Fleas

Most cats and dogs have fleas, no matter what anyone may tell you.  All your best efforts will not keep them out entirely, but do your best, for they not only make the animals miserable, but they  damage the coat and encourage worms too. Be especially watchful in warm weather. Use a good flea powder at least every five days (the life cycle of the flea); use one made especially for cats-flea powders for dogs may contain DDT, which is a deadly poison for cats. Comb frequently, giving particular attention to the head and neck. Keep handy a bowl of hot water, with a little “Clorox” or “Creolin” in it to drown them before they can hop back on the animal again.
A “dry shampoo” applied with a piece of sponge and well rubbed in helps discourage fleas and other vermin. See that the cat’s bed is kept clean and the bedding changed frequently. Commercially available coat preparations and pesticidal agents will be invaluable to you in keeping your cat free of infestation by parasites.
 
EAR MITES

These are tiny parasites that cause dirt, evil odour, and irritation in the ear canal. If left undisturbed, they can produce an abscess which may get through the brain with fatal results. They are highly communicable and young kittens are particularly susceptible.

The victim will shake his head and scratch frantically at the affected ear, often drawing blood in his efforts to dislodge the unwelcome visitors. If you find dirty wax or dark brown dirt in the cat’s ear, in tiny scab-like particles, suspect ear mites. Using any good baby oil, swab out the dirt very gently, using the small Q-tip type of commercial swab. Grip the tip of ear firmly, to hold the cat’s head steady while you work. The external ear is tough, but the lower, deeper ear is very sensitive, and rough probing within the ear may very well deafen the cat.

When the brown scabs are loosened and wiped out, dust in, with a clean swab, common boric acid powder. If the condition is of long standing, it could take two or three treatments several days apart to clear the canal and to give the powder a chance to do its necessary healing work. In such severe cases, it is sometimes necessary to soak the ear in oil for several days before trying to remove the scabs. If the condition does not yield to this treatment, consult your veterinarian as soon as possible.

CLAWS

To prevent hurt to yourself and your upholstered furniture, keep a pet’s claws cut short. The best tool for the purpose are animal nail clippers available in your pet shop, which cut the claw cleanly, without shattering. Holding the paw in your left hand, gently pinch each toe in turn from above and below, until the claw extends clear of the fur; then clip it just beyond the opaque triangle which is the sensitive quick or matrix. Usually only the front claws need trimming. Clip about once every two or three weeks.
HAIRBALLS

Almost all cats have hairballs. As they lick themselves they swallow the loose hair, which collects in the alimentary canal, often in such quantities as to interfere with digestion. In longhaired cats it is sometimes fatal. Symptoms are a strong retching, vomiting of small quantities of stomach juice, and sometimes finicky appetite. Many cats will be able to rid themselves of hairballs without help-usually vomiting them-but don’t wait for that. If you suspect the presence of hairballs, give a teaspoonful of mineral oil or a thimbleful of Vaseline. Repeat at one-week intervals, if necessary.

COMMON TROUBLES.

Caring for a sick or injured animal is not strictly for the layman, any more than is caring for a human invalid. If your cat has a warm nose and poor appetite, and remain so for more than a day or two, take him to a veterinarian, one that is familiar with cats.