Posted by Jeanne on December 19, 2008
You need to make sure that you read the label on the food that you are getting for your cat. Although it may seem strange because your cat is a pet, his nutrition is still just as important as yours is. This is why you should read the ingredients so that you are aware of what is in the food you are giving your cat. You also need to pay attention to what formula of cat food that you are purchasing. They have food for adult cats, kittens, aging cats, cats on diets, and everything in between. You don’t want to be feeding your kitten adult food and vice versa.
After picking up the right food for your cat, there is matter of where to feed your cat, when to feed your cat, and how much to feed him. If you have never owned a cat before, this can be quite a tricky process to figure out all on your own. First and foremost, you need to find a place that is ideal for your cat to eat at.
Think about it from your cat’s perspective. You really wouldn’t want to eat while adults and kids are running all around you and being loud. This is why you need to find a place that is quiet and accessible for your cat to have his food and water bowls
. Once you decide on a particular place, don’t keep changing it around because cats don’t always deal well with that type of change.
Keep in mind that your cat might make a bit of a mess when he is drinking and eating, so it may not be wise to put the food and water in an area that is going to be ruined by the mess. You also need to make sure that you are keeping the bowls clean and changing the water out on a regular basis to avoid your cat getting sick.
It is good to get your cat into the habit of eating at a particular time each day. Just as humans eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at certain times, so should your cat. Of course, this might not be quite so easy if you are away from the house during the day, but there is a solution. If your cat is eating dry cat food, you can simply put the entire day’s ration into the food bowl, and your cat can eat from it throughout the day.
If you aren’t sure you want to put it all in, you can choose to put half of it in the bowl. It’s really up to you and your schedule as to what a regular and convenient feeding schedule will be, but it is wise to get a regular pattern started.
The schedule below will give you some ideas as to how to coordinate your cat’s feeding schedule based on his age:
- At 4 to 6 weeks, give him 1/2 to 1 ounce three to four times day
- At 7 weeks to 6 months, give him 1 to 3 ounces three to four times day
- At 7 months to 1 year, give him 3 ounces two times a day, or you can leave 6 ounces in his bowl all day
You also can look on the package of cat food that you buy for what they suggest you feed your cat.
Just as there are certain things that you need to keep in mind when feeding your cat, there are also certain things that you shouldn’t do when feeding your cat.
- You shouldn’t give your cat bones. Chicken bones, pork bones, and fish bones are a big no because they can cause quite a bit of damage to your cats tummy and throat that could lead to a trip to the veterinarian or worse.
- A good tip for any animal is not to give your cat leftovers from the table. Although you think that you are doing them a favor by giving them a treat, you could be making a bigger problem when your cat begins to avoid his cat food.
- Cats can’t eat two foods in particular: chocolate and onions. These foods are considered toxic foods to your cat.
- Despite what you may have seen on television or in the movies, cats do not need to drink milk. If you give milk to your cat, you might find yourself cleaning up after an icky mess since it can cause diarrhea.
- The last tip is not to feed your cat any other animal’s food. He needs the nutrients that are in his cat food, and dog food won’t quite give them what he needs.
As time goes on and you have your cat, you will find out what foods or pet foods your cat can tolerate.
Just because you like to switch your food around because something was cheaper at the store or a new product looked better, doesn’t mean that your cat should jump around from one cat food to another. Pets are funny this way. Once he becomes used to a certain type of food, switching to another brand because it was on sale doesn’t always agree with his stomach.
If it happens that you want to switch your cat’s food, then you need to do it slowly. Do not just decide to replace cat food A with cat food B the next day. If you do so, you might find you have a cat with a very upset stomach. To switch your cat’s food without all of the digestion trouble, you will need to put just a bit more into each meal. This process can take a few weeks before the switch is complete.
There might also come instances that you need to consult with your veterinarian about your cat’s food needs such as if your female feline becomes pregnant or if your cat has health problems that are related to what he eats.
Posted by Jeanne on December 17, 2008
Any time you choose to get a new pet, you need to make sure that you have everything you will need to take care of that pet. Cats need certain things. Before you get your cat or kitten, you might want to make sure they have everything they need before they come to your home.
Below is a list of the different materials you will need to make a home for your cat. The list is followed in more detail as to what you need to consider with each item.
Although these seem like simple items, there are certain things to consider before you go out and buy the most expensive of everything.
Your Cat Must Eat and Drink
The food and water bowl do not have to cost you a fortune. You do not have to go out and buy one with your pet’s name on it unless you want to. Mainly, they just need to be easy to clean and heavy so they won’t tip over easily. Because it is possible that your cat might be allergic to plastic, it might be a good precautionary note to opt for the stainless steel bowls. You also need to make sure that your cat has food and water in his bowls as well.
Litter Box and the Materials That Go In Them to Clean Up Messes
Unless you plan to teach your cat how to use the toilet, you will need to purchase a litter box and everything that goes in it. This involves the litter box, the scoop, and the litter. If you have a kitten, it is important that the litter box is not so big that they cannot get into it. However, you need to get a litter box that is big enough for a full-grown cat.
What many cat owners may not know is that the litter boxes that have hoods or covers may actually trap foul-smelling odors and make your cat unwilling to use the litter box. It may be a good idea to avoid these altogether.
Another helpful tip is to keep some sort of garbage container next to the litter box to make it easier to scoop the box on a regular basis. Just make sure that the container you choose will keep the odor inside the container and out of your room. The last item is, of course, to find litter that works best for you and your cat. There are many varieties available that have odor control and clump better. What you choose is up to your own preferences.
You Have a Bed, Your Cat Needs One Too
Your pet needs a place to lie down, sleep, and take a nap. A cat bed will also help keep your cat from taking his naps on your bed or couch. This doesn’t mean that you have to spend a fortune or have it monogrammed, but it does mean that you need to look for something comfortable. A good choice is a bed that your cat will be able to snuggle in. You can choose from nesting beds, mats, or perches.
Your choice will depend on your cat’s sleeping habits and what will fit best in your home. Also, don’t be irritated if your cat doesn’t take to his new sleeping domain right away. It might take time, or your cat might not adapt to it at all. A good tip is to find a bed that is washable so that any messes are easy to clean. It’s also a good idea to put the bed wherever your cat likes to sleep or in a quiet area.
Scratch a Post or Scratch Your Couch – It’s Up to You
Cats need to stretch and exercise their arms and legs, just like humans do. Unfortunately, they choose to do this by scratching things since no one has invented a gym for cats. To avoid having them scratch your furniture, it might be a good idea to invest in a cat scratching post, and the sooner the better. A scratching post will help your cat realize that he has his own piece of furniture to claw up and to leave yours alone.
When buying a scratching post for your cat, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. First, you need to make sure that the scratching post is actually tall enough for your cat to be able to get the full effect. This is so he can completely stretch his body out and still have room to spare. Next, make sure that it won’t fall over as soon as it has something leaning against it, or your cat will be tipping it over all of the time.
If your cat already has a few bad habits, such as scratching furniture, you might need to train your cat to use the post instead. This might take a little time and patience. If you make sure your cat is playing with it whenever you are around, he will begin to get the idea. It also helps if it is in an accessible area to your cat.
Getting Your Cat from One Place to Another
Since you may have realized that trying to transport your cat or anyone else’s for that matter is no easy task, it is smart to invest in a cat carrier. A cat carrier is great for a cat or a kitten. It will enable you to transport your cat from point A to point B with little to no damage or injury. In addition, you will not have to worry about your cat plunking around in your car or attaching himself to you with his claws while you are driving.
A cat carrier is the best choice all around and will help your cat feel secure as well. Since there are a variety of different cat carriers to choose from, it will depend largely on your preference and how much you want to spend. It’s a good idea to make sure that the carrier is big enough to fit your cat and allow him to move around while in it.
Keeping Your Cat Entertained
Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a fortune on toys for your feline friend. This is largely because they will play with whatever it is you have handy. Whether it is a string, a leaf, wrapping paper, or a ball, they will be completely content swatting it, biting it, and tearing it apart. Of course, many of these items that you have lying around your house are not the safest for kittens and cats, nor do you want them thinking that it’s OK to chew on whatever they want. This is why it’s important that they have some of their own toys.
You can choose to go through your house and find toys that will be safe for your cat or to go to the store and purchase a few cat-designated toys. Some toys that are safe to give your cat that you find around the house are:
- Small balls that bounce, but they can’t chew apart and aren’t so small that they will get caught in their throat
- Sewing supplies such as a empty wooden thread spool
- Balled up paper
Items around the house that you should NOT give your cat or kitten for health and safety reasons:
- Balls of string, yarn, or spools with thread on them
- Anything with wire in it
- Anything aluminum or cellophane
- Plastic bags
- Rubber bands
- Anything that is sharp or pointy
- Anything that can break and hurt your cat
- Anything that they can chew off and get stuck in their throat
You can find many fun and colorful cat toys at your local supermarket or pet store. The key is to use your judgment before you buy any of them. Carefully look them over and make sure they won’t become hazardous to your cat as he plays with them. It’s smart and cost effective to start out with a few toys so that you can see what your cat chooses to play with and what he does’t. In addition, it’s important to note that some cat toys should only be used when you are there playing with your cat or kitten.
A Collar, Leash, and Harness for Your Cat
A collar is a very important thing if you have a cat who enjoys both the indoors as well as the outdoors. An important thing to keep in mind when buying a collar for your cat is that if he is quite active and curious, you will need to find a collar that can break away. Although a breakaway collar seems somewhat strange, it is really in the best interest for your cat and his safety.
If your cat is outdoors or even inside and his collar gets caught on something, you do not want them to choke. That is why it’s important to look for a breakaway collar. You should have your kitten or cat begin wearing his collar as soon as possible so that he becomes accustomed to it.
Also, make sure that your cat has some identification on his collar if he gets lost or finds himself out of your house. You can also choose to purchase a leash and a harness if you wish to take your cat or kitten out for a walk. If you have the opportunity to train him how to walk with a leash when he is young, he will adapt to it much better.
Not all cats like the leash around their neck. That is why it might be necessary to purchase a harness that will be more comfortable for the cat and give you more control.
What You Will Need to Groom Your Cat
Grooming is a big part of having a cat, especially if you have a long-haired cat. You will need to have the proper grooming tools, even if you have a short-haired cat. Mainly, you will need to have a flea comb and a brush. However, the tools that you will need depend largely on what type of fur your cat has. Grooming is important to prevent hairballs, and it will help to cut down on how much cat hair will be on your furniture.