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Stuff Every Cat Owner Should Know

Cat care basics: health, food, litter box, behavior and what's toxic.

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  1. If you have a cat, how often does the CDC say to change the litter box?
    Show the answer

    Every day. Cat feces can carry the toxoplasmosis parasite. Cleaning the box daily keeps it from building up. This matters most for people who are pregnant or have weak immune systems.

  2. Outdoor cats may leave feces in garden soil. What does the CDC say to wear when gardening?
    Show the answer

    Gloves. Soil or sand can hold the toxoplasmosis parasite from cat feces. Gloves keep it off your skin. Wash up after, even with gloves on.

  3. You touched something that may have cat feces on it. What does the CDC say to wash with?
    Show the answer

    Soap and water. Soap and water is the CDC's advice after touching anything that may be contaminated with cat feces. It helps stop the toxoplasmosis parasite from reaching your mouth.

All 165 practice questions

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  1. If you have a cat, how often does the CDC say to change the litter box?
  2. Outdoor cats may leave feces in garden soil. What does the CDC say to wear when gardening?
  3. You touched something that may have cat feces on it. What does the CDC say to wash with?
  4. Which cats does hyperthyroidism mostly affect?
  5. A cat with hyperthyroidism takes pills. According to Cornell, how long does medication treatment last?
  6. Chronic kidney disease affects up to what share of cats over age 15?
  7. Early in kidney disease, what do many cats show?
  8. The SDMA blood test can flag kidney disease in cats when about how much kidney function is lost?
  9. Cornell calls one change an important and proven part of treating feline kidney disease. What is it?
  10. Core cat vaccines are recommended for which cats?
  11. When is a non-core cat vaccine recommended?
  12. At about what age is a kitten's first vaccine usually given, per iCatCare?
  13. For most kittens, the final shot in the vaccine series is given at what age?
  14. When is a cat's first booster usually given after the kitten vaccine course, per iCatCare?
  15. Feline panleukopenia virus is tough. Without proper disinfection, how long can it survive indoors?
  16. Cornell says sudden death from panleukopenia is most often seen in kittens under what age?
  17. How is feline leukemia virus (FeLV) mainly spread, per iCatCare?
  18. What is the most common way FIV spreads from one cat to another?
  19. The AVMA and other groups support spaying or neutering cats by what age?
  20. How many litters per year can an unspayed female cat (queen) have, per iCatCare?
  21. What do unneutered male cats tend to do, per iCatCare?
  22. Which health problems does the AVMA say spaying a female cat helps prevent or reduce?
  23. As many as what share of cats aged three and older have some dental disease, per iCatCare?
  24. A cat eats normally and acts fine. Can it still have painful dental disease?
  25. Plaque left on a cat's teeth for more than how long starts to harden into tartar?
  26. Is human toothpaste safe to use for brushing a cat's teeth?
  27. A male cat strains in the litter box but passes little or no urine. What should you do?
  28. Why are male cats at greater risk of urinary blockage than females?
  29. iCatCare says what plays a major role in the common bladder condition feline idiopathic cystitis?
  30. According to iCatCare, how well do cats tend to mask signs of illness?
  31. A senior cat stops jumping onto the couch. What could this be a sign of?
  32. How can regular grooming help with hairballs, according to iCatCare?
  33. How often should longhaired cats be groomed, per iCatCare?
  34. Why is it dangerous for a cat to lose weight too quickly?
  35. How do you tell if a cat may be obese, per iCatCare?
  36. Obesity raises a cat's risk of which condition, per iCatCare?
  37. How often should an adult cat see the vet for a full checkup, per Merck?
  38. To make vet trips less scary, where should you keep your cat's carrier?
  39. Per iCatCare, what share of fleas are in the home rather than on the cat?
  40. How do cats get tapeworm from fleas?
  41. Is it safe to put a flea product made for dogs on a cat?
  42. Merck describes flea excrement on a cat's skin as what shape and color?
  43. About how big is a pet microchip, according to the AVMA?
  44. A microchip holds only an ID number. What must you do for it to help bring your cat home?
  45. What kind of collar does iCatCare recommend for cats?
  46. According to the ASPCA, how do outdoor cats compare with indoor cats in lifespan?
  47. What do indoor cats like, per iCatCare, to stay happy and active?
  48. Why do cat bite wounds often turn into abscesses?
  49. How do people get toxoplasmosis from cats, per iCatCare?
  50. Per iCatCare, what is the risk of getting toxoplasmosis from a cat?
  51. Which parts of a lily are poisonous to cats?
  52. A cat sips water from a vase of cut lilies. How risky is that?
  53. Lily poisoning in cats mainly threatens which organ?
  54. Day lilies are not true lilies. Are they safe for cats?
  55. After a cat eats lily, signs of poisoning usually appear within about how long?
  56. You think your cat nibbled a lily leaf but she looks fine. What now?
  57. Acetaminophen is a mild painkiller for people. For cats it is...
  58. Why is acetaminophen so dangerous to cats?
  59. Your cat seems to be in pain. Which medicine is safe to give?
  60. Which of these does International Cat Care list among toxic items for cats?
  61. Antifreeze often contains ethylene glycol. What can the smallest amount do to a cat?
  62. A cat swallowed something poisonous. Should you make her vomit at home?
  63. Besides curiosity, what makes cats especially vulnerable to some poisons?
  64. US pennies minted after which year contain zinc, a metal that can harm a cat that swallows one?
  65. Why is shiny holiday tinsel dangerous for cats?
  66. Why can a swallowed piece of string be so dangerous for a cat?
  67. Cats are called obligate carnivores. What does that mean?
  68. The ASPCA says cats need the amino acid taurine for which body parts?
  69. Compared with dogs and people, how much protein do cats need in their diet?
  70. About how much water does canned cat food contain, according to Cornell?
  71. Per gram, how do the calories in wet cat food compare with dry food?
  72. A cat eating mostly dry food usually does what, according to International Cat Care?
  73. About how much water should the average 10-pound cat take in each day?
  74. International Cat Care says it is best to feed cats little and often. How many portions a day?
  75. When switching a cat to a new food, what does International Cat Care suggest to start?
  76. Cornell's cat health center says raw meat as a food or treat for cats is...
  77. With no human food, a cat could make how many kills a day, says International Cat Care?
  78. How many litter trays should a home have for each cat, per International Cat Care?
  79. International Cat Care says a litter tray should be scooped out at least how often?
  80. Where should a litter tray go, according to International Cat Care?
  81. International Cat Care says the ideal litter tray length is how much of your cat's length?
  82. What kind of litter do most cats prefer, according to Cornell?
  83. If you must move a litter box, how far does the ASPCA say to move it per day?
  84. A cat starts going outside the litter box. Should you punish her?
  85. International Cat Care says to avoid which cleaners on indoor soiling spots?
  86. Why do cats scratch things?
  87. How tall should a scratching post be, according to the ASPCA?
  88. Your cat scratches the couch. What does International Cat Care say about punishment?
  89. Per Cornell, how often should plastic nail caps (soft paws) be replaced?
  90. What is declawing a cat, really?
  91. What does the AVMA do about declawing and other claw surgeries?
  92. International Cat Care says declawing raises the risk of what for cats?
  93. What does International Cat Care say about using your hands to play with a kitten?
  94. Playing with a laser pointer, how should you end the game, per International Cat Care?
  95. Which style of play most closely matches a cat's natural hunting pattern?
  96. Purring only means a cat is happy. True or false, per International Cat Care?
  97. How should you introduce a new cat to a resident cat?
  98. Why swap bedding between a new cat and a resident cat?
  99. What carrier feature helps the vet examine a nervous cat, per International Cat Care?
  100. Is it safe to let your cat roam loose in a moving car?
  101. Which germ causes cat scratch disease?
  102. How does the CDC advise preventing cat scratch disease?
  103. When a family gets a cat, who will do most of the cat's care?
  104. How often does the ASPCA say to wash and refill a cat's water bowl?
  105. A kitten is a kitten for about six months. How long can a cat live?
  106. Which is a major risk for cats that roam outdoors?
  107. When does the ASPCA say to consider pet health insurance?
  108. How often should an indoor cat get interactive play?
  109. Which is usually more work and harder to leave alone?
  110. When you adopt an adult cat, what has often already been done?
  111. How can a cat rehoming center help a family choose a cat?
  112. Before a new cat arrives, what house rule should a family decide?
  113. Where should a new kitten live for its first few weeks at home?
  114. During the first week, how should people handle a shy new cat?
  115. What does the ASPCA say to put in your windows to keep cats safe?
  116. What is true about cats on an open balcony?
  117. Which hazard should you remove from a kitten's room before it comes home?
  118. Which common plant is highly toxic to cats?
  119. Which part of a tulip plant is most dangerous to cats?
  120. Which autumn plant is toxic to cats?
  121. Which outdoor shrub is toxic to cats?
  122. A cat with a tall, upright tail is most likely feeling what?
  123. A cat has wide pupils and ears flat against its head. What does that often mean?
  124. A cat's tail is tucked between its back legs. What does that often mean?
  125. A cat blinks slowly at you with half-closed eyes. What does it often show?
  126. Which activity can build a cat-human bond every day?
  127. What gentle activity can bond a cat to its person?
  128. When carrying a cat, which body parts should you support?
  129. What does the ASPCA say about picking up a cat by the scruff of the neck?
  130. How often does the ASPCA suggest trimming a cat's nails?
  131. What should kids learn to spot when petting a cat?
  132. What should an adult do when a young child pets a cat?
  133. When should a child pick up a cat?
  134. How often should a senior cat typically have a veterinary exam?
  135. Which change in an older cat needs a veterinary check?
  136. Your cat is suddenly much less active than usual. What should you do?
  137. Where should a cat's carrier be placed in a car?
  138. Why should a cat never be left alone in a parked car?
  139. What is the rule when a baby and a cat are in the same room?
  140. Which parts of a cat should young kids avoid touching?
  141. At what age do cat vet guidelines say a cat becomes a senior?
  142. Why does the ASPCA say not to skip your cat's yearly vet exam to save money?
  143. The ASPCA says untreated dental disease in pets can lead to problems with which organs?
  144. Are cats in one or two story homes safe from window falls?
  145. Your cat fell from a window but seems okay. What should you do?
  146. In which season does the ASPCA say cat window falls are most often reported?
  147. Why do most cats fall from high windows and balconies?
  148. Is an aloe plant safe to keep where your cat can chew it?
  149. A cat chews a golden pothos leaf. What does the ASPCA say usually happens?
  150. How dangerous are poinsettias to cats, according to the ASPCA?
  151. Which cats does International Cat Care say are most likely to eat harmful houseplants?
  152. Your indoor cat keeps nibbling houseplants. What can you grow just for it?
  153. A new cat just came home. What should the family keep closed for the first few weeks?
  154. When does International Cat Care say to sign up with a local vet clinic?
  155. How can a baby gate help a cat living with a toddler?
  156. In a home with a young child, where should the litter tray and cat bowls go?
  157. International Cat Care's petting tip: stroke a cat for about how long, then pause?
  158. While you pet your cat, which sign means it is getting uncomfortable?
  159. A cat goes still and tense while you pet it. What does that usually mean?
  160. What is a friendly way to say hello to a cat?
  161. What kind of touch do most cats prefer?
  162. The CDC says cat scratch disease is more common in which group?
  163. Which cat is better suited to a calm family with children?
  164. Why might a cat sleeping in a child's bedroom be a problem?
  165. What does a kitten need early in life to grow into a friendly adult cat?