General Information on Cat Care
Before You Bring Your Cat Home:
You will need food, a food dish, a water bowl, interactive toys, a brush, a
comb, a scratching post and a litter box.
History:
All cats come from their cousins, the wild cats. Tigers, lions, bobcats,
mountain lions and companion cats are all related. Cats have been domesticated
for more than 5,000 years, and there are more than 41 recognized breeds.
Diet:
Premium-quality dry or canned cat food provides a healthy diet for your pet.
Fresh, clean water must be available at all times. All water bowls should be
washed and refilled daily.
Feeding:
An adult cat should be fed one large meal or two smaller meals each day.
Kittens 6 to 12 weeks old need to be fed four times a day, and kittens 12 to 24
weeks old need to be fed three times a day. Feed specific meals, and throw away
any leftover food after 20 minutes. Do not make food available all the time.
Housing:
Cats should have a warm, dry place of their own in the house. Line the bed
with something warm and soft -- a towel or blanket. Be sure to wash the bedding
often. It's safer to keep your cat indoors. Outdoor cats can get poisoned, hit
by cars and hurt in fights. They also are more apt to pick up diseases and
parasites.
Handling:
To pick up your cat, place one hand under his front legs and the other under
his hindquarters. Lift gently. Never pick up a cat by the scruff of the neck
(behind the ears) or by his front legs.
Health:
Your cat should see a veterinarian at least once a year for an examination
and shots. Also take your feline to a vet if he becomes sick or injured.
Carefully go over your cat's body at least once a week to check for fleas, ear
mites and bumps or cuts.
Litter Box:
All indoor cats need a litter box. The bathroom, utility room and back porch
are all good places to put the box. Always keep it in the same place. Scoop
solids out at least once a day. Dump everything, wash the box with a mild
detergent and refill it at least once a week. Cats won't use a messy, smelly
litter box!
Grooming:
Your cat will keep himself relatively clean. Most cats rarely need a bath,
but they do need to be brushed or combed. Frequent grooming helps keep your
feline's coat clean, reduces his shedding and reduces the number of hairballs he
will have.
Identification:
If allowed outdoors, a cat should wear a collar and an identification tag. A
safety collar -- one which has an elastic panel or is made out of popper beads
-- will allow your cat to free himself if the collar gets stuck on something. An
I.D. tag makes it possible for someone to return your pet to you if he should
become lost.
Claws:
All cats need to scratch to loosen old nail sheathes and allow new nails to
grow. Cutting your cat's nails every 10 to 14 days will keep them relatively
blunt and thus make them less likely to harm arms of both people and furniture.
Provide your cat with a sturdy scratching post covered with rough material such
as sisal, burlap or tree bark to further prevent household destruction. A
sprinkle of catnip once or twice a month will keep your cat interested in the
scratching post.
Play:
All cats delight in stalking imaginary prey. The best toys for cats are those
that can be made to jump and dance around. (The Cat Dancer and Kitty Tease are
good examples.) The cat will act out his predator role by pouncing on the toys
instead of people's ankles. Warning: Do not use your hands or fingers as play
objects with young kittens or your cat may have biting and scratching problems
as he matures.
Additional Cat Information:
Indoor cats live for 15 to 20 years.
It is important to spay (females) or neuter (males) your cat since he or she
can breed up to three times per year. This operation prevents your cat from
having unwanted litters and protects him from certain diseases of the
reproductive organs. Neutered cats seldom spray urine around the house to mark
territory, and are generally easier to own.
If your cat has fleas, try frequent flea-combing or using flea powder. Flea
collars for cats can irritate the skin on their necks.