?You may have heard that cats have nine lives. Well, maybe that’s true, but one thing is for sure — your cat can have a long and healthy life with the proper care. There are many things to consider when caring for a cat and we’ll cover them all in the following our tips:
How to Choose a Cat
If you’ve got your heart set on a particular size, age, sex, breed, or look of cat, do a little extra research before you set out to find one. You might be surprised to find that the look you?love?doesn’t fit well with your lifestyle. For example, if you like a quiet home, a Siamese may not be the cat for you: They’re notorious “talkers.” Likewise, a Persian is gorgeous to look at, but unless you’re committed to do almost daily grooming (or to pay a professional to do it every week or so), a nice shorthair cat might be a better idea. Do you travel a lot? Then you need a more mature cat — at least eight months old or more. Two cats are better still so they can keep each other company while you’re away.
A Cat Care Guide Can Make Your Life Easier
So you are ready to take the plunge and get started with your first pet, but then run into some stumbling blocks when it comes to cat care 101. What can you do about it? You will want to make sure that you know the basics of handling your new cat, just as you would if you were going to be the one taking care of a child.
It is important that you understand all of the basics so that you can guide your new friend in the right direction.
- As with any other animal, a cat needs to be taken out for a walk in order to give her some exercise.
- This is necessary for both your health and for their welfare.
- A walk will also help them get used to seeing you and your other family members, and it is a good thing too!
- The more time they spend around other people, the better they will get at communicating.
- This way, they will grow to trust you and your household better.
One of the most important aspects of cat care is to be sure that you have a feline friend that is healthy.
- You want to make sure that she has clean and fresh water all the time.
- Also, you should be sure that she has enough to drink on a regular basis.
- Cats are not known for their drinking skills, so it is important that you learn to take care of her on a more in-depth level.
- Cats love to snack, so you should take your friend out every day for snacks or give her treats if you are feeling particularly charitable.
- You should never be afraid to step outside of your own comfort zone when it comes to handling your cat’s needs.
- You don’t want to push yourself or take any unnecessary risks because you just feel nervous.
- Instead, take time out of your day to help out, while doing your best to keep everyone else safe and secure.
In addition, you might consider teaching your cat how to handle the litter box so that it doesn’t become an issue in the future.
One of the best things that you can do is to get a cat care sheet and use it as a guide throughout the entire process.
You can take the time to read this sheet out loud, as you learn, so that your new friend understands what you are asking of her.
When you and your friend are going through the proper steps to take, it will be up to you to follow through and act accordingly.
If you are unsure about a step, you should always check your cat care sheet for clarification.
Do your best to be understanding and patient when your cat is confused about the right direction to go.
In order to prevent any harm coming to you or your family, it is important that you are sure to remember your kitty’s safety and welfare first.
The most important thing is that you and your friends are safe and enjoy each other’s company.
You should always follow your cat care sheet to the letter, especially if you do not yet have a feline friend.
Just like you wouldn’t leave your child home alone, you should not leave your cat alone either.
It is very important that you take her to a reputable place to get trained, so you will not have to worry about that aspect.
To get started with cat care, you should find a trusted person that can help you train your friend.
They can teach you how to walk your cat, feed her, provide her with water, and generally make your life much easier in the long run.
These are all essential to making your pet happy and healthy.
Choosing an Indoor Cat vs. an Outdoor Cat
Perhaps nothing is as pitiful as the wail of a cat who wants to be on the other side of a door. When it’s the front door, many of us take that to mean that our cats won’t be truly happy unless they go outdoors. But, then again, most cats make the same kind of racket when they want to come inside (or, for that matter, when they want to get through any door). Do cats really want to go outside? Do they need to? And even if the answer to both questions is “yes,” is it really in their best interest?
What Is Some Cat Breeds For Beginners?
Many people want to know what the best cat breeds for beginners are. This is not a hard question to answer, as there are so many to choose from. The problem is finding the one that is right for you. It is hard to list all of the varieties, and it is even harder to choose the best one, since each one has its own peculiarities.
One thing to keep in mind when you are looking at some of the more popular cat breeds for beginners is that you do not have to worry about a lot of the nutritional requirements.
As with many pets, you will be required to feed them a certain amount of food a day, depending on the size of the cat, as well as the breed. Some cats need more, and some cats need less.
The only thing you should be concerned about is taking care of their coats, as most of these breeds can shed their hair and do not have good hair upkeep.
They also do not drink nearly as much water as you would like, and this can make them uncomfortable, as they become overweight.
When you look at the list of the popular cat breeds for beginners, you will notice some names that you will not recognize.
These are things that you should take into consideration when you are looking at what is available.
- For example, there are the FIV tolerant Bichon Frise, and even though they do not seem to make a huge fuss, they do not need to be touched.
- There is also the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, which is used as a show cat, as well as a friendly cat.
- Another is the Dalmatian, which is used for both dogs and cats.
- You will also find that there are American Eskimo Pointing cats.
Cat-Feeding Tips
The pet food industry is big business — and with good reason. There are well over 100 million?dogs?and cats living in American homes, plus who-knows-how-many more in shelters, catteries, and kennels across the country. To top it all off, you have thousands of people feeding strays. If you figure a single cat can go through some 90 pounds or more of cat food in a year, we’re talking about hundreds of millions of dollars being spent annually, just to feed the kitty.
Store-Bought Cat Food vs. Homemade Cat Food
The best thing about a home-cooked meal is you’re the one who gets to decide what’s in it. If you’re a steak-and-potatoes type, then you’ll broil up a nice lean Porterhouse and a batch of new reds. On the other hand, if you go for a green salad, you can pick your dinner fresh from the garden. Trying to cut down on?cholesterol?and salt? When you’re the cook, you make the call.
Cat-Grooming Tips
Ever wonder why some cats always look sleek and beautiful and others look like…well, like something the cat dragged in? While it’s true that some cats (like some people) are just born with “good hair,” a lot of it has to do with grooming. Now, cats are fastidious critters. They tend to take care of themselves pretty well, always licking their fur to keep it clean and in its proper place. But any cat can go from Fluffy to Scruffy without a little help from her human pals.
Longhair vs. Shorthair Cats
The magnificent coat of a champion Persian is truly a work of art. But you’d better believe that it took hours of regular grooming to get it — and keep it — that way. It’s common sense that the more hair there is to take care of, the more work that goes into it. The fluffier the cat’s hair, the more likely it is to form mats, too. These thick tangles of hair can be painful and even tear a cat’s skin if the mats get bad enough. Mats get embarrassing for a cat, too, since the only way to get rid of really bad ones is to shave them off. Nothing looks more uncomfortable than a cat who has been shaved.
Cat-Bathing Tips
Except for removing a mat or performing a medical procedure, there is almost no other reason to shave a cat’s hair. Cats are built to have a full coat of hair — taking it away can throw off regulation of their body temperature and expose the usually protected skin underneath. Trimming a longhair cat’s coat for appearances and to prevent tangles is fine, but it should be done by a professional groomer.
How to Take Care of Cats and Kittens – Step By Step Guide
The first step in taking care of cats and kittens is to make sure you know exactly what to expect from your pet.
If you can anticipate problems you can avoid them, and if you have a good understanding of the unique nature of a cat or kitten you can better serve your family pet.
Step one is to make sure that you have had the cat or kitten spayed or neutered.
This not only helps your animal keep a better shape physically, but it also improves their social and emotional well being.
Take the time to make sure that your pet gets the exercise that they need, as they are only as healthy as their bodies allow them to be.
It is best to avoid using electrical shock or medication on a cat or kitten before they reach this age, as these can put stress on their systems that they do not need.
Step two is to buy supplies and learn the basics of caring for a cat or kitten.
It is best to start with a kit such as Vetklep and then build up from there.
Some of the basic supplies to purchase include food and water dishes, feeders, toys, hoses, laundry basket, litter boxes, health products, shampoo, brush, and flea and tick treatments.
Just take your time and look for the best deal on everything that you will need.
Once you have everything together you can move on to the next step of how to take care of cats and kittens.
For the next step of how to take care of cats and kittens, it is important to understand the natural behaviors of your pet.
You should be able to recognize many of the signs that your cat or kitten displays, and try to avoid any unwanted behavior that you might not know about.
Some of the common signs that your pet might display are the following:
Step three is to become familiar with your pet.
Make an effort to spend time with your pet, and let them be a part of your family by buying treats, and playing with them regularly.
Often cats and kittens will respond well to physical contact, so give them affection by patting their heads, hugging them, and stroking their fur.
Step four is to begin teaching your pet basic commands such as “sit”, “lie down”, and “stay”.
It is often helpful to develop your pet’s sense of smell as a companion activity. Using aromatherapy and other natural methods, many cats and kittens learn how to control their sense of smell, which can be a great help in their overall health.
Steps five and six are important and should not be left out.
The more you can do to make your pet happy, the happier your entire family will be. Find the time to visit with your pet, play with them, and develop an overall friendly relationship.
These are some of the important steps on how to take care of cats and kittens.
You should always take into consideration the fact that your pets live only a short time on this earth, and you want to make the experience as easy and enjoyable as possible.
With a little work and some patience you can help your furry friend out as much as possible in their new home.
Taking Care of a Cat For the First Time
When you are looking for information on how to take care of a cat for the first time, there are a lot of tips and techniques you need to know.
The main thing you should keep in mind is that your pet has been an important part of your life for quite some time now. The first time you take care of it will be difficult but do not let that turn you off.
The first step on how to take care of a cat for the first time is to talk to your vet about your concerns. You need to give him a detailed description of your pet and the type of pets he/she comes from. The vet will then help you out in finding the right cat for you and your family.
Take note that there are certain types of cats that are more likely to have behavioral problems than others.
Many people want to adopt a fluffy cat or a happy and playful cat, but these kinds of pets do not fit well in a house with children.
This is why it is very important to know how to take care of a cat for the first time. And the first step is to determine if the pet will be safe around kids.
Once you know which type of cat you would like to adopt, you can start with the first step of how to take care of a cat for the first time: understanding how to take care of your pet.
Cats have different personalities and needs.
You need to get to know your pet well before you consider adopting him/her.
It is also important to learn as much as you can about the lifestyle of your pet in order to adopt him/her.
These are some of the basic things you need to know on how to take care of a cat for the first time.
Another thing you need to know on how to take care of a cat for the first time is the way to bring home your pet.
This will depend on how many pets you want to adopt.
If you already have a cat, you may want to use a carrier that will hold a number of pets.
For example, you can buy a carrier that will hold one cat, and another pet inside the same carrier.
If you already have a dog, the best way to bring home your cat is to use a crate that will hold a number of pets.
It is not easy to do the first time, so you need to make sure that you have all the supplies to care for your pet, including the right food and water.
Make sure that you only give your pet a small amount of food every day. This will ensure that he/she gets to eat while the cat stays in the carrier.
There are a lot of things to take note on how to take care of a cat for the first time.
It will also require a little patience.
However, there are many people who succeed with this task because they took time to prepare for it.
There are also many people who fail with this because they did not take the right time to prepare for it.
Taking Care of a Cat in an Apartment?
When you are taking care of a cat in an apartment, there are a few things you can do to make sure your furniture is not destroyed or damaged by your pet.
The first thing you should know is that it is difficult for cats to chew on furniture.
The majority of people do not realize this fact and they assume their furniture is safe.
There are some cats that like to chew on electrical cords, light fixtures, ornaments, and even people’s clothing.
If your cat becomes particularly fond of eating ornaments or clothes, it is important to keep your home lit up so your cat cannot climb through the window and chew on these items.
Another thing you can do is to create some sort of barrier to protect your space from your cat.
Most people find that carpeting is the most effective method of keeping your cat away from their furniture.
Cats that have a lot of activity around them tend to gnaw on and chew on any furniture they can get their claws on.
One way to create a barrier for your space is to use a section of carpet that you can take up and tuck it under a corner piece of furniture.
This can be a good option when you have a large area to protect.
Another option would be to take up several sections of carpet and place them along the edges of the furniture.
Once again, you will want to be careful when removing the carpet as this can be messy.
If you want to create a barrier that is sturdy and durable for your space, you can buy items made from steel wire.
You can purchase a wire all the way around the space of your furniture, covering it and preventing your cat from jumping on it.
It is a very durable material that you will want to keep up on a regular basis to keep your space looking attractive and well maintained.
You can also place small hammocks or lounges on your furniture for your cat to relax in while they are outside.
For people who are looking to take care of a cat in an apartment, it is important to use a few common sense tips to help them keep their furniture safe and protected.
Read more 😕Modkat Litter Box Kit Includes Scoop and Reusable Liner Review
