Known for being playful, affectionate, and adorable, cats can be ideal pets. Just like dogs, felines can be great pets. You can cuddle them, play with them, or have them as companions. The history of cats as pets dates back to more than 10,000 years ago in the Middle East, believed to be the place where people first domesticated cats.
But as cuddly and adorable as they are as pets, cats also need your care and attention. You might wonder about the best way to take care of your kitty. So read on and be guided on how to care for your cat.
Tips On Taking Care of Your Cat
The good news is that cats are low maintenance compared to their canine counterparts. To keep your cat healthy and happy, you need to know the proper way to care for your pet.
1. Start With the Basics
First, you need to have the basic supplies your pet cat will need, which include the following:
- Litter box, litter, and scoop
- Bed and beddings
- Grooming supplies such as brushes and nail clippers
- Cat food and treats
- Water and food bowls
- Carrier
- Collar with identification tags
- Toothbrush and cat toothpaste
- Cat post or tree
- Cat cubby or other places for hiding
There are other supplies and products that you can consider buying for your pet, so make sure to expand on this list. Search for cat supplies online, and you will be amazed at the number of products you can buy to ensure a long life for your cat.
2. Groom Your Cat Regularly
Brushing your cats regularly helps remove the dead hair from their coat so they won’t swallow it while self-cleaning. In addition, regular grooming provides the perfect opportunity to see noticeable changes in their body. For any irregularities like lumps, bumps, or sore spots, you can have them investigated right away by a veterinarian.
3. Determine What Kind of Food They Eat
Cat food can either be dry, semi-moist, or canned. Dry cat food can easily be stored, but cats prefer semi-moist or canned foods. The latter types of cat food can add more fluid to your pet’s diet than dry food. However, consult your veterinarian for any recommendations if your pet cat has a medical condition.
4. Keep Tabs on Their Wellness
The first appointment with the veterinarian will provide a baseline regarding your cat’s health. From there, the vet will recommend a vaccination and parasite prevention program. In addition, the veterinarian will also recommend the right diet for your kittens. They will also advise you on dental care and other home care tips.
5. Get Your Cat Sprayed or Neutered
Spraying or neutering your cat offers positive benefits. First, it will help prevent the cat from developing unwanted behaviors like roaming and the tendency to spray urine. For female cats, spraying prevents uterine infections, ovarian cancer, and breast tumors. In males, neutering prevents testicular cancer and prostate problems. Spraying can help cut down on the number of unwanted kittens worldwide.
6. Make Sure They Have Enough Exercise
Cats spend most of their time indoors, so they have plenty of space for behavioral enrichment and exercise. Refrain from assuming that cats are getting enough exercise on their own. Providing them with enough activities like climbing trees, looking out the window, or bonding time with you can help prevent obesity, which is quite common among cats.
7. Give Them a Safe Space
Cats are usually shy the first time, so try to make them feel at home. It is normal for cats to feel nervous and hide from you. Give them time to adjust to your home’s new smells and sounds. Make sure to place all their essentials in their safe space.
8. Have Some Bonding Time With Your Pet
Cats need love and affection from you. Playing with them occasionally can help boost their emotional and physical health. Bonding with your cat helps keep their brain engaged and develop good socialization skills. Give them some treats, or let them chase you around the house.
Give Your Cats Some Tender Loving Care
Some people consider cats part of their family. For this reason, they need some love and attention from you. In fact, cats are more than just pets to some people. Take proper care of them, and they will be your companion for a long time.