If you are planning to bring a kitten home, you must be ready for the long term cat care. Taking on the job of caring for a little furry creature is a big responsibility and you need to be sure you are prepared to give the kitten a forever home. It is important to be aware in advance of what is involved in long term care before making this commitment.
Cats make wonderful companions, but you have to understand their needs and the care that they require. For instance you cannot just feed your feline friend your leftovers. You must determine the diet appropriate for a cat in nature and then find a quality cat food to purchase to keep him or her in good health.
- Provide fresh water daily! Clean, fresh water is essential for your cat’s good health, preferably non-chlorinated. If your cat doesn’t seem to drink well from a bowl, consider providing them with a cat fountain. Never give food or water in plastic bowls (ceramic, glass or stainless steel are best). Be sure to replenish the water with a fresh supply every day and clean the bowl regularly.
- Be certain you have the correct number of Litter Boxes! A general rule of thumb according to the professionals is to have one litter pan for each cat plus one more. For example, if you have 2 cats, you should have 3 litter boxes. To encourage good litter box habits (cats will not use full or smelly pans) keep the litter boxes clean. Scooping morning and evening is a good plan to follow. Regular cleaning will also help you notice any changes in your cat’s urine or stool, which could indicate a health issue (if kitty won’t use a clean litter pan it may be caused by a medical issue and you should take them to your Vet right away to be checked). The litter should always be un-scented and the pans should be placed in a quiet, easy to access location. Avoid moving the box once your cat has gotten used to the location. Dump all litter, wash with an un-scented detergent and refill at least once a month. (NEVER use ammonia, harsh cleaners or scented detergents when cleaning the litter box.)
- Provide multiple Scratching Posts and trim nails regularly! Surfaces for scratching will help to prevent damage to your furniture, and it will also meet an instinctual need in your cat. It also allows your cat stretch their muscles and keep their claws from becoming over-grown. Regular scratching on an appropriate surface (posts, rugs, trees, hanging boards, etc.) remove the old layers from your cat’s claws among other things. Cutting your cat’s nails every 3 or 4 weeks will keep them relatively blunt and less likely to harm people or furniture. (You can use a human toenail clipper or a nail trimming tool designed for cats. Have your Vet demonstrate or watch instructions on YouTube).
- Cats love to play and need regular play time to keep them occupied and healthy! They also need 15 minutes or so of play time with you to promote bonding and to be certain they are getting exercise. Toys (without small parts that could be ingested), fishing poles with feathers on the end, balls, cat springs and even empty boxes make for great amusement. Cat toys needn’t be expensive (some of their favorites are hand-made). The important thing is to be sure they are getting plenty of exercise and that they are kept active, and mentally engaged…..so they are less likely to get into mischief or become overweight.
- Do not feed your cat random commercial pet foods which are loaded with unhealthy ingredients! Your cat needs foods as similar to what they would get in nature as possible in order to stay in good health. Be sure your cats get plenty of moist food that is also grain-free and high in animal protein! Wet/canned food helps keep their kidneys, bladder and urinary tract healthy. A diet of primarily dry food is very bad for your cat. Where would your cat get dry food in nature? When they get a diet of mostly dry food it eventually takes a negative toll on their health. Note: Cats have limited ability to digest carbohydrates, so grain-free foods are the best.
- Never give your cat any medicine of any kind unless recommended by a Vet or other Professional! Cats are very sensitive to perfumes, chemicals, essential oils, various plants and similar things. For example, did you know that acetominophin, xylitol, lillies and aspirin can be FATAL to your cat?! Keep mouse poison or other pesticides away from your cat. If you suspect that your animal has ingested a poisonous substance, call your emergency vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for 24-hour animal poison information at (888) 426-4435.
- Two important health supplements that many cat owners neglect to provide are Cat Grass and Probiotics.
- Organic wheat or barley grasses are very easy to grow. Just put the seeds in non-treated garden soil in a planter in a sunny spot and keep them watered. This will provide your cat or kitten with minerals and other nutrients that would be available to them in nature. Living green grasses provide an element of good health for your cat that cannot be gained any other way. In the wild cats will eat a little grass nearly every day.
- Probiotics are an extremely beneficial supplement for your cats. Probiotics are good bacteria which can be found in healthy intestines. They aid in digestion, immune function and more. Sprinkle/mix a pet probiotic as directed on the kitty food every 3-4 days to help keep their digestive and immune systems health. If your pet has been through a surgery or a sickness you can give the recommended dosage every day for a while to help build them back up.
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