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Expert: - 3/22/2010


Question
QUESTION: ok i know this is a lot to ask for, but i am doing a project and i want it to be on cats so i need just basic facts. like: how much should they eat, how much exercise they should get, what to do when your cat has kittens, just and facts you can think of. please. thank you i understand if you cannot give me much but anything will help!

ANSWER: Megan,
we are not allowed to do homework questions for you. You can find all of this stuff on sites like cats.com, about.com etc.

So have fun and talk to your local vet and technicians also!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: sorry but its not for homework its for 4h and i need some help with it. because we have cats but never take them to the vet so i need some help with the questions i asked earlier if u can. i may have more but thank you

Answer
You never take your cats to the vet? If you are in 4H then you should do a project on owner responsibility and what it means to own a pet. Like getting them spayed so that they don't have kittens, getting them vaccinated for contagious and fatal diseases like distemper, leukemia, FIP, FIV and rabies.

Maybe you should do your project on that and then share it with your parents too.

Cats pretty much exercise when they feel like it. Most of the time they sleep, just like their cousins lions do. A cat should be fed good quality food according to its weight so that it doesn't get overweight.

I will not talk about a cat having kittens because I am totally against more unwanted kittens being brought into this world. Anyone that doesn't get their cats and dogs spayed and neutered is not being a responsible pet owner, period.

The 4H leaders should have told you that already. That is about all I can help you with Megan.
Homework is homework, whether it is for school or 4H.
Good luck with your project!

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

Organizations
Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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