Cats make beautiful, charming, loving companions. Their natural independence makes them a great choice for the pet owner who wants a furry friend without tons of work. That being said, there are some basics to cat care that every owner should know and embrace. Once you have them down, you are on your way to being the perfect cat companion.
Healthy Food and Clean Water
Choosing the right cat food and giving your cat access to plenty of clean water is the number one thing you can do for your cat's health and well-being. They need mostly protein, with some fat and carbohydrates, as well as certain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in their diets. Most commercial cat foods have the right mixture of what your kitty needs, but to be sure, look for foods that say they are AAFCO approved.
Two of the big reasons why choosing a food is important are that you don't want your cat to become obese and that imbalanced food can have unpleasant health consequences. Feline obesity can lead to arthritis, diabetes, and problems with the cat's organs. Some other common health issues associated with a poor-quality diet include a decreased immune system, heart disease, and diarrhea. High quality cat foods and ample water are known to prevent things like developing painful crystals in cat urine and pancreatitis.
Clean Litter
Choosing the right litter box and maintaining it will be key to your cat's quality of life and yours. Make sure to choose a box the cat can get in and out of comfortably and big enough for it to move around in. Buy good quality kitty litter, preferably a kind that absorbs odors and is easy for you to clean. Last, but not least, keep it clean.
Grooming
Cats are natural groomers. They enjoy and spend significant time every day cleaning themselves. Compared to dogs, that makes grooming cats a cinch. You can help your cat look and feel great with some brushing. Brushing helps prevent your cat's fur from developing mats. Short haired cats need a good brushing about once a week. The longer the cat's hair, the more frequent it should be brushed.
As you brush, keep an eye out for the overall health of your cat's fur and skin. Look for evidence of fleas and other parasites. Occasionally, your cat may need a bath. Indoor cats will need one only if they get something on them that they need help getting off, like if they are accidentally spilled on. Outdoor cats, cats with long fur, elderly cats, and cats with special needs may need bathing more often because they can't keep up with their own care.
Mental Exercise
Cats are naturally intelligent and curious. Keep them happy with new and varied toys. The toys don't have to be expensive. Paper bags, empty boxes, and string can provide hours of entertainment. The key is variety. Change it up!
Kitty Instincts
Your cat is who he is. Cats need to hunt, and instinctively prefer to hunt in the dark, which is why your cat may sometimes zoom around your house in the middle of the night.
Cats need to scratch. Scratching is a way for them to groom their claws, to stretch, and to mark their territory. Give your cats pleasant and accessible places to scratch to help them feel comfortable and to save your expensive furniture.
Cats also need alone time. They like having places to hide and be left alone. When your cat retreats to a hiding place, give them their space. They will come out when they are ready to be social.
Vet Visits
Take your cat to the vet regularly. There are things your vet will look for that you can't see on your own. Take advantage of the vet's training and equipment for things like teeth cleaning, advice about issues you are having, and getting answers to any questions you have about taking good care of your feline friend especially if they were adopted and you don't know their full medical history.
Admiration and Love
Cats truly believe that you put on this earth to admire and love them. So do it! Tell your cat how pretty she is. Dote on them and show them you love them. They will respond with affection, purring, and grateful companionship. One of the best things about loving a cat is knowing that it chooses to love you back.
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