We know you’ll be thrilled to have your new cat in your home. Should you be thinking about adopting a cat, we recommend you check out your nearby shelter. You can browse our directory of adoptable cats in your area or use our shelter finder to begin your search.
Continue reading for helpful advice for first-time cat owners and anyone wanting to enhance their pet care abilities.
Fundamental Care
Nourishment
We suggest buying premium, brand-name food for kittens or cats. Your veterinarian can evaluate your new cat or kitten and suggest the ideal diet. Elements like age, activity level, and health influence how much and what a cat ought to consume.
Taurine: Cats require taurine, an essential amino acid, for heart and eye health.
The diet you select must be appropriate for the life stage of your cat or kitten, and correctly balanced meals will include taurine.
Fresh Water: You should provide fresh, clean water at all times, and wash and refill your cat’s water bowls daily.
Treats: Treats should be no more than 5-10% of the diet.
Baby Food: Many people feed baby food to a cat or kitten who is refusing food or not feeling well. Make sure to examine labels closely: if the baby food has onion or garlic powder, it could poison your pet.
Veterinarian Care: Take your pet to your veterinarian if signs of anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting, or lethargy continue for more than two days.
Grooming
Dear Lykkers, most cats stay relatively clean and rarely need a bath, but you should brush or comb your cat regularly. Regular brushing aids in maintaining your cat's fur cleanliness, decreases shedding, and lowers the chances of hairballs.
Management
To lift your cat, position one hand behind the front legs and the other beneath the back end. Raise softly. Do not lift a cat by the scruff or the front legs.
Accommodation
Your pet needs a clean, dry area in your home where she can sleep and relax. Place a cozy, warm blanket or towel inside your cat's bed. Make sure to launder the sheets frequently. Kindly ensure your cat remains indoors. Outdoor cats tend to have shorter lifespans compared to indoor cats. Cats that are outdoors face potential injury from vehicles, or from altercations with other felines, raccoons, and stray dogs. Coyotes are recognized for consuming cats. Cats that spend time outdoors are at a higher risk of getting infested with fleas or ticks, in addition to catching infectious diseases.
How to CARE for a KITTEN - Food, Education and Health
Video by AnimalWised
Recognition
If permitted outside, your cat should don a safety collar along with an ID tag. A safety collar featuring an elastic panel will enable your cat to escape if the collar gets snagged on an object. For both indoor and outdoor felines, an ID tag or a microchip can assist in making sure your cat is reunited with you if they get lost.
Cat Toilet
Every indoor cat requires a litter box, and it should be situated in a quiet and convenient spot. In a multi-story house, it is advisable to have one box for each level. Refrain from relocating the box unless it is essential, but if you need to, shift the box only a few inches each day. Remember that cats avoid using a dirty, odorous litter box, so be sure to remove solid waste from the box at least once daily. Empty everything, clean with a gentle detergent, and replenish every week; it can be done less often if using clumping litter. Avoid using ammonia, deodorants, or fragrances, particularly lemon, when maintaining the litter box.
Itching
Cats must scratch! When a cat scratches, the old outer layer of the nail is removed, revealing the sharp, smooth claws beneath. Trimming your cat’s claws every two to three weeks will maintain them fairly dull and reduce the chance of injuring the arms of both people and furniture. Supply your cat with a durable scratching post that is no less than three feet tall. The post needs to be sturdy enough to prevent wobbling while in use, and it should be wrapped in a coarse material like sisal, burlap, or tree bark. Numerous cats also enjoy scratching pads.
Wellness
Your cat needs to visit the veterinarian at least once a year for a check-up and annual vaccinations, and right away if she becomes ill or gets hurt.
Neuter and Spay
Female cats need to be spayed and male cats must be neutered by five months old.
Immunizations
Your vet will provide suggestions depending on your cat's age and condition.
