Cats

Overview

Cats are normally considered low maintenance pets, as they don’t need exercise and daily outdoor walks. However, there are many other factors you should know before getting a kitten such as grooming, nutrition, and diet, as well as cat hygiene, which will help you provide the right environment for your pet and keep it healthy and happy.

Cat Essentials

As a kitten when you bring your pet home, you will find that for the first couple of days she or he will meow almost continuously because he or she feels disoriented. Cats, like humans, get their security from familiarity and routine habits, such as where they live and the persons who live there. Therefore, housebreaking will need to be done gradually and in a routine fashion. For example, you will need to show your cat the sleeping arrangements, food, and water bowls, as well as the litter box. More than likely he or she will not remember them from the first day, so this ritual may have to be repeated for a few days or even a week.

The first few months in a kitten’s life are crucial as far as nutrition is concerned; this is the time when your cat is in the process of forming a strong and healthy immune system. You will need to consult a veterinarian to determine the right diet for the type of breed and age of your cat. Vaccinations and a blood test are recommended to ensure that your cat is healthy and does not need any special medical attention.

Your cat’s nutrition will be something that you will always have to keep a watch on; as he or she grows older, there will be different types of needs along the way. Be sure your cat has fresh water available, as it is extremely important for proper digestion and hydration.

Grooming is very important in cats, even if you see them cleaning themselves regularly. You will need to get a special grooming brush when your cat is shedding fur and you may use it as often as possible. Cats love attention, but they will also let you know when they have had enough petting, as well.

Fleas and ticks are attracted to cats as they are to dogs and that can be prevented by providing your cat with a special collar to keep these pests away. Brushing your cat’s teeth should also be done regularly, and one way to accomplish this without going to the vet’s office is to provide your cat with dry cat food, which helps to clean the teeth.

Personality of Cats

Cats are extremely independent pets; they enjoy being loved and cared for and will display their affection by nestling in your lap, but will also walk away when they’ve had enough petting. They may even hiss at you if you force them to stay.

Cats get along with dogs, if they grow up together, but you may have a problem if the cat is already mature when you bring him or her home. Dogs are more tolerant and good-natured than cats, who usually will hiss and even scratch your dog if they are unfamiliar.

Another important decision you will need to make is spaying and neutering; this is a subject that will require consultation with the vet. This should be done as soon as your cat shows the first signs and symptoms of mating or your cat could have other medical complications.

Cats are considered by many as the perfect pets, because they are small, easy to care for, and do not need to be taken out for walks or exercise. They are intelligent enough to learn where the litter box is, and they can be extremely affectionate. What else could you ask for in a pet?