Raising a cat requires more than just its basic needs, such as food and a litter box, but also for its health, comfort and its mind.If you want to raise a cat, you need to understand the commitment you are making and learn how to do it correctly.You're more likely to end up with a happy cat if you do this.
Step 1: Provide your cat with high quality food.
It is important to provide the cat with food.Dry and canned food is fine as long as it is mostly animal-sourced.Dry food can cause your cat to become dehydrated as they have a low thirst drive.If you don't know what to feed your cat, talk to the vet.They will suggest what to feed your cat.
Step 2: Provide cat food that is appropriate for that age.
Feed your cat kitten food when it is young because it will give it more fat and calories for its growing body and mind.As the cat ages, you should feed it food that gives it complete nutrition without giving it too much.When your cat gets older, you may need to transition it onto senior food, which provides the type of nutrition that geriatric cats need.It's never a good idea to make sudden food changes.Slowly you will transition your cat from one food to another.
Step 3: Give a long-haired cat a hairball.
If you have a long haired cat, it is a good idea to give it food that will prevent hairballs.This type of food can help to prevent hairballs by increasing the amount of fiber your cat is getting.The rate of digestion is increased by the use of fiber.Which hairball-preventing food is best for your cat?They can suggest a food that will fulfill your cat's needs while also preventing hairballs.
Step 4: Twice a day is all you need to feed your cat.
The size of your cat will affect the amount of food you give it.Follow the directions on the food packaging for portion sizes based on your cat's age and size.Cats should be fed smaller, more frequent meals.Discuss portion size with your doctor.They can suggest ways to keep your cat at a healthy weight.Talk to your vet if you notice that your cat is gaining weight quickly.Diabetes and joint pain can be caused by being overweight.
Step 5: Allow unrestricted access to drinking water.
It's important to give your cat clean water at all times, as dehydration can make it very sick.If the water is appealing for the cat to drink, put it in a small bowl and replace it daily.A cat is drinking from a fountain.The recirculating water stream can draw your cat's attention.The cat's water should not be in the litter box.Cats see the water as dirty.If your cat only drinks from unattended glasses, you should keep a glass filled with fresh water on the table or counter.Cats can be picky.The bowl, fountain, and glass might be dirty if your cat isn't drinking water.
Step 6: Provide a picture of yourself.
You should get a cat's identification when you name it.This can be done with a tag on its collar, but you can also get a chip at its veterinary office.Even if you plan on raising the cat to live indoors, having identification is important -- remember, if it gets out, it will have no experience finding its way home.Your phone number and name should be on your cat's collar tag.If someone finds your cat, you should keep this phone number up to date.To secure the tags to the collar, be sure to use a quick-release buckle.The collar can break if the cat gets caught on something.It would be best to have a collar and a chip.The collar will allow for quick identification, while a chip will be a backup in case the collar gets lost.
Step 7: The use of a litter box should be provided and taught.
Raising a cat will require you to teach it how to use a litter box.This is an easy process for most cats.If you bring a cat home, keep it contained in a small space with food, water, a bed, and its litter box.The cat is naturally clean and likes to go to the bathroom in the litter box.Keep the litter box close to your cat's activity and easy to reach.This will help ensure that the cat uses it.
Step 8: If litter box training is problematic, try again.
If the cat doesn't use the litter box, it's a good idea to clean the areas outside of the box where it went to the bathroom.The litter box is where the cat should go if it smells feces and urine.If your cat doesn't want to go in the litter box, try a different litter.Your cat might understand that it needs to use the box, but it might not like the texture of the litter.Cats are smart.There could be an underlying health issue if your cat continues to refuse to use the litter box.
Step 9: The litter box needs to be clean.
To make sure your cat uses the litter box, you should keep it clean.Don't forget to remove the solids daily.You should empty it, clean the box, and put new litter in weekly.If you don't clean your cat's litter box frequently, it is more likely to go to the bathroom.
Step 10: Put your cat in a warm place to sleep.
When raising a cat, make sure to give it a place where it can sleep and get some alone time.This can be accomplished by giving it a bed all of its own and placing it in a quiet and warm corner.If you live in a busy home, it can be difficult to get this done, but your cat can pick a spot and you can provide the cushion.Many cats like warm, sunny spots with views of the outdoors.The feeble sunlight will suit your cat's needs even on cold days.Some cats like to sleep in different places.One month they like to sleep next to the window, and the next they prefer to nap under the bed.It's not a good idea to force your cat to sleep in a certain spot.The cat will be averse to the location.
Step 11: Give a place to scratch.
Cats need to scratch a lot in order to keep their claws healthy.You should get them a scratching post or scratching pad to allow them to do this.If your cat likes to scratch a lot, you may need to buy one for every room.Put it in front of your cat's favorite scratching spot to teach it how to use it.Place your cat's paws on it.It is possible to make scratching posts and scratching pads more attractive by rubbing catnip on them.The cat is not the same.Try a scratching mat or a cardboard scratching pad if your cat doesn't like scratching posts.
Step 12: Don't let your cat out of your house.
If you live in a city, try to raise a cat indoors.Living indoors increases lifespan due to lower risks for disease, injury or abuse.It helps keep wildlife in your area.Provide boxes, cat toys, and sunny window perches for an indoor cat to lounge in.If you are away, you may want to consider having at least two cats.If you are trying to keep your cat out of the house, make sure all doors and windows are closed.
Step 13: Your cat will love an enclosed patio.
If you want your cat to experience the sights and smells of the outdoors, you should build a cat patio.This is an enclosed outdoor area that is usually attached to your home and allows your cat to get some time outside.A catio restricts your cat's ability to get lost or kill wildlife in your area because it allows it to be outside.
Step 14: You should brush your cat frequently.
All breeds need to be brushed at least weekly.American shorthair cats only need to be brushed once a week compared to Persian cats who need brushing 3 to 4 times per week.There are tangles in your cat and spare hair that can rub off on furniture or floors.Cats don't need baths unless they get into a mess and cannot clean themselves off.Sphinx cats are bald and need bathing once a week to keep their skin oils under control.
Step 15: Don't forget to clip your cat's paws.
Choose nail clippers made for cats, which come in a guillotine type or a scissors type.The clippers should be put to the side.The tip of the nail should be trimmed.The back part of the nail with a blood vessel should not be cut.Your cat's claws should be clipped every week when it is young.When it becomes an adult, this will make it less resistant to the process.If the cat doesn't go outside a lot, it's important to trim its nails.If you're having trouble trimming your cat's claws, ask a vet to show you how to do it.
Step 16: Do you want your cat desexed?
Cats should be neutered at an early age.The cat will be tamer and desexing decreases the risk of cancer in female cats.Discuss the best time to have your cat neutered with your vet because most vets won't do it until they weigh at least two pounds.Another benefit is that you won't have to deal with your female cat going into heat, or your male cat spraying indoors and roaming outside to find a mate.The cats that should not be fixed are the ones that are purposely being used for breeding by experienced and ethical breeders.The cost of sterilization allows your cat to keep its hormones.You should have a male and female cat so that they can satisfy each other's needs.Normal cat behavior, such as spraying or roaming, will still be maintained if the cat is sterile.
Step 17: There are preventative veterinary exams that you should take your cat in for.
Cats need regular veterinary care in order to be raised properly.When a cat is young, it only needs to have an annual exam, in which the vet checks its overall health and updates any vaccines or medications that it needs.Every six months is when your cat will need a veterinary checkup.It may seem like a waste of money if your cat is healthy, but they can save you money in the long run.Your cat's pain and suffering can be reduced if you find a health problem early on.
Step 18: You should keep up to date with your medication.
Discuss flea medications and vaccinations with your vet when you bring your cat in for a checkup.They will most likely recommend a flea treatment, such as Frontline and Trifexis, that you will apply at home.Keeping up to date with this medication is important for your cat's health.Your doctor suggests getting the vaccinations and vaccine boosters.Recommendations will be made based on your cat's risk of exposure and health history.Vaccinations for panleukopenia, caliciviruses, rabies, feline leukemia, chlamydiosis, infectious peritonitis, immunodeficiency, Bordetella, and giardiasis may be recommended by the vet.
Step 19: Show your cat how much you care.
It is important to show your cat love and affection.You can do this by holding it in your lap and petting it.You can play with it and give it attention for a little while every day.Whatever you do, make sure that your cat knows that it is loved and important to your family.Many cats only want attention when they want it.If your cat is like this, give it some attention and petting.Your cat's requests may not always come when you want them to, but just try to remember that your cat deserves a bit of attention every day.
Step 20: Socialize with your friends.
If you want to raise a happy and well adjusted cat, you should begin socializing it when it is young.When a small kitten is introduced to a wide variety of people, it will know that this is a normal part of life.It will be more likely for the cat to be friendly and interested in new people if it is exposed to a wide variety of people.Exposure to a wide variety of noises and situations can be part of socialization.If you expose a kitten to a vacuum cleaner early in its life, it's less likely to be afraid of it as an adult.
Step 21: Provide your cat with stimulating toys.
Every day, cats need some mental stimulation.When cats are kittens, this is even more true.It can be provided by giving it stimulating toys to play with.The toys could include toys that it can chase around in, but it could also include simpler toys, such as toy mice or balls with bells.You might need to bring a variety of toys with you.Try out the toys with your cat one at a time.Cats like to play with toys that they have been playing with for a long time.New and exciting toys are provided on a regular basis.Your cat's preferences may change over time.A cat that liked a toy as a kitten may prefer string as an adult.
Step 22: You should interact with your cat daily.
You should spend quality time with your cat every day because you should give it toys to play with on its own.Quality interactive time with a cat is important in order to develop its mind and personality.To get the cat to jump into the air, use a feather on a string or a laser pointer.The cat likes to chase and play other games.The cat will be more stimulated by this interaction.If your cat is smart, you can try to teach it tricks you would normally teach a dog.