Mission Meow
Cat Rescue & Adoptions, INC.
Here are some the most common beliefs we come across.
If you have a question that is not covered here, please feel free to ask us. We pride ourselves on giving personal, one on one advice that addresses your specific needs!
01
MYTH: Male cats will spray.
ABSOLUTELY FALSE!!!!! We hear this all the time. If a male cat is neutered before his hormones kick in, HE WILL NOT SPRAY. Premier Cats And Kittens are all spayed & neutered long before hormones have a chance to surface.
02
MYTH: Longer haired cats shed more & create more allergies.
FALSE.. It all depends on the cat. Some short haired cats shed more than long haired cats, every cat's coat is individual and it is the dander from the cat's saliva that is the allergen culprit. Regular brushing & using a furminator cuts down on shedding. You can also give your longer haired a kitty a Lion cut in the summer to keep cool- they look like little mini lions! Also, certain breeds are a bit more hypo allergenic, such as abyssinian.
03
MYTH: The younger the cat is the more it will bond & adapt to my household.
FALSE. Many people assume that a baby animal will integrate & bond faster into their new family & environment- NOT NECESSARILY TRUE! That more depends on the personality of the individual pet & the correct pet match to your family- not the age! We are experts at making the perfect feline fit for your family & would be happy to assist you!
Regarding ages: TEENAGE KITTENS (6-12 months) ARE REALLY GREAT BECAUSE:
They are still very much kittens but their personalities are definitely more developed.
They are also a lot less delicate health & handling wise than younger kittens.
They adjust well to their new environment & are very moldable & VERY EASY to bond with. They are a much better choice if you have young children in the house over a smaller delicate kitten. ADULT CATS are by far much lower maintenance, have a set personality, won't destroy your house and you don't have to kitten proof your home!
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04
MYTH: My Cat or kitten will tear up my furniture.
FALSE. If you provide a LEGAL place for your kitty to scratch such as some cool scratching posts sprinkled with cat nip, they will leave your furniture alone. It just takes a little bit of training, patience and consistency at first. If you get your kitten a companion, he will prefer to play rough with his buddy & not your furniture. Although, pets will be pets & it is possible some inadvertant damage or normal wear and tear may occur. If your furniture is more important to you than a cat, please adopt a fish instead.
05
MYTH: Cats are happier to live outside.
FALSE : Indoor only cats are purrfectly happy & MUCH healthier & safer, & won't bring in parasites, worms, or ringworm in your house to spread to you or your children. They become much more independent & less cuddly when they are allowed roam outside.. It only takes one mishap to cause irreversible harm to your kitty & tremendous heartache for your family. You will save yourself a lot of vet bills if you keep your kitty indoors.
Many cat lovers are now savvy that indoor cats are safer cats, while others still think that cats deserve freedom to run in the great outdoors. When humans domesticated cats, we took on the responsibility for their health and welfare. Part of that responsibility is to keep cats safe and in good health. For those holdouts for letting cats roam free, consider these top reasons to keep cats indoors.
An Indoor Cat Is Relatively Safe from Many Diseases
Cats allowed free access to the outdoors invariably come into contact with other cats. Even casual contact can transmit parasites and more serious diseases:
FeLV (Feline Leukemia)
FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis)
Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper)
FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus)
Zoonotic Diseases
Cancers from Environmental Chemicals
Poisoning
Abcesses from territorial fighting
Mice your cat may eat or bring home can also cause a host of other dangerous diseases that can be transmitted to you and your children.
Cancers resulting from cats rolling/walking in fertilizers and pesticides & then ingesting those chemicals by bathing her/himself over time will be avoided. Also Anti freeze, rat poison & other chemicals pose a serious & deadly health risk.
FLEAS & TICKS
You will reduce the risk of fleas on your cat if kept indoors. Fleas can cause tapeworms & diseases that can be transmitted to you and other pets. Also you will not have to treat your cat for fleas as often, therefore reducing the toxins and pesticide you put on your cat. It will also save you money.
To Monitor Your Cat's Urinary Tract/Bowel Health
Several years ago, we almost lost our Bubba, who was an indoor-outdoor cat at the time. Why? Because we had no litter boxes in the house, and therefore, could not monitor his painful attempts to urinate. Today, that would be a red flag warning of a potential UTI or urinary tract blockage.
By the same token, observing a cat's painful attempts to poop, or finding blood and/or mucous in the feces in the fact is a red flag for constipation, bowel blockage, or mega-colon.
Indoor Cats Do Not Get Hit by Cars
According to one source, more cats are killed by cars annually than are euthanized in U.S. animal shelters. Even the most careful driver cannot avoid hitting a cat that runs across the street in front of a car. Even so-called "safe" country areas are no guarantee for cats. Country cats are not as car-savvy as their city brethren, and all it takes is one misjudgement of distance or speed.
Indoor Cats Are Safe From Predators
Outdoor cats are below predators in the food chain, and they are sitting ducks for owls, dogs, coyotes, and native big cats. Remember that some dogs are also bred to attack; they are not really to blame when their instinct takes over. Rattlesnakes area concern in our area od Placer County as well.
Indoor Cats Don't Create Neighbor Problems
Even "well-bred" cats will venture into neighbors' yards when allowed to roam free. People who don't like cats will not tolerate cats using their gardens as litter boxes, and will sometimes resort to extreme measures to keep the cats out. At the very least, a neighbor may call the local animal control to pick up the "stray" cat.
Indoor Cats Are Safe From Human Abuse
Freely-roaming cats are easy targets for gangs of youths with time on their hands, for cat-haters, who seek cats out for target practice, and for neighbors who would think nothing of killing a cat for trespassing on their property. Although animal protection laws are beefing up, prosecution will never bring a loved cat back to life. It's a well known fact that serial killers often practice first with animals.
Indoor Cats Don't Get Lost
As outdoor cats widen their outdoor territories, they may become lost long enough to be "rescued" by other cat lovers, legitimate rescue groups, or picked up by animal control as strays. Statistics show that of "owned" cats turned in to shelters, only three percent are eventually relocated with their owners. Collars can break, and even microchips do not guarantee a cat will not be adopted and kept as an indoor cat by someone else. Why take the chance? Also, some cats can wander into open garages & inadvertently be left in there sometimes for weeks & die of dehydration or heat.
Indoor Cats Are Not Stolen
Bunchers are people who sell cats to laboratories for animal experimentation or research. Their prime source of cats is on the street. Even a cat sitting on his front lawn is fair game for a buncher. Other people pick up cats for use as "bait" for training fighting dogs. Both categories of cat-knappers are the lowest of the low, but they are out there.
Also pet flippers steal cats to sell on Craigslist & other sites. So beware. Remember that an indoor cat is always safer.