In our last article, we talked about the Tips For Taking Care of A Pet Dog. In this article, we will discuss about the Tips For Taking Care Of A Pet Cat. Cats are different than dogs, meaning that they are not as cuddly as dogs.
They are very conscious about their space and they are not the ones who like to roll in a mud puddle, but that doesn’t mean that all the cats are same. They may be similar, but can be as affectionate as a dog.
So, let’s get started without any further ado. Here we go!
1. Selecting a breed of cat :
Choosing the breed of cat which is suitable for you and your family (if you live in a family) is very important. Because some breeds are easy to take care of, while many are hard to look after.
For example, the Siamese, need to be groomed a lot because they have long hair, while the Bengal, requires to play a lot and need to be simulated as they are quite active.
2. Do your research before bringing any pet cat to your house :
Never ever, bring a pet cat either from a shelter, a breeder or a stray cat and from anywhere else into your house without doing a complete research about the cat you have/want.
Each and every cat is unique and just like us, humans are an individual. So find out about the cat before finalizing that you want to keep a specific cat.
3. Prepare your house according to their needs :
Just like a dog, you will require to have a bedding, a scratching post, food and water bowls, toys and treats (we can’t forget them). A litter box is a must! Don’t forget it because cats are different from dogs when it comes to their popo business.
4. Tips for Cat Proofing Your Home :
Cats have a curious nature, and this means they are very curious. So to help save your home and your cat from any mishaps which includes health and safety issues, you should “catify” you home. In short, you should cat-proof your home according to the needs of your pet cat.
One of the most useful tips is you have to keep the bedding or anywhere your cat likes to sit or stay warm. Because they like warmth, but remove anything danerous from their surroundings such as matchsticks, or any material which contains chemicals.
Toys made from chemical and toxic free material. Windows and doors are latched and secreened. You should provide spaces like a cat tower or steps made of woods to let them move and explore new places in your home to satiate their curiosity.
Cats may crawl under the mattress and couches so make sure that you keep an eye on them.
Electric cords or wires are opened and dangling which may cause them to be electrocuted.
Heavy items and things which may pose threat like medicines, creams are always kept out of their reach. Because they mey ingest them and break things especially made up of glass. This includes plants as well.
Toxic fluids such as cleaners, chemicals used for cleaning and inflammable liquids should be kept away and in a closed container away from the reach and in non-breakable, plastic containers, as when they get toppled down they may break and the cat can ingest that.
5. Keeping the right litter boxes :
You may be wondering why I am writing this, that is because cats are quite sensitive to smells and they don’t like it when the place they do their popo business is not clean. It is their instinct to hide it that it why you must have noticed that whenever they do popo they try to hide it.
Choosing the appropriate size of litter box and it will be good if you keep one extra box in another room. Like if you have a cat, then you will need two litter boxes in two different rooms. Keep it clean and put it in a quiet room where they feel safe and nice.
6. Schedule regular veterinary visits :
Regular visits to the vet helps to control diseases which can be detected early and treated while ensuring that your pet stays healthy and happy.
Once a year or monthly wouldbe sufficient but it should be on a fixed time and date. This way you can keep in track of the vaccines which are given or not to the pet, health issues which can be treated early.
If you notice any behavioral change for example, changes in sleeping cycles, low energy levels, lethargy, or no appetite, etc. then you must consult the doctor to treat whatever health issue your pet is facing.
7. Consider spaying or neutering your cat :
Diseases may happen to you furbaby in reproductive organs, so to avoid it from happening you should consult your vet for neutering or spaying.
It reduces the risk of developing tumors in females cats known as mammary tumors. While it significantly reduces the risk of testicular cancer and prostrate problems in male cats.
Neutering male cats reduces their urges to roam and this helps to reduce the risk of getting lost or injured some place far away from home.
This also helps in reducing the number of homeless cats which ends up in shelter.
This also helps your pet live a healthier, happier life but the vet will help you decide what is the best for your fur companion.
8. Maintain a healthy diet and weight :
Cats also need to maintain a weight which is suitable according to their age and size and other details like their breed. If not maintained it can develop health issues such as Obesity or being Overweight.
This can be avoid by providing a healthy diet and exercising. You can talk to your vet about the food and whats things to avoid for example, Bengal cats need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation but American Shorthair and Ragdolls do not need too much exercise, a little exercise is enough for them.
Your vet may consider to give dry food to your cat such as kibbles, which comes in many varieties, from multiple sellers, different quality and ofcourse made from many different ingredients. So to avoid giving too much food, you can consider getting an automatic pet feeder which will help you to keep in check how much food is given to the cat and routine can be set as well.
And for exercising, a plethora of cat toys are available to choose from. You can buy from the pet store, or online from Amazon or pet stores which offer online shopping.
9. Provide water all the time :
Hydration is necessary for a good health. Provide safe drinking water aa the time so that they are not thirsty and avoid being dehydrated. Also when you give them dry cat food make sure that you provide water with the food.
10. Don’t Feed Your Cat Too Much Dry Food
Cats are pure carnivores so that means meat will be the staple food in their diets. Their main meal should be meat with dry food and supllements, if directed by the vet.
But consumption of too much dry food is not advisable. As this causes a threat to develop some serious health issues. It is seen that the cats who consume a lot of dry food are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and obesity than those who are not consuming too much dry food.
It is also not adviced to give dog food to cats. They both are different in the ingredients and compositions. But you may provide wet cat food, occasionally, or with dry food.
11. Train your cat to use a scratching post
Scratching is an instinctual behavior of cats which proves to be disastrous for the pet parents. But for the cats it is considered as healthy and important behaviour.
Scratching is important to remove the old layers from the cat’s claws and keep it healthy. To do so you can choose thinbs like carpets, sisal and cardboards. They will use this for scratching which in return will keep their claws in good condition and no damage to your furniture will be done.
It will take time to introduce your cat to the scratching post but believe me they are going to love it and you will too.
12. Weird cat behaviors explained –
A very bothersome behavior you may come across is at that moment when your kitty pees everywhere else except the litter box.
But they not do this everywhere. They may do this in a specific place like your bed or couch. But why is it happening? You may wonder this and get worried by this sudden weird change and behavior of your cat.
Well, there can be many reasons behind this, and the best way to take care of this is to take your cat to the vet. They may explain this change in your kitty.
Most of the time it may happen becaue of urinary tract infection. But this is not necessarily be the case always. It may be caused due to other illnesses which after being examined by the vet will be treated.
After knowing the health issues your kitty may be facing, you can make sure that the kitty’s preferences for the placement of litter boxes, litter boxes and other things are checked. You can also try changing the sizes, types and spaces where the litter boxes are kept. Keep the boxes clean and keep them somewhere where the kitty can easily get the access of the boxes.
13. Other behavior which may confuse you –
You definitely have wondered why your cat brings something like a stick, a leaf or sometimes a mouse, a live mouse or some uncoventional gift such as a not so pleasing cockroach (live or dead).
Then worry not you are not the only pet parent who is confused by this behavior. This usually happens when your cat wants to show you soem love or gratitude. This is their way of showing how much they love us.
They may even make a sound which is called Purring, and head bunting as well. Head Bunting occurs when a cat touches their cheeks and forehead on an object. A way of marking the territory to keep away rival cats.
They may even head bunt you to mark you and show their affection to you and bond with you in a better way.
They may even do some kneading as if they are kneading a dough (it looks super cute!), so worry not as thye are just showing their love for you in a very different and unique way.
14. Is Declawing good or bad?
You must have heard about declawing your cat, and may even do this but is this actually good or bad for you furbaby?
Declawing involves not just taking out the nails of a cat but also removing the last bone of each toe and may cause trouble for them. You may not know but declawing is also banned in many countries, in fact in many states of the U.S. the rule is followed.
This not only makes them lose their nails but cats need to scratch but declawing takes away this ability as well. You shouldn’t do this no matter what, because this is harmful for the cats.
Instead of this practice you may provide them with scratching toys and posts. Train them to stay away from the danger zone and from destroying your furniture and stuff and trim their nails regularly.
15. Introducing your cats to babies :
Just like a pet dog, a pet cat will also take some time to adjust to the new addition of a family member. So it is advisable to give time to accept and adapt to new changes and to recognize new member and learn how to be around them.
Keep them away from the newborn babies as they may cause them difficulty in breathing, may cause a scratch accidentally and scare them away.
16. Are diseases spread from cats?
Well it is rarely happen that the diseases are spread to people through cats, but prevention can be done. From bites especially as they may develop infection and if not treated may become a very serious disease.
So you should look after the cuts, scratches, bite marks and wash them with soap and water and do not neglect if their is swelling, redness, itching or any liquid oozing from the spot.
Handing of litter boxes should be done properly. Washing hands after cleaning the litter boxes and throwing away the waste which can’t be flushed in the dustbin or sealed away in the bags.
17. Magicballs or Hairballs?!
Cats may produce hairballs which you may have found magically and have your toss and turn in your bed thinking about how possibly how these balls have come.
Unlike dogs, cats have rough tongue with little projections swhich captures the hair while they are grooming themselves and ingest in between the process.
You may have noticed as well while your cat licks your hand or anywhere that it hurts. This is beacause of these projections.
But most of these hair are passed down and does not stauy inside thei bodies but the rest of these hair comes back in the form of hairballs. Note that it is completely normal to see one or two hairballs a day or few balls in a week but if they are too much big in the size and are causing blockages in your cat’s body parts such as throat(esophagus), stomach or intestines, then you should without any delay take your kitty to the vet.
The best way is to keep your cat groomed by brushing them and remembering when they have shedding periods and brushing them before they groom themselves.
18. What to feed, and some things to keep in mind :
Itbis always recommended that you buy high-quality, branded and food which is from a trustworthy seller. The vet will tell you what food will be the best for your kitty after a careful examination. Never give your kitty old or expired food. Always provide fresh and good food to your fur companion. These tips to take care of a pet cat will be beneficial not just for you but everyone.
Notes :
Treats shouldn’t be given in access and should cmake up no more than 10% of their diet. Meaning no matter how much they make cute faces and meow at you no treats for them more than the recommended amount.
Balanced food which have all the essential minerals and vitamins required by your cat should be provided with fresh and clean water, all the time no matter what.
Foods containing garlic, onion or any ingredients which are from the leeks and onions family should be avoided. Keep in mind that human food should not be given, especially the things which have garlic, white onions, spring onions, leeks, scallions, shallots, chives.
Immediately take your pet to the vet if signs of anoxeria, diarrhea, vomiting, weight lose, no appetite, or lethargy is noticed in the cat and it persists for more than two days.
That’s it for today! I hope you got all your answers in this blog and we are going to discuss about other pets as well in our next blog. I’ve included all the tips to take care of your pet cat in the best way.
If you missed our last post about taking care of pet dogs you can read by clicking below :
https://www.wildnyou.com/tips-for-taking-care-for-a-pet-dog/
Stay tuned, for more information. Take care and give treatos to all the lovely babies out there!
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