 Show There’s nothing cuter than watching a cat chase a patch of light, using their paws to knead as if they’re baking bread, or climbing into everything and anything. That’s why the internet is practically made of cats, with millions of videos to show us just how adorable and funny these felines can be. But if you’re planning on adopting a cat or kitten, what’s the best way of caring for your fluffy friend?
Cats make for purrfect pets. They’re affectionate and clean, love to play and provide great companionship. In fact, they’ll love nothing more than curling up in your lap. Compared to dogs, cats don’t need lots of space for exercise. They’re also very independent, so will cope well at entertaining themselves. Follow our seven-step guide to ensure your feline family member stays happy and healthy.
1. Food Cats are carnivores, meaning they must eat animal protein to survive. Give your pet a high quality cat food suited to her life stage and health status. The first ingredient should always be meat. Avoid canned products with fillers such as corn and rice. RSPCA NSW recommends using dry food as the base of your cat’s diet. Canned food has been shown to increase the risk of dental disease in some circumstances, so may be better used as a treat, to entice fussy eaters, or for specific medical conditions. Cats also need some natural foods, such as fresh, raw meat; raw chicken wings; and raw, meaty bones. While many cats go crazy over fish, feeding them it exclusively doesn’t provide them with the correct fatty acids. Despite what many people think, cats can’t drink cow’s milk. It’s also important that your cat does not consume alcohol, avocado, chocolate, coffee, cooked bones, manufactured meat such as sausages, garlic, grapes, nuts or onions. Always ensure your cat has access to clean, fresh water.
2. Desexing It is very important that your cat, male or female, is desexed. This helps prevent unwanted litters and also has health benefits for cats, such as reducing the risk of developing cancer. For more information about desexing, click here.
3. Veterinary Care Cats need yearly visits to the veterinarian for vaccinations, boosters and general health checks. This includes vaccinations against cat flu. They also require regular flea control and worming, even if they are indoor-only cats. Cats also need help cleaning their teeth – look for treats which do this. Any changes in defecation, drinking, eating, urination, or weight loss or gain should be checked out with your veterinarian. For more information about cat flu, click here.
4. Grooming Many cats love being brushed and if you start when he’s young, he should become used to it. Grooming is especially important if your cat has long fur, as it will prevent fur balls and his hair from becoming matted. Regular grooming also provides bonding time and of course, will stop your house from becoming covered in fur! Flat-faced cats may also need some help cleaning their faces.
5. Litter trays Cats need access to a clean litter tray at all times. They should instinctively use this from a young age. Keep their litter tray in a quiet place away from their food and water. If you have more than one cat, they will need at least one litter tray each. Some cats prefer certain types of litter trays or brands of cat litter over others. Others may need their litter tray cleaning several times a day. If they’re not happy, or if they’re anxious or stressed, they might decide to urinate elsewhere. For more information about problematic litter tray use, click here.
6. Identification In New South Wales, you must have your cat microchipped and registered by law. Check with your local council for details. Make sure you keep the details on your cat’s microchip up to date. It is also a good idea to have a tag on your cat’s collar with your contact details, especially if she goes outdoors. For more information about microchipping, click here.
7. Why keep a cat indoors? RSPCA NSW advocates keeping cats inside. This keeps them safe from outside dangers, such as disease, injury, other cats, people and traffic. If your cat does go outdoors, we strongly recommends keeping him inside between dusk and dawn. Make sure your indoors cat is kept happy by ensuring he can always get his paws on:
Related articles Adopt a cat or kitten
Did you recently adopt or bring a new cat into the home? How exciting! There’s nothing like little meows from a fluffy kitty or the soft purr of a new feline friend. We are sure you are soaking up all the adorbs you can handle. But, if you are new to cat ownership, you may wonder how you can best take care of your kitty. That’s where the team at Union Lake Pet Services comes in! Let’s explore the art of caring for a new kitten or cat with 7 simple cat care tips for beginners. Cat Care Step 1: Setting UpTo begin, you will need to get all of your supplies for your pet. Basics include:
There are loads of other cat products and fun things, so don’t limit yourself to just our list if you want to spoil your kitty. We know you do! Cat Care Step 2: Cat Wellness ExaminationThe next step is to set your kitty up with a wellness appointment. Choose a low-stress cat carrier and use these tips for getting your cat to the vet. This initial meeting with your veterinarian will determine a baseline of health for your cat. From there, we can start them on a vaccination and parasite prevention program. For young kittens, you may need to come back in a few weeks for booster shots. Your veterinarian will recommend the right diet for your new little one, as well as instruct you on dental care and other things you can do at home. Some areas of concern are whether your pet has been spayed or neutered and if they’ve received their microchip. The best step you can take to reduce the chances of them getting lost is to microchip them and keep your contact information current on the registry. (Ask us about this.) Cat Care Step 3: Cat-Proof Your HomeConsider your wee buddy like you would a toddler. This means examining everything in the home for potential problems.
Cat Care Step 4: FeedingMaintain your veterinarian-recommended diet and portion size for your feline. Choose a schedule for feeding your cat each day, and stick to this routine as much as possible. Encourage your kitty to stay hydrated by changing the water bowls daily or using a water fountain type of bowl, since cats adore running water. Treats are great but use them sparingly in lieu of plenty of attention and pets. Cat Care Step 5: The LitterboxCats can be very particular about their litterboxes. You’ll want to be familiar with many of the most common litterbox challenges and how to address them. And get familiar with how to deal with cat pee accidents. Cat Care Step 6: Enrichment and ExerciseBecause cats spend most of their lives indoors, it is important to offer behavioral enrichment so that kitty doesn’t become bored. This includes:
Don’t assume your cat is getting enough exercise on their own. Obesity in cats is very common, and without those important interactive games you give your pet, they are susceptible to becoming overweight. Also, don’t leave your cat alone too long. Cat Care Step 7: Cat Behavior ProblemsYour sweet, docile ball of fur may develop behavior issues, especially if you add another cat. If your cat runs at every visitor or loud noise, you may need help to socialize a shy cat. Or you may have the opposite problem and have a cat that is a bully. Your kitty may become stressed and need your help in getting calm. And multi-cat homes can have feeding issues. We Are Your Partner for Complete Cat Care and Cat WellnessIf you recently added a cat to your home, we would love to meet them. Please schedule an appointment for their first wellness exam, or call for any questions you might have about excellent cat care. Enjoy your new fur friend! |
How to take care of a cat
Postagens relacionadas
direito autoral © 2024 comojogaruno Inc.
