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Caring for Your Cat: The Top Ten Essentials
Although your cat may act independent and be
litter-trained, he still counts on you to provide him with food, water, safe
shelter, regular veterinary care, companionship, and more. Take care of these
ten essentials, and you'll be guaranteed to develop a rewarding relationship
with your feline companion.
- Outfit your cat with a collar and ID tag that includes your name,
address, and telephone number. No matter how careful you are, there's a
chance your companion may slip out the dooran ID tag greatly increases the
chance that your cat will be returned home safely.
- Follow local cat registration laws. Licensing, a registration and
identification system administered by some local governments, protects both
cats and people in the community.
- Keep your cat indoors. Keeping your cat safely confined at all
times is best for you, your pet, and your community.
- Take your cat to the veterinarian for regular check-ups. If you do
not have a veterinarian, ask your local animal shelter or a pet-owning friend
for a referral.
- Spay or neuter your pet. This will keep her healthier and will
reduce the problem of cat overpopulation.
- Give your cat a nutritionally balanced diet, including constant access
to fresh water. Ask your veterinarian for advice on what and how often to
feed your pet.
- Train your cat to refrain from undesirable behaviors such as scratching
furniture and jumping on countertops. Contrary to popular belief, cats can
be trained with a bit of patience, effort, and understanding on your part.
- Groom your cat often to keep her coat healthy, soft, and shiny.
Although it is especially important to brush long-haired cats to prevent their
hair from matting, even short-haired felines need to be groomed to remove as
much loose hair as possible. When cats groom themselves, they ingest a great
deal of hair, which often leads to hairballs.
- Set aside time to play with your cat. While cats do not need the
same level of exercise that dogs do, enjoying regular play sessions with your
pet will provide him with the physical exercise and mental stimulation he
needs, as well as strengthen the bond you share.
- Be loyal to and patient with your cat. Make sure the expectations
you have of your companion are reasonable and remember that the vast majority
of behavior problems can be solved. If you are struggling with your pet's
behavior, contact your veterinarian or local animal shelter for advice.
Up
Aggression Between Family Cats
Aggression Towards People
Caring for Your Cat
Cat Toys You Need Them
Common Cat Hazards
Common Poisonous Plants
Declawing Cats
Destructive Scratching
Discouraging Free-Roaming Cats
Eating Strange Objects (Such as Feces)
Fearful Cats
Introducing Pets to a New Cat
Kitten Behavior Basics
Kitten's Rough Play
Noisy Cats
Training Your Cat with Treats and Praise
Preventing Litter Box Problems
Removing Pet Stains and Odors
Solving Litter Box Problems
Urine-Marking Behavior
Using Aversives to Modify Your Cat's Behavior
Your CatIndoors or Out
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