Text Leveling System

Cats and Kittens

RDQ:	1089	Max Word/Sent	27	Total Words	3665		Diff Words	759
Lex	760	Ave Word/.Sent	11	Hi Freq occurs	2778	75.8%	Hi freq	308	40.6%
AR	3.8	Long Sentences	7.8	Low Freq occurs	86	2.3%	Low freq	66	8.7%

Choosing a kitten
If you are thinking of getting g your first cat,
it's a good idea to get a kitten.  A kitten 
needs more care to start with but may find
it easier to fit into a new home.  Before 
choosing, try to visit different families of
kittens to find one that you like.
Where to start
Ask friends if they know anyone
whose cat has had kittens.  Local 
vets and animal shelters are a 
good place to ask too.
At 8 - 12 weeks old a kitten will be ready 
to leave its mother.  A kitten learns from 
its mother and from playing with
the other kittens
in its family.
Types of cats
Some people breed cats so that they have
special mixtures of fur shades and length.
These cats are called purebred.
Most cats are a mixture of breeds.]]
Which one?
Find out about the kittens' 
mother if you can.  Her 
kittens may grow up to look 
like her or the father.
Watch the kittens to find
out what they are like.
Some kittens are quiet and 
others are more active.
Choose a kitten that's lively 
but not aggressive.  Ask the 
owners if they have noticed
how your kitten behaves.
Ancient pets
Cats have been kept as pets for thousands
of years.  It is thought that the first people 
to keep cats in their homes were the
Ancient Egyptians, about 5000 years ago.
Wild things
Tame cats, like yours, are called domestic
cats.  Domestic cats are related to wild cats
such as lions, cheetahs and leopards.  Your
cat may behave like a wild cat at times.]]
What will I need?
You will need to get some 
special things to help you to 
look after your cat.  Make sure
you have everything ready for 
your new kitten or cat before 
you bring it home.
You will need a special
pet carrier to take your cat
home.  An ordinary 
cardboard box is not safe
or strong enough.
Your cat will need some 
toys so that it doesn't get
bored.  Never leave yarn or 
string with your cat.  It could 
choke on it.
Cats like things that can roll 
around or move easily.  You 
could make some toys for 
your cat.
Inside your house, your cat
can go to the toilet in a
litter tray, also called a litter 
box.  Buy a plastic tray and 
special grit, called cat litter.
You will also need some 
food.  Canned or dry food is 
the easiest to use.  buy just 
one or two cans at first in 
case your cat doesn't like it.
Choose food dishes with 
shallow sides so that your
cat can reach inside.  Have 
one dish for food and one
dish for water.]]
Find a large cardboard box, about twice
the size of your cat.  Cut off any flaps at the 
top.  Carefully cut a section out of one 
side, about 2 inches from the edges.
Put newspaper in the bottom and around
the sides of the box.  Fold up an old sweater
or blanket.  Put this in the bottom of the box
to make a comfortable bed.
Cats like to have their
food dishes, their litter 
tray and their
bed in separate
places.  Try to 
find places for 
all these where 
it is quiet and 
your cat will not
be disturbed.]]
It will take some time for your cat to get 
used to all the different sights and smells in 
your home.  Keep your cat in just one or two 
rooms for the first two or three days.  
Show your cat its food, litter tray and bed
by tapping them gently and calling its 
name.  Make sure it can always get to these
things when it needs to.
Open the pet carrier and let
your cat look around.  Tip
the carrier very gently so 
that it can climb out.
Let your cat explore 
without picking it up.  Stay
still and let your cat explore
you as well.
When it feels at home your 
cat may start to wash itself.
This shows that your cat
thinks it is in a safe place.
Get your cat's attention 
by calling its name.  It is 
more likely to come to you 
if you crouch down and are
still.  Some cats can be
very shy at first.]]
Most cats like to be stroked.  Stroking may 
remind your cat of its mother licking it 
clean.  Smooth its fur down gently in the 
direction that it grows.
Your cat might sit on your lap to be
stroked.  If it feels happy, your cat may 
knead you with its paws.  Kittens knead 
their mother when they want milk.
Your cat rubs its head
against things to mix its smell
with objects and people.  This 
makes places seem less
strange to it.
A cat usually has an area that it 
treats as its own.  This is called its
territory.  Cats mark their territory
by spraying and rubbing with their 
scent, and scratching things.]]
Most cats like to be stroked and cuddled,
but make sure your cat knows you are 
there, before you pick it up.  Get your kitten 
used to being handled and meeting other 
pets while it is still young.  Keep other pets
away from your cat for a least a day.  It is 
best never to let a cat or kitten meet small 
pets such as mice, rabbits, or birds.
Use both hands to pick 
your cat up.  Lift it with one 
hand under its chest.
Gather up its back legs.
Hold your cat against your
chest so that it feels safe.
Support it with one hand
under its back legs.
If it struggles, put your cat
onto the floor very gently.
Let it go when its feet are 
on the ground.
A kitten may meow a lot
when it is left on its own.
Wrap a hot water bottle in a 
towel and put it in its bed.]]
Before your pets meet, exchange a piece of 
bedding from each of their beds.  This will 
mix their smells.  Have someone with you
when your pets meet so that you can 
make a fuss of both of your pets.  As
your pets get used to each other, your 
cat will start to feel as if it is part of the 
same family.
Let your pets meet before
a meal.  They will probably 
be more interested in their 
food than in each other.  
If your other pet is a dog.
keep it on a leash for the 
first few meetings.  Keep 
the meeting quite short.]]
Cats need to eat meat to
stay healthy.  In the wild,
your cat would eat small
animals such as mice,
rabbits and rats.  It would 
also eat birds and fish.  A 
lot of cats like cows' milk,
but it can give them an 
upset stomach.  Only give 
your cat milk occasionally.
Your cat might meow when 
it is hungry.  Feed your cat
 at the same times each day.
Up to four months old, feed
your kitten four or five
small meals a day.  this is 
better than two big meals.
Fill a different dish with 
cold water.  Make sure there
is always fresh water in 
your cat's dish.
At six months old, cut down
to 2 or 3 meals a day.  Each 
meal should be about 4 
spoons of canned food.]]
You can give your cat dry food instead of 
canned food it you like.  Crunching on dry 
food helps to keep your cat's teeth clean.  
Don't mix dry food with other
food or it will
get soggy.
At six months old, kittens lose their first
teeth and grow adult ones.  Although cats'
teeth are very sharp and good at biting,
they cannot chew food as well as you can.
A cat's tongue is covered with tiny hooks
which make it very rough.  The hooks are 
useful for cleaning fur and, in the wild, for 
tearing meat off bones.]]
Cats and kittens love to play.  They like
toys which they can roll around and 
pounce on.  Cats like to climb inside boxes
and paper bags.  Keep plastic bags away 
from your cat.  It could suffocate in one.
Cats mainly play to exercise, but also to 
learn how to hunt.
They're also very inquisitive and like to 
explore new things.]]
Make a playhouse
1.	Find a cardboard box
bigger than your kitten.
Make sure the box has four 
flaps at the top.
2.	Draw circles of different 
sizes on the box.  Make 
some bigger and some
smaller than your kitten.
3.	Get someone to help you 
cut out the circles with a 
bread knife.  Tape the flaps 
together firmly.
Kitten games
Watch how your kitten
plays different games with 
its toys.  It may pretend it is 
catching a bird by throwing
a toy up in the air.  Kittens 
of wild cats do this too.  A
mother cheetah will bring
small animals back for her
kittens to play with.
Your kitten might grab you
with its claws when you are
playing with it.  Calm it 
down by talking to it 
quietly.  Take your hand
away slowly.]]
Fur protects your cat's skin and helps
to keep it warm, just as your clothes
protect you.  Cats keep their fur clean by 
licking it with their 
rough tongues.
Cats shed some of their fur all the time.  Old
hairs fall our and are replaced by new hairs.
Their fur also grows thicker to keep them 
warm during the winter.  In the 
spring, cats shed a lot to 
get rid of their thick 
winter fur.
In hot weather your cat may 
wash its fur more often.  This 
is like having a shower to 
cool down.  It may also 
lie stretched out, so 
that more air can 
reach its skin.]]
When your cat washes, it swallows loose
fur which can make it sick.  You can help 
your cat to get rid of loose fur by brushing 
it regularly.
1.	Brush your cat at least once a week.
Long haired cats may need brushing more often.
2.	Get an old towel or blanket for your cat
to stand on.  Sit your cat on your lap or on 
a table.
3.	Start by brushing its back, then its legs
and tail.  Brush your cat under its chin and 
around its ears.
4.   Some cats don't like being brushed at 
all.  Try to get your kitten used to being
brushed while it's still young.
In the wild, cats
have fur shades that
match the places
where they live.  Tigers
have stripes on their
fur which look like the 
long grass that they 
hide in.]]
In the wild, cats use their claws
to catch food and to protect 
themselves.  Your cat uses its
paws to explore.  It uses its 
claws to dig into things, such
as trees, so that it can climb them.
As your cat scratches, it files its claws.
to keep them sharp.  The scratches also 
show other cats that it has been there.
When it scratches, your 
cat leaves its smell behind
as a sign to mark its 
territory.
Cats swing their paws in front of each 
other as they walk, as if they are walking
along a line.  This means that they can 
easily walk along narrow ledges and 
fences.  Try walking like your cat.]]
Outside, your cat will use a tree to sharpen
its claws.  Inside, if your cat tries to scratch 
the furniture, you need to buy a scratching 
post and train it to use it.  
All cats need somewhere to scratch.  
If you see your kitten scratching the 
furniture, say ""No!"" in a firm voice.
Take it to its scratching post.
There are four toes on each of your
cat's front paws and one small toe
higher up its leg, a bit like a thumb. 
This is called a dew claw.
Your cat's claws are pulled in most
of the time.  This stops them from 
being  worn away too quickly.]]
As your kitten grows up, it will need to 
learn what it can and can't do in you 
house.  Your kitten will learn faster if you 
teach it while it is still young.  Use your 
kitten's name when you're training it.  It 
will start to recognize its name the more 
you use it.  Praise your kitten when it does 
something that you want it to.
when your kitten has
finished eating, pick it up 
and put it in its litter tray.
Leave your kitten to go to 
the toilet on his own.
If you see your kitten 
crouching down with its
tail up, pick it up.  Quickly
take it to its litter tray so 
that it can go to the toilet.
Empty the litter tray every 
day.  Put the dirty litter into 
a plastic bag and throw it 
away.  Refill the tray and 
put it on old newspapers.]]
when you're training your 
kitten and it does what
you want it to, give it 
something to eat as a treat.
Most cats will like a 
teaspoon of yogurt or a 
small piece of cheese as a 
treat.  They may also like a 
small piece of cooked meat
or fish, but remember to 
pull out all the bones. 
Don't give your cat any
leftovers or chocolate.
These can make your cat
very ill.
when you see your kitten
doing something it 
shouldn't, say its name
and ""No!"" in a firm voice.
Your kitten will want to 
explore.  Don't let it onto 
surfaces where food is 
prepared and eaten.]]
Some cats like to meow a lot to tell you 
how they feel.  Using different meows,
your cat will tell you if it's hungry or 
wants attention.  Watch the way your 
cat moves to find out what it is 
saying to you.
Your cat shows that it is pleased to see you 
by putting its tail straight up.  Its ears point
to the front.  It might also make a chirruping 
noise to say ""hello"".  
When it is happy, your cat makes a 
rumbling sound called a purr.  It makes the 
noise deep in its throat as it breathes. 
Stroking your cat usually makes it purr.
When your cat rolls 
over and shows you its
stomach, it trusts you.  
Your cat will probably not 
do this if there is someone
nearby that it does not know.]]
When a cat is angry,
it twitches its tail and its
ears point back.  the 
black part of its eyes, the 
pupils, grow wider.  Leave 
your cat alone if it looks
annoyed.
Sometimes, when a cat is 
playing, it mixes signs that it 
is happy or angry.  It may fluff up 
its fur but point its ears to the front.]]
As your kitten grows up,
you'll need to take it to the 
vet.  It is a good idea to take
your cat to the vet a least 
once a year, even if it is not 
ill.  the vet can check that 
your cat is healthy.
Watch out for signs of your 
cat going off its food or 
looking scruffy.  If you are 
worried , find the number of 
your nearest vet in a 
telephone directory.  Ask 
the vet for advice before
taking your cat in.  Visiting
a vet can be expensive.
Take your cat to the vet if it 
becomes ill.  Keep it warm
and stay quiet when you're 
nearby, so that it can rest.
Pick your cat up carefully
and put it into its pet carrier.
Put it into the carrier 
bottom first.
You'll need to take your 
kitten to a vet when you first 
get it.  The vet will check that
your kitten is healthy and 
give it some injections.
At six months old, your 
kitten can be neutered.  this 
is an operation which stops
it from having kittens or 
being the father of kittens.
Your cat will need extra 
injections from your vet
every year.  This is to make 
sure it is still protected
against diseases.]]
Even if your cat is very clean, it may have 
fleas living on it.  If you see your cat
scratching a lot, it may have fleas.  Use a 
special spray from a vet to get rid of them.
Tapeworms can live in a cat's stomach.  If
you see something like a grain of rice near
its bottom, your cat may have tapeworms.
don't touch them, but tell an adult.
Cats can live for 14 
years or longer.  As 
your cat gets older,
it may find it more
difficult to stretch
around to clean 
its fur.  Help your
cat keep clean
by brushing it 
more often.]]
Kittens and cats love to explore outside.
If you do not have an area outside where
your cat can go, it will need enough space
to exercise inside and a sunny place to sit. 
Your cat can go outside two weeks after it
has had its injections.  Put an elasticated
cat collar with an identity tag on your cat
in case it gets lost.
Make sure your cat is wearing a collar
before you let it explore on its own.  When 
you fit the collar, make sure you can easily 
get two fingers under it.
When you want your cat to come inside, 
call its name.  Crouch down and hold out
your hand.  Your cat may come if it
hears you shaking a box of cat food.]]
A cat flap is a small door for
your cat.  It allows your cat to 
go outside and come back
inside when it likes.  some cat
flaps have locks on them so 
that you can keep your cat
inside.  don't lock your cat
outside at night.
1.	Prop the cat flap open 
with a ruler or stick.  Tempt 
your cat through it with a 
food treat or a toy.
2.	After your cat has gone
through its cat flap, go to 
the other side and call it
through again.
3.	Take away the prop when
your cat is through the flap.
Push the flap to show your
cat how it works. 
4.	Let your cat push
through the flap a few
times.  Your cat will soon 
get used to using it.]]
What do you think your cat gets up to 
without you?  When your cat is outside
it may meet other cats and explore its
territory.  It may look for small animals to 
hunt.  Cats sometimes like to bring home
the things that they catch.
As kittens play together, they learn how ti 
defend their territory.  Kittens often look as 
if they are fighting and may even hiss or 
spit.  they won't hurt each other, as their 
fur protects them from sharp claws.
Cats may share a territory, but there is 
always one who is the leader.  If you hear
cats making loud wailing noises, they may
be fighting over which one is the leader.
The loser might creep away, very slowly.]]
Even well fed cats like to hunt.  When a cat
sees something to catch, it stays very still
then moves slowly closer.  Its whiskers and 
ears point to the front and it watches very 
carefully.  Just before a cat pounces it may 
wiggle its bottom.
In dim light, your cat sees objects five
times brighter than you can.  This makes
it easy for cats to move around at night
without bumping into things.
In total darkness cats use their whiskers
to feel when objects are close.  The 
animals that cats hunt cannot see
as well in the dark as they can.]]
You may see your cat trying to nibble at
plants.  It is best not to let our cat eat any 
plants except grass and catnip.  there are 
some plants that are poisonous to cats.
If you see your cat chewing a houseplant
say ""No!"" , firmly.  Put pieces of orange or 
lemon peel in the plant pot.  Most cats 
don't like the smell of peel.
Your cat may also like some grass to chew
on.  You could grow some grass in 
a pot for your cat.  Some
experts say that eating
grass helps cats to 
vomit to get rid
of any fur they 
may have
swallowed.]]
A lot of cats like a plant
called catnip, or catmint.
Kittens are able to smell 
catnip when they are six
months old.  they like to 
rub against it and chew it. 
Some toys have dried
catnip inside.  You can buy 
this from a pet store, or
grow it and dry it yourself.]]
If you go away overnight you will need
someone else to look after your cat. 
Some cats like to travel, but most prefer to 
stay at home where they feel safe.  It is 
best not to leave your kitten alone
overnight until it is a least 4 months old 
and is settled into your home.
When you go away, your cat can stay in a 
special boarding house for cats.  Take your 
cat's blanket to the boarding house.  All the 
other things it needs will be provided.
Most cats don't like changes so will prefer
to stay at home when you go away.  Ask a 
friend to visit every day to feed your cat
and empty its litter tray.
If your cat is old enough, ask your friend to 
let it out for a short time then call it in.  If 
you have a cat flap, leave it unlocked so 
that your cat can go out when it likes.]]
If you move to a new house, pack your cat's 
litter tray, cat litter, food, food dishes and 
some toys all together. Make sure you can 
get to these things easily.  Your cat will 
need them as soon as you arrive.  When 
you are ready to leave your old home, put
a small food treat inside a pet carrier and 
lift your cat into it.  It is not a good idea to 
let your cat out of its carrier while you 
travel to your new home.
Packing and moving will seem very 
strange to your cat.  Keep it inside
for a few days before you move and 
give it lots of extra attention.
When you arrive, open the pet carrier and '
let your cat explore its new home.  Keep 
your cat inside for at least a week, until it 
has settled in.]]

Subjective Criteria

Illustrations: Some support

Unconventional format

Vocabulary: Some difficult words

Language: Many descriptive words

Sentences: Multiple phrases

Text structure: Story/Poem

Inferences: Several Implications

Complexity: Several unrelated ideas

Captions

Headings

Features

Topic

Cats

*Animals

Pets

Low Frequency Words

advice	aggressive	annoyed	carrier	catmint
chirruping	crouch	crouching	diseases	disturbed
domestic	edges	egyptians	elasticated	haired
handled	healthy	identity	injections	inquisitive
kitten's	knead	ledges	leftovers	leopards
likely	lively	meows	mixtures	neutered
objects	occasionally	operation	ordinary	overnight
playhouse	poisonous	pounce	pounces	praise
provided	pupils	recognize	regularly	related
rough	scent	scruffy	section	separate
shallow	shelters	shower	suffocate	surfaces
swallowed	swallows	sweater	tapeworms	tearing
teaspoon	territory	tongues	trusts	twitches
wailing	whiskers	yogurt