What Your Cat Should Not Eat - Part 1

Milk and Dairy Products. Cats love milk right? Wrong, most cats are lactose-intolerant. Their digestive system cannot process dairy foods, and the result can be digestive upset with diarrhea.

Tuna. Cats can easily get addicted to tuna (yes, even tuna for cats). A steady diet of tuna prepared for humans can lead to malnutrition because it won't have all the nutrients a cat needs. Too much tuna can also cause mercury poisoning.

Onions, Garlic, Chives, Tomatoes, Mushrooms (in all forms) can cause anemia. An occasional small dose probably won't hurt. But eating a large quantity once or eating smaller amounts frequently can cause onion poisoning. Onions, garlic and chives can also cause gastrointestinal upset.

Alcohol in general as well as foods containing alcohol is not good for your cat. Just two teaspoons of whisky can cause a coma in a 5-pound cat, and one more teaspoon could kill it.

Grapes and Raisins can cause kidney failure in cats. And, a small amount can make a cat ill.

Caffeine in large enough quantities can be fatal for a cat. Symptoms of caffeine poisoning include restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, and fits. Therefore do not feed your kitten caffeine rich food such as tea, coffee (any type), cocoa, chocolate, Red Bull, Coke, cold medicines and painkillers etc.

Chocolate (of all kinds) can be lethal for cats. Although most cats won't eat it on their own, they can be encouraged to eat it by owners and others who think they are giving the cat a treat. Eating chocolate can cause abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and death.

Candy and Gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods are sweetened with xylitol. Xylitol can cause your cat's blood sugar to drop and also lead to liver failure. Initial symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination. The cat may have seizures soon after ingesting the xylitol, and liver failure can occur within just a few days.

Fat Trimmings and Bones. Both fat and bones can be dangerous for cats. Fat, both cooked and uncooked, can cause intestinal upset, with vomiting and diarrhea. And a cat can choke on a bone. Bones can also splinter and cause an obstruction or lacerations of your cat's digestive system.

Raw Eggs can cause food poisoning from bacteria like salmonella or E. Coli as well as skin and coat problems.

Raw Meat and Fish can contain bacteria that causes food poisoning. Enzyme in raw fish destroys thiamine, which is an essential B vitamin for your cat. A lack of thiamine can cause fatal neurological problems and lead to convulsions and coma.

Dog Food. A steady diet of dog food can cause your cat to be severely malnourished.

Liver. Eating too much liver can cause vitamin A toxicity. This is a serious condition that can affect your cat's bones, problems associated with liver include deformed bones, bone growths on the elbows and spine, and osteoporosis. Vitamin A toxicity can also cause death.

Too Many Treats. Eating too much too often can do the same thing to cats that it does to humans. It can lead to obesity and diabetes.

Yeast Dough can cause severe abdomen pain. When the yeast ferments it also produces alcohol that can lead to alcohol poisoning.

Your Medicine. Just as you would do for your children, put all medicines where your cat can't get to them. Ingesting medicine prescribed for humans is a common cause of poisoning in cats. Never give your cat any over-the-counter medicine unless advised to do so by your vet as some ingredients can be deadly for your cat.

If Your Cat Eats What It Shouldn't 

Keeping pantry and cupboard doors closed will help protect your cat from serious food-related illness however, no matter how careful you are, it's possible that your cat will find and swallow what it shouldn't. It's always a good idea to keep the number of your vet or local RSPCA handy.  And if you think your cat has consumed something that's toxic, call for emergency help. 

Foxy

Foxy - daughter of Muffin and Poppy

Lily

Lily - daughter of Muffin and Poppy

Samson

Samson - son of Muffin and Poppy

New Born Kittens Development - Week 5

Activity increase. The kittens sight is fully developed at five weeks. The kittens are also very active and confident - I often find them climbing my guitar case and book shelf. Kitten at this stage will start exploring a lot more, often stalking, wrestling and pouncing on their litter mates. The kittens may also experiment sleeping in different and somewhat awkward places (mine decided that my guitar amp is a great place to have a nap), gently move them to their bed so they can get used to their place of rest.

Weaning process starts. The weaning process can begin around five weeks of age. I started by leaving dry and wet kitten food available. Not all kittens will take to food immediately, so patience is important. Introduce a small amount, initially. You can introduce solids either by placing a small amount of food on your finger or in a cat bowl. Select a quality brand of canned kitten food (ask your vet) with a named meat source as the first ingredient (chicken is good). Many breeders and rescuers will have been feeding this food to the mother cat, and the kittens will quickly accommodate to eating mom's food.

Litter training. You can start this from week three. From week five however they should be able to confidently use the litter tray. Although you could still find some "accidents". Be patient! Make sure that the bedding is easily washable, so you can ensure the area remains clean. Provide your kittens with a small litter tray, and make sure it has litter which is safe for young kittens to use (and possibly eat).

New Born Kittens Development - Week 4

I can't believe four weeks have passed already. A month has passed and the kittens are developing at fast speed - they do grow up too fast! At this stage you will notice the following:

1. Depth perception has developed. That's why they cling on to you for they dear lives with their tiny claws.

2. Sense of smell is fully developed.

3. The sense of hearing is now well developed. They will run and hide if they hear loud noise.  

4. Baby teeth will start to show. 

5. Kittens are learning to walk without stumbling. Some of the kittens may even started running randomly. 
 

6. The kittens are becoming more and more active. They also look for adventure outside their kitten "cot". They will interact more with their siblings. I've heard this interactions can even lead them to form "alliances" which may or may not be gender-based.

7. The mother will begin to leave her kittens for short periods of time. At this stage, you can provide a small bowl of water for the kittens to drink from.

New Born Kittens Development - Week 3

You will start to notice more activity now that the kittens have reached week 3 as they sleep less and want to play more, also 4 things have taken place:

1. Ear Development. Ear canals are now completely open.

2. Digestive System. Kittens can voluntarily eliminate as their digestive system is developing. 

3. Awareness. They interact with each other and with people, and will want to carefully explore their surroundings. 

4. Grooming. They also groom themselves and one another and are looking cuter and cuter as the days go by.