Читать книгу 77 Things to Know Before Getting a Cat - Susan Ewing M. - Страница 4

This is not a training manual, nor is it a book on breeding and raising kittens, and it is definitely not a veterinary handbook. It is a book with information that can make owning your first cat easier.

Do you really need to know seventy-seven things before getting a cat? No. You definitely need to know a few things, though, and then there are some other things that will make life with your cat more enjoyable. Some of the things in this book are helpful, while others are simply interesting or just for fun.

First-time cat owners will find essential information on a variety of topics, such as recommended vaccinations and the pros and cons of different types of food. There’s a list of poisonous plants and ideas on how to teach your cat to use a scratching post.

Then there’s information you might want to know just because your cat fascinates you. You might want to know about the origin of cats or read about some superstitions surrounding cats. Can you own a certain cat breed without knowing that its official colors are lavender and cream? Sure! But doesn’t lavender and cream sound more elegant than light gray and pale orange?

Maybe the title of this book should be Several Things to Know before Getting a Cat, and Several More Things That Are Just Fun to Know. You can never know enough about this fascinating species.

A few additional notes: People tend to call dogs “he” and cats “she,” but I refer to cats as “he” unless I’m talking about a specific cat. That’s because, in general, male cats are more affectionate, and a male may make a better first cat for someone than a female would. I refer to all breeders as “she” because women seem to be in the majority in that field. The same goes for veterinarians. Women may not be in the majority in the field of veterinary medicine, but I’ve known some terrific women veterinarians, so I’ve chosen to refer to veterinarians using “she.”

Also, sometimes I talk about situations involving multiple cats. Yes, this book is for first-time cat owners, but, for many people, one cat is like one potato chip. You want another, and another after that. Whether you stop at one or add a few more, this book will give you a head start on living with a happy, healthy cat.