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Practical Pet Care Advice For Your Cat |
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Cat Supplies
Searching for and gathering
your cat's basic supplies is fun and relatively inexpensive.
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Food and Water Bowls
You should have several food and water bowls available so they can be washed daily in the dishwasher. Bowls ought to be heavy enough so they will not tip over. Some cats are allergic to plastic, so twin stainless steel bowls in a holder are ideal. If you tend to be away often or want to make sure your cat has a constant supply of dry food and water you can use a cat feeder and waterer. You will need a litter box, litter, and scoops, even if you expect your cat to eventually go outdoors for his elimination needs. Choose a cat box big enough for a full-grown adult cat and deep enough so that he will not scatter litter around when he scratches. Try to avoid cat boxes with hoods. While they may be attractive for the owner they can trap smells and your cat may not want to use it. To avoid having your house smell like a litter pan remember to use a strainer or sieve, and scoop daily.
You will also need to provide a bed for your
pet. Most cats like to have a bed of their own,
but don’t be disappointed if he chooses to
ignore his new bed. There are several types of
cat beds that you can choose from. A nesting bed
surrounds your cat and gives them a cuddly place
to sleep. These beds are usually made of a firm
foam bottom and have walls that extend up the
sides. The sides of these beds may extend up
only a few inches or all the way around the bed
creating a roof. Another type of cat bed is the
mat. Mat beds are less bulky and allow your cat
to stretch out more when she sleeps. Mats may
be placed on your furniture to keep hair off.
The third main type of cat bed is the
perch. These beds hook to the windowsill and
give your cat a roomy place to sleep or just
gaze outside. Cats who like to sleep in the sun
will also appreciate this type of cat bed. It
is not recommended you give your cat an electric
cat bed to keep him warm since the cords might
be chewed on. There are new self-warming cat
beds
Until you see what your cat’s preferences are, you might not want to spend a lot of money on a fancy wicker basket or plush cat bed. You can start off with a simple, homemade cardboard bed. Get a roomy cardboard box with sides high enough to keep out drafts. Cut out a doorway. Line the bed with an old cushion and cover with soft, washable material for warmth. If possible, use an old sweatshirt for a lining, your cat with be comforted by your scent, which will encourage him to utilize his new bed. Have another cover in reserve. Cats are very particular so make sure the bedding is always clean. Place the bed in a quiet, draft-free corner away from the main traffic in your house. |
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How to Get Your Cat to Do... by W. Eckstein, ISBN 0449912280 |
How to Toilet-Train Your Cat: 21 Days to a Litter-Free Home by Paul Kunkel, ISBN 0894808281 |
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Cats will play with anything that moves, rolls, rustles, or sways. Kittens and cats are naturally curious and need a supply of toys that are safe and fun to play with. Choose toys made especially for cats – ones that cannot be splintered, torn apart, or swallowed. A celluloid ball that rattles, a catnip mouse or a hard rubber mouse are perfect cat toys. To avoid accidents, some cat toys ought to be used only when you are playing with your cat or kitten. There are many different types of cat toys to choose from. You can choose toys to wrestle and stalk such as toys mice or stuffed animals. There are many interactive cat toys for you and your to play together. This allows for some great quality time for you and your cat. There are also plenty of cat nip toys to choose from. While cat nip is safe for your cat it does not necessarily affect all cats the same way. Some cats may be calmed or soothed by cat nip while others may be stimulated and excited by cat nip. It is a good idea for you to have several different types of toys available for your cat to play with. It is also important to keep a few toys out at a time and rotate them weekly so that your cat does not get bored. Use your imagination. Some great homemade cat toys include:
Some items you may be tempted to give your cat could actually be harmful. Keep the following away from your cat:
Also avoid anything with hard, sharp points that can break off. Be wary of cat toys (or items that a cat may see as a toy) that can break. Be careful not to give her anything small made of soft rubber, fur, wool, sponge, or polyurethane. Items that are too small pose as a choking hazard to your cat.
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Contrary to popular belief cats do not use a scratching post to sharpen their claws. They use a scratching post for exercise (to stretch out to their full length), to clean away dead scales from their nails, and to mark their territory, both visually and with their scent. Get a scratching post right away to help train your cat early and avoid having them scratch your furniture. The scratching post should be tall enough to let your cat stretch out to full length (at least 30 inches) and have a sturdy base. You can make one yourself with some wood and sisal rope or purchase one from a pet store. Train your cat to use the scratching post as soon as she comes home. Encourage her to utilize the post by playing with her near around the scratching post often. You can also place it near her cat bed since most cats like to stretch upon wakening. She’ll get the idea quickly. A carrier is a must for transporting your cat or kitten. It will keep her safe while riding in the car and give her a sense of security. Cat carriers come in many styles and materials such as plastic, wood and wire mesh. Whatever you select, make sure it is large enough for your cat to comfortably move around in. It should also be well-ventilated, secure and easy to clean. When using the carrier, cover the bottom with an old towel. The familiar scent should comfort your cat as she travels to an unfamiliar place. You will need a flea comb for either longhaired or shorthaired cats, but the type of brush you will need depends on the length and texture of your cat’s coat. Grooming your cat not only keeps her healthy and beautiful, it can help prevent hairballs and reduce the amount of cat hair on your furniture. Start grooming right away so that it just becomes part of your cat’s usual routine. A harness or safety collar and leash are not a must for your cat, but you might want to get them anyway. It is easiest to train your cat to walk on a lightweight leash when he is still a kitten. A harness is preferable to a collar because most cats do not like the feeling of a collar around their necks for walking.
If your cat roams outdoors he should
always wear a “safety” collar with an
identification tag. Make sure he begins
wearing one early on, so he becomes used
to the sensation. The safety collar
should be made of break away material,
so that your he will not choke if he
catches it on a tree limb, fence or
other object. There are now collars you
can personalized and have your cat's
name and your number placed right on the
collar
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