Dispelling The Myth

When friends heard that my wife and I were expecting our first child, they looked at us in all solemnity and said, "Well, you'll have to get rid of your cats then--they'll go after the milk and smother the baby." Think again.

If the cats were that attracted to milk, why weren't they chasing my wife around the house while the baby was breast-feeding? This is one of the oldest cat myths going, and has very little to do with reality--there has been no recorded incident of a cat smothering a baby. Still, cats shouldn't be allowed to sleep in a crib--there's too much possibility for accidental scratching.

Search the largest collection of pet sites on the Internet at PetscapeNavigator.com. http://www.petscapenavigator.com

You'll find a great collection of cat care sites at Cat-Health-and-Care.com. http://www.cat-health-and-care.com

Plant Power

If you believe your cat has nibbled on a toxic plant, here are some things to remember:

- Stay calm. - Check the marks on the plant in relation to Kitty's teeth--the culprit could be someone different. - Once you're sure, remember that the quicker you act, the better Kitty's chance of recovery. - Take Kitty to the vet immediately, and if possible, take the plant and any substance he has already vomited. Once there, Kitty's vet may induce vomiting to clear the stomach of the poisonous substance.

Need a list of plants toxic to cats? Visit Plants and Your Cat.com. www.plant-and-your-cat.com

To search the largest collection of pet sites on the Internet, go to PetscapeNavigator.com. www.petscapenavigator.com

The Pitter-Patter Of Little Paws

If your female cat hasn't been spayed, it's more than likely that she'll become pregnant at some point. It's important that you watch for the following signs of pregnancy so that she can receive the correct care and attention she requires:

- Weight increase between two to four pounds. - Pink nipples. - Swollen abdomen. - Sudden increase in "nesting" behavior.

Care For My Cat.com offers more advice on dealing with pregnant queens.

Bed And Breakfast Kitties

Leaving your pets to go on vacation can be hard, but many hotels don't accept pets. If you're desperate to take your cat with you, you may want to try staying at a bed and breakfast. More and more B&Bs are accepting pets and they're usually less formal than hotels.

When booking a bed and breakfast, ask a few questions. Do they take pets? Can pets be left unattended in rooms, or must it be in a pet crate? And do they charge extra for a pet? Many B&Bs charge an extra $10.00, or 10% of the room cost, if a pet is staying with you. Have a go--it definitely beats a kennel!

Sedating Your Cat On The Move

Owners once thought that a traveling cat was better off sedated, particularly on long car rides or plane trips. Nowadays, most veterinarians aren't likely to recommend sedatives for a number of reasons:

Sedatives only work for a set amount of time--a long trip could necessitate several doses. Most cats actually travel better without sedatives, and are more able to adapt to their new surroundings if they aren't having to "come round" after sedation. Sedatives may worsen undiagnosed medical conditions. Traveling with cats can be an adventure. Just remember that it's an adjustment for both of you.

-- Anonymous, April 28, 2002