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~ Feline Care ~Cats contribute so much to our own lives that you will want your cat to live a long and happy life. The benefits of feline companionship bring with them obligations to ensure that your cat receives the care and attention it needs. A cat is not a demanding pet to keep, however cats need adequate feeding, regular grooming and proper veterinary care throughout it's life. This page is all about feline care and what any cat owner should know about keeping their cat healthy. The sections covered are basic care and nutrition. Please also note that this page is only a summary of feline care. Cats also need a loving owner who is willing to devote time, love and attention to their cat. Basic Care Before you bring your new cat home, it is essential that you prepare for the new arrival. A cat must be provided with a litter tray, separate food and water bowls, a comfortable basket or bed, a carrier, and a comb or brush. It is also a good idea to provide toys as a cat will bond quickly with you through quality time spend playing with your cat. If you wish, you can also provide your cat with other useful items such as a scratching post or cat flap. If you are allowing your cat outdoors, it is also very important to provide your cat with a collar and name tag. Start training your cat at an early age to wear the collar by putting it on for a short period of time each day until the cat is used to wearing it. A collar must have an elasticated section so a cat can slip out of it should it get caught. The name tag should contain the cat's name and your address and telephone number. An identity microchip can also be injected under the skin of your cat's neck. This is the best way of tracing your cat should it get lost. Consult your vet for advice. One of the biggest responsibilities of caring for your cat involves taking it to the vet for regular check-ups, vaccinations and boosters. Choose a reputable vet in your neighbourhood and register your cat with the vet as soon as you bring it home. If your cat becomes unwell, never try to treat the cat yourself at home. Seek veterinary advice early to avoid your cat's condition worsing by delayed treatments. Unless you are planning on breeding from your cat, responsible cat owners must have their pets neutered at the appropriate age. This is ideally carried out when the kitten is six months old. The procedures for both male and female cats are routine and usually without complications. Feline Nutrition Cats require certain dietary needs and animal derived nutrients in it's diet. They are not vegetarians and are unable to live long on a completely meat-free diet. A well-fed cat is active and alert with bright eyes and glossy coat. Feed your cat prepared foods only from a reputable manufacturer at room temperature. Do not feed your cat food intended for a dog or another animal. Try to fed your cat at the same time of day and in the same place to establish a routine. A fresh bowl of water and dry cat food from a reputable manufacter to graze on should be available at all times. Food bowls and feeding utensils should be kept clean at all times. Your cat should be fed two or three small meals a day. Kittens require extra feeding. Please visit my new kittens page for more information on a kitten's dietary needs. The meals should be fresh and disposed of when the cat is finished. Your cat can also be served a treat of fresh food a couple of times a week. Cats love fresh fish and chicken. Make sure you carefully remove any small bones from fish and chicken before serving. Watch your cat's weight and do not let your cat overeat. Felines like humans suffer health consequences from being over weight such as heart problems, arthritis and shorter life expectancy. An average adult cat should weight between 9 to 11lbs varying according to the type of breed. Male cats tend to be heavier in general. If your cat is over weight consult your vet first to make sure your cat is not over weight due to a hormonal problem. Once this has been ruled out, your vet can advise you on a feline weight loss plan. It is also important to consult your vet if your cat refuses food for more than 24 hours. ~ New Kittens ~With today's modern veterinary medicine, you can expect to share your life with your cat for sixteen years or more so it is crucial that you choose a kitten that will grow up to be a healthy and happy adult. Owning a cat or two has also been proven to be good for our health. This page will give you some guidelines and advice from choosing your kitten to bringing it home to settle in. Always remember that owning a cat is a lifetime responsibility not to be taken lightly. I've divided this page into sections so please choose a subject in the table of contents. Choosing your Kitten The first thing to consider when choosing your kitten is if you are looking for a family companion or a cat that you intend to show or breed in future. If you are looking for a family pet, then the most important consideration will be temperament and health. If you are looking for a cat to show or breed let the breeder know this when you first enquire to be sure they have suitable kittens for you to view. A breeding or show cat should meet the breed standard showing no obvious faults. When choosing your kitten, you should also take into consideration the type of home it comes from and it's mother's state of health. Do not buy a kitten from a breeder that will not let you see the mother cat. In pedigree cats, the mother cat should also be a true representative of the breed. A healthy kitten will have bright and shiny eyes, glossy coat, clean bottom and an alert demeanour. Ears should also be clean, nose cool and damp without any nasal discharge with pale pink mouth and gums. Feeding Guidelines Kittens like adult cats require wholesome, high-protein food and a constant supply of water. Food is served more frequently with kittens than with adult cats. See my section on feline nutrition for guidelines on adult cats. Food and water bowls should be kept clean at all times. Below I've listed some general feeding guidelines for your new kitten sorted by age.
Kittens should be feed tinned or fresh food as part of a balanced diet with quality kitten dry cat food from a reputable manufacturer left down at all times to graze on. Your reward for feeding your kitten a well-balanced diet is a healthy beautiful adult cat. Toileting Pedigree kittens are fully litter trained from a very early age. With any kitten irrespective of breed to avoid accidents it is absolutely vital that for the early days and weeks in a new home, the kitten is aware at all times where the litter tray is. In a new environment, the kitten may not be able to find the litter tray alone especially with a home with two or more floors and several rooms. It is important that the kitten is restricted to one area for the first few weeks and only allowed into other areas of your home under supervision. Once your kitten has been allowed to roam freely, always keep a watchful eye and keep taking your new kitten back to it's litter tray at regular intervals. If you are living in a very large house on multiple floors, it is advisable to have a litter tray on every floor. When your new kitten first arrives home, it is also advisable to use the same cat litter as your breeder while your kitten settles in. Later you can gradually change this to a brand of your choice. The litter tray should also be kept clean at all times. Changing all or some of the litter tray contents daily is recommended to avoid accidents. Cats will quickly find an alternative site to use as a toilet if the tray is not cleaned daily. Settling In On arrival home with your new kitten, place the kitten while still in the carrier in a suitable warm room where the kitten can be safely kept for a few days. Let the kitten come out to explore in it's own time. Make sure there is a litter tray in the room and that the kitten knows exactly where it is. The kitten's room should also have a bowl of food and water kept a suitable distance from the litter tray. Cats are reluctant to use a litter tray that is too close to the cat's food. Let your new kitten come to you in it's own time. Getting to know your Kitten It can take days or even weeks to establish a relationship with a kitten so please be patient. Kittens need time to bond with you and before long your new kitten will become your best friend. For the first few weeks, your kitten shouldn't be allowed to roam your home unsupervised when you are not there. You should put your kitten back in their own room with their litter tray, food and water. Make sure your new kitten also has a comfortable bed or basket to sleep in with some toys to play with. It may be worth considering obtaining two kittens from your breeder especially if you will be out of the home for most of the day. This way they will always have a constant playmate and two cats can exercise each other far more effectively than you can. Please remember that your new kitten should be kept indoors at all times and shouldn't be allowed outdoors until they are old enough to cope with outdoor life.
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