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Flea and Tic Meds
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S.P.A.R.E. RECOMMENDS FRONTLINE
It is of
the utmost importance to give your pet flea medication. Fleas and tic
infestations are very dangerous and uncomfortable for your cat.
There are several flea and tic medications available in Egypt.
All flea and tic medications are administered depending on the weight of your cat.
Ask your vet which one suits your pet best
Frontline: Available at Sami's Pet Shop.
Revolution: Available at all vets and pet shops
Russian: Available at all vets and pet shops
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Your Cat Kit
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Collar, with your cat's name and your phone number on it
Blankets
Cat bed or basket
Litter box
Litter
Toys
Scratching post
Cat food
Two bowls - one for water, one for food
Your vets number saved on your cellphone
Equipment and Supplies
Brush
Ear cleaning solution
Tweezers
Syringe without the needle (to give liquid medicine)
Clean towels - cloth and paper
Disposable gloves
Pet carrier
Nutritional Support
Rehydrating solution such as Mahlool El Gaffaf
Medicines
De-worming medication
Flea and tick medication
Wound disinfectant e.g. Betadine
Triple antibiotic ointment for skin e.g. Fucidin
Antibiotic ophthalmic ointment for eyes, e.g., Terramycin
Eye wash solution
Sterile saline
Antidiarrheal medicine such as Kapect
Aspirin e.g. Panadol
Medicine for allergic reactions e.g. Benadryl
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Before Getting a Cat
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Cats are not appliances.
Don't get a cat as a status symbol.
Don't get a dog because your friend or neighbor has one.
Get a cat because you truly love cat, for better and for worse, in sickness and in health.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Before getting a cat, ask yourself the following questions (and be very honest with your answers!)
1. Why do you want a cat?
2. Does everyone living with you want a cat too? Caring for a cat is a big responsibility, and you must make sure that people are around you are willing to care for it too.
3. Are you sure that nobody is allergic to or afraid of cats? Bringing a cat into a house where people might suffer is unfair to both your family and to the cat.
4. Are you, and all those living with you, committed to spending 12+ years providing for your cat? Your cat will need your care and commitment for its entire life. You must be sure that you are willing and able to care for it until the end of its days.
5. If you get a kitten, do you understand that it will mature and probably look nothing like the adorable ball of fluff you adopted?
6. Are you financially capable of providing for a cat? You must be able to cover the cost of quality food, equipment, boarding when you're away, veterinary care and other health care (monthly flea medication; de-worming tablets; medicine).
7. Are you willing to put in extra effort to care for your cat, in its illness and old age? Cats are not like humans - they can't take their medicine alone, they can't cook their own food, they can't clean up after their own mess. You must understand that cats need even more attention when they are old, and you must be willing to make that commitment.
8. Is your carpet or furniture more important than the cat? Declawing is amputation of a cat's toes at the first joint.
9. Will your cat be alone for long periods of time on a daily basis? If you and your family work very long hours which will result in your cat being left alone for long periods of time, it is unfair to own a cat. If that is the case, you might consider two cats instead of one.
10. Do you travel frequently? Will it be difficult for you to find quality care for your cat when you're away? If you find that your traveling habits will result in your cat spending more time at a cattery than at your home, then you shouldn't have a cat.
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Cat Needs
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Basic Care
Companionship - to be with other cats or people and not to be left alone for too long
A collar and identity tag with its name and your phone number and address
Toys to provide mental stimulation
Stainless steel bowls for food and water
Brush
Bed
Litterbox
Litter
Diet
A balanced diet
Constant supply of fresh, clean water
Vitamins (depending on age)
Care
To be brushed every day, especially if they have long hair
Hair to be trimmed to avoid tangling
Nails should be clipped
Teeth should be clean. Regular dental check ups by vet
It's own bed and blanket
To be housebroken
Health Care
To be micro-chipped
To be licensed
To be neutered
To be taken to a vet if they are ill
Yearly vaccinations
Deworming every 3 months
Monthly flea and tick treatments
To be looked after when you are on holiday
Remember: a cat needs your care and attention for the rest of its life.
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Feeding Your Cat
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ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A BOWL OF FRESH WATER AVAILABLE FOR YOUR CAT.
Cat Food
Supermarkets
You can purchase quality cat food from most Supermarkets in Egypt: the most common brand available in hyper and super markets are Friskies, and it is available everywhere.
Pet Shops
Pet Shops such as Sami's Pet Shop in Zamalek and Chez Berge in Mohandeseen sell dry and wet food brands as well.
You will find a wider range of cat food available at pet shops, in particular Royal Canin, which is the cat food brand that S.P.A.R.E. recommends.
You can also find cat food in your vets clinic.
Home Cooked Food
You can feed your cat home cooked food, but providing it with a balanced diet is easier when it is raised on cat food from the start.
However, S.P.A.R.E. recommends that you feed your cat a mix of chicken and meat - for example, chicken four times a week, and meat three times a week - in small amounts.
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