Tigers, lions, bobcats, mountain lions and domestic cats are all related to your companion feline. Cats have been domesticated for more than 5,000 years, ever since human beings began to farm and needed cats to control rodents at home and in grain storage areas.
Before You Bring
Your Cat Home You will need high-quality cat or kitten food, a food dish, water
bowl, interactive toys, brush, comb, safety cat collar,scratching post, litter
and litter box.
1.Feeding
An adult cat should
be fed one large or two or three smaller meals each day. Kittens from 6 to 12
weeks must eat four times a day. Kittens from three to six months need to be
fed three times a day. You can feed your adult cat specific meals, throwing
away any leftover canned food after
30 minutes, or keep dry food available at all times. Provide fresh, clean water
at all times. Wash and refill water bowls daily. Please note that cow’s milk is
not necessary and can cause diarrhea in kittens and cats.
If your kitten is
refusing food or isn’t eating enough, try soaking her kitten food in warm
water. If that doesn’t work, kittens can be fed human baby food for a short
time. Use turkey or chicken baby food made for children six months and older.
Gradually mix with cat food.
2.Grooming
Most cats stay
relatively clean and rarely need a bath, but you should brush or comb your pet
regularly. Frequent brushing helps keep your cat’s coat clean, reduces the
amount of shedding and cuts down on hairballs.
3.Handling
To pick up your
cat, place one hand behind the front legs and another under the hindquarters.
Lift gently. Never pick up a cat by the scruff of the neck or by the front
legs.
4. Housing
Cats should have a
clean, cozy place of their own in the house. Line your cat’s bed with a soft,
warm blanket or towel. Be sure to wash the bedding often. Please keep your cat
indoors. If your companion animal is allowed outside, he can contract diseases,
get ticks or other parasites, become lost or get hit by a car, hurt in a fight
or poisoned. Also, cats prey on native wildlife.
5. Identification
If allowed outdoors
(again, we caution against it!), your cat must wear a safety collar and an ID
tag. A safety collar with an elastic panel will allow your cat to break loose
if the collar gets caught on something. And if your cat is indoors-only, an ID
tag or an implanted microchip can help insure that he is returned if he escapes
and becomes lost.
6. Litter Box
All indoor cats
need a litter box, which should be placed in a quiet, accessible location. A
bathroom or utility room is a good place for your cat’s box. In a multilevel
home, one box per floor is recommended. Avoid moving the box unless absolutely
necessary. Then do so gradually, a few inches a day. Cats won’t use a messy,
smelly litter box, so scoop solids out of the box at least once a day. Dump
everything and wash with a mild detergent and refill at least once a week; you
can do this less frequently if using clumping litter. Don’t use deodorants or
scents, especially lemon, when cleaning the litter box.
7. Scratching
Provide your cat
with a sturdy scratching post, at least 3 feet high, which allows her to
stretch completely when scratching, and is stable enough that it won’t wobble during
use. It should be covered with rough material, such as sisal, burlap or tree bark,
to further prevent household destruction. Cats also like scratching pads. To
train a cat to use a post or pad, rub your hands on the scratching surface and
then gently rub the kitty’s paws on the surface. If your cat starts to scratch
furniture or rugs, gently say no and lure her over to the scratching post.
Praise your cat for using the scratching post or pad. Sprinkle it with catnip
once or twice a month to keep her interested in it.
8. Ear Mites
These tiny
parasites are a common problem that can be transmitted from cat to cat. If your
cat is scratching at his ears or shaking his head, he may be infested with ear
mites. You will need to call for a veterinary appointment, as the cat’s ears
will need to be thoroughly cleaned before medication is dispensed.
No comments