: Which Is Better for You?
Adapted From: Cats for Dummies, 2nd Edition

When people think about adding a cat to their lives, they seem to automatically think "kitten." And why not? A kitten seems to make perfect sense, a little fluffball who'll grow into your household and your heart. For some people, though, an adult cat is a better option. And even if you're perfectly set up for a kitten, you ought to consider an adult as well, for you can find many wonderful pets among the ranks of grown cats, and most never get a second chance to show how perfect they can be.
Don't rule out either before you consider each fairly.

Everyone loves kittens!
Even people who don't really like cats can't look at a kitten without saying "awwwwwww." Maybe it's those large eyes, following every movement intently; or their oversized ears, twitching to and fro. Maybe it's the playfulness, chasing and pouncing on everything that moves, or the uncontrollable tousled fur. A kitten is all these things — and more.

What many people don't think about is that a kitten can be a lot of work and aggravation. They can mean a lot of expense, too, because many kittens seem to use nearly all a cat's nine lives, which means you may end up seeing the nice people at the emergency veterinary clinic a time or two in the first year. With a kitten, you also need to put more effort into training, from making sure the tiny baby understands what's expected regarding the litter box to helping your kitten learn to stay off the counters. You also need to kitten-proof your home — or keep your baby confined in a safe part of the house whenever you're not watching him — and then spend a few months picking your little baby off the drapes, off the kids, off the back of the couch, or off your slippers.

A kitten may be a poor choice for families with very young children or for someone who's handicapped by advanced age or illness. For all their spunk, kittens are fragile and may accidentally be hurt by young children who don't understand the concept of "gentle." Similarly, a kitten isn't the best choice for anyone who's a little unsteady on his feet or isn't able to chase or otherwise keep up with an energetic feline baby.

On the other hand, a kitten can be perfect for a family with older, more responsible children, or a source of delightful amusement to an active older adult. You just need to look carefully at your living situation and consider the problems and pleasures a kitten will bring.
Finally, consider the matter of time. An adult cat does quite well on her own alone in the house while you work — most of the time she's sleeping anyway. A kitten needs your time, for raising her and for watching over her to keep her out of trouble.

Adult cat considerations
Adult cats offer some compelling advantages and few disadvantages — the most serious disadvantage being simply that they aren't as "baby cute" as kittens!

Kittens get away with their goofiness because they're so adorable, but if you suspect you're going to get tired of having your feet attacked, if you worry about your children not being gentle enough, or if you don't want to be figuring out what your little baby is into every second of the day and night, an adult cat is a better option for you.

If you adopt an adult cat, you know exactly what you're getting. Body type, coat, and eye color are set. Laid-back or active, quiet or vocal, cuddly or demanding, an adult cat has already settled into his own persona. These considerations may not be as important in a pedigreed cat, because you know, based on your kitten's background and the breeder's reputation, what your kitten is likely to grow into. But in a nonpedigreed kitten, these qualities are anybody's guess. If you want to make sure that you're getting, say, a mellow pet, choose a cat beyond the ants-in-his-pants kitten stage.

One of the most compelling reasons to adopt a mature cat is that many of these adults have little hope of getting a second chance after they hit the shelter, no matter how healthy, beautiful, and well mannered they are. Kittens are so adorable they're hard to pass up, and so many people never even look at the cages of adult cats when they're at the shelter.

The possible disadvantage of adopting an adult cat is that you may be choosing a pet with behavioral problems — not using a litter box, for example. A good shelter, rescue group, or breeder practices full disclosure of any known health or behavior problems with the animals up for adoption. Remember, however, that many animals are given up for problems that can be resolved — such as the cat who's looking at a filthy litter box every day and decides to do his business elsewhere.

An adult cat's personality may be set, but his affections aren't — a grown cat bonds with you just as tightly as a kitten does. Adult cats may even be more likely to appreciate you for taking them in.

Most people still choose a kitten over a cat; such is the power of packaging. But make sure that you aren't automatically excluding some wonderful pets. Look at kittens, sure, but check out the cats, too. Strike a blow against ageism! We think you get brownie points for adopting an animal that has everything going for her — except kittenhood. Adopting an adult cat is also a great time- and money-saver.

Is Your Pet Suffering in Silence?
Experts say that 75-85% of all our pets over 3 years of age have some degree of periodontal disease.

That’s a huge number of pets that have treatable disease that is taking its toll on their health, treatable disease that is shortening their life! These pets are still eating and playing and yet they are suffering in silence. Take a look in your pet’s mouth, if you see any of these conditions call us today and bring them in to see one of our highly trained doctors.

Conditions that need intervention for the health of your pet are:

• Fractured teeth
• Discolored teeth
• Malocclusion (incorrect teeth alignment)
• Missing teeth
• Worn teeth
• Red gums
• Bad breath
  

Summertime Pet Safety
Summertime is fast approaching and so are those 100+ degree days. As the temperatures rise, there are some things we need to remember to keep our pets safe.

With the increased heat, comes increased need for water. With hotter weather, our pets will pant more, which can lead to more fluid loss. They can become dehydrated if they are not provided with enough fresh water to drink. This is especially true of our senior pets and puppies and kittens.

Signs of dehydration include:

• Weakness
• Lethargy
• Dry gums
• and a decreased elasticity to the skin.

Please be sure that wherever your pet is this summer, they have plenty of water to drink.

Dogs and cats rely on panting to cool themselves as they don’t have sweat glands like we do. As a result, they can get overheated very easily when the temperatures rise. This is especially true in places that have poor air circulation, such as a car. Because of this, dogs and cats should never be left in a closed car in the summer time, even for short periods of time. If they are outdoors, they need to have an area that can provide shade and have access to fresh water.

Signs of overheating or heat stroke include:

• Weakness
• Collapse
• Vomiting
• Labored breathing

These are signs that an animal needs to be seen by a veterinarian right away.

Pool Safety

One of the best ways to stay cool in the summer is with a dip in the pool, but the pool can be a dangerous place for your dog. Supervision is always recommended for dogs around the water, but is especially important for older dogs, puppies, or any dog that’s unfamiliar with the pool.

When a dog falls in the pool, they can become panicked and will tire trying to find a way out of the pool or by climbing the edge. It’s important to work with your dog and show them the way to get out of the pool. The best way to keep accidents from happening is to only allow access to the pool when you are around to watch them.

Walking With Your Friend

When the temperature heats up, so do those sidewalks and streets. The normal walks we take with our dogs can turn into a painful and injurious experience if the pavement is too hot for their paws and pads. You may notice them picking up their paws or prancing and when you look at their pads, they may have sores or cracks. To avoid these problems, it’s best to walk your dogs during the cooler hours of the day and even to consider purchasing booties to keep their paws protected from the hot ground.

Desert Creatures

It’s important to remember that even though we live in the city, we are in the desert with desert creatures.

Two of the more dangerous ones that we see active in the summer are the Rattlesnakes and the Colorado River Toad.

During the summer, the Rattlesnakes and Toads tend to be more active in the evening. Dogs and cats tend to be curious about these animals. Rattlesnake bites are considered a true medical emergency and your dog or cat should be taken to the veterinarian immediately if a suspected bite has occurred. There is a Rattlesnake vaccine now available that will hopefully diminish the severity of clinical signs seen after a bite. There are also snake proofing classes or training that are available.

The Toads have poisonous mucus that is secreted on their skin that will be toxic to an animal that licks or bites one. The first signs seen are foaming at the mouth, drooling or very red gums, but the clinical signs can progress to abnormal heart rhythms, collapse, vomiting and even death.

If toad toxicity is suspected, first rinse the mouth with a garden hose and then seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

Summertime should be a great time for fun with our animals, but let’s remember to keep them cool and safe!