How to take
of your cat
Caring for a cat is a rewarding journey filled with love, play, and companionship. Whether you're a new pet parent or a seasoned cat lover, understanding your cat’s basic needs is the first step to building a happy and healthy life together. Here’s a simple guide to help you give your cat the best care possible.
Basic Care for cat
Feeding & Fresh Water
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Cats require taurine, an essential amino acid, for heart and eye health. The food you choose should be balanced for the life stage of your cat or kitten. Properly balanced foods will contain taurine.
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Many people feed baby food to a cat or kitten who is refusing food or not feeling well. Please read labels carefully: If the baby food contains onion or garlic powder, your pet could be poisoned.
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Take your pet to your veterinarian if signs of anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting or lethargy continue for more than two days.
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Always keep a supply of clean, fresh water for your cat to help them stay hydrated. Wild cats avoid stagnant water that may be home to harmful bacteria or parasites. As a result, many domesticated cats may instinctively avoid drinking water that hasn’t been replaced, so make sure to replace the water in their bowl daily. Choose a shallow, wide bowl that won’t irritate their whiskers. You can also try a recirculating water fountain.
Groom your cat
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Although cats are excellent at grooming themselves, grooming your cat will be necessary from time to time, especially for longhaired breeds. Whether it’s nail trimming, bathing or brushing, make sure you have the right tools on hand to get the job done.
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For shorter-haired cats, you may need to brush your cat only once or twice a month; with longer-haired breeds, it may be a daily requirement. Nonetheless, when your cat is shedding, it’s advisable to brush them with increased frequency to prevent the floors and furniture from being covered in hair.
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Bathing your cat can occur less often. Cats are adept at keeping themselves clean; however, if your cat’s fur has accumulated stubborn dirt or your cat has mobility issues preventing them from grooming themselves, it may be necessary. Also, hairless breeds need to be bathed weekly to remove body oils usually absorbed by cat hair. Make sure you have cat shampoo on hand and plenty of treats to reward their cooperation. Talk with your veterinarian to get specific recommendations for your cat.
Litter box for cat
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As a cat owner, a litter box and plenty of fresh litter should be a priority, as should proper litter box training. Since adult cats often instinctually look for a sandy surface when they need to eliminate, litter box training might not be necessary. Kittens usually need some training.
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As early as four weeks, kittens can start to learn how to use the litter box. Find one that is appropriate to the size of your cat. For example, a kitten might find a large litter box scary and try to avoid it. Therefore, find one that’s a bit smaller.
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Introduce your kitten to the litter box or boxes you have in your house and let them explore. Then, put your kitten in the litter box. On many occasions, kittens will instinctively know to eliminate in this location. If they don’t, however, don’t worry. Continue to place them in the litter box after naps, after meals or drinks of water. Eventually, they’ll get the hang of it and start to use the litter box independently.
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The general rule of thumb is to have one litter box per cat, plus one. So if you have two cats, you need three total litter boxes. You also want to keep the litter box separate from their food and water bowls.