CAT CARE BASICS
There are a few areas that need to be covered concerning cat care basics and all these issues are of primary concern when the individual is keen on keeping a pet, especially a cat.
- VISITING THE VET
Most animals have a natural aversion to visiting the vet, as this is usually done under unpleasant circumstances. However, as this is a necessary part of the cat’s life, some measures should be taken to make this as easy as possible for both the owner and the cat.
- VACCINATING YOUR CAT
Although vaccinations are often a feared necessity, there are still a lot of problems that are usually associated with getting an animal to conform and accept this as important and unavoidable. However, the owner should be steadfast in getting all the required vaccinations for the pet cat as it will help to keep the cat in better health conditions.
Important!
Vaccinations are usually administered to provide an animal with the necessary help to keep their body safe from any outside invasion of organisms that will cause the cat to be sick. The cat’s immune system should be well guarded against all negative foreign intrusions, hence the necessity of the vaccinations. With the vaccinations, the cat’s immune system is able to withstand any onslaught from negative intrusion that may cause the cat’s health to deteriorate.
Cat’s that are not house bound are usually at higher risk of being exposed to disease causing organisms and thus the consequences of infection are always present. There is also the possibility of such conditions eventually affecting the owner of the cat and those around. One particular alarming disease which the owner can be exposed to is rabies, thus the need for vaccinations.
The following are some of the more popularly recommended vaccines for cats:
- Feline pan leukopenia virus vaccine – this vaccination is meant to keep the cat from contracting a highly infectious disease which can lie dormant before is actually causes fatal reactions.
- Feline claicivirus/herpes virus vaccine – this is meant to treat upper respiratory tract diseases which are prevalent in cats, which most cats are never completely free of but the vaccination helps to keep in under control.
- Rabies virus vaccine – in most countries, it is now mandatory to ensure the cat is inoculated with this as this disease is not only a threat to the cat but also to humans.
- PROVIDING THE CORRECT FOOD
Choosing food for the pet cat is not about simply providing it with the types of food it enjoys eating. These types of food are is often not nutritious or well balanced. Therefore, there is a need to ensure all the various elements are present in the cat diet to ensure optimal health conditions for the cat.
- PROVIDING PROPER NUTRITION
There is really no need to know a lot about cat foods and diets, as the owner would only need to know a few facts, mainly based on the cat’s statistics, to make an informed decision on the types of foods required. These facts should include the age of the cat, its size, the lifestyle and history of the cat and its breed type. All these would be a good starting point for the owner to make an informed decision on what types of foods are suitable for their pet cat.
As some cat foods are designed to fit into specific categories such as the age of the cat, its nutritional needs and its probable eating capabilities, the owner will be less challenged in making the most appropriate choice. There is a variety of choices for the cat which include dry and wet foods. Either a combination of the two or just one type would be sufficient for the cat as it usually covers a whole spectrum of vitamins and minerals that the cat would need for optimal health.
As budget is probably the main dictating factor when it comes to purchasing the most appropriate foods for the cat, most brands will suffice. However, if cost is not an issue, then making the effort to purchase premium or natural cat food products would be the ideal option, as the quality of such products would be far better than the regular ones on the shelf.
- PROVIDING THE CORRECT GROOMING
Cat are naturally quite fastidious, thus there is a need to be constantly grooming them. Most cats will spend quite some time licking themselves clean and keeping every fur in place.
- KEEPING THEM CLEAN
Long haired cats can be particularly hard to up keep and the owner will have to be committed to constantly grooming the cat. Even the cat itself will spend the better half of a day licking every hair into place. This of course is not really good as the cat is likely to eventually suffer from hairballs and get its coat all matted up. The owner would ideally have to engage the services of a pet groomer to keep the coat manageable and also brush the cat regularly to remove any clumps of hair or excessive hair. Short hair cats are no different as they too need grooming attention and this would include the owner setting aside time daily to brush their coats.
This hair bushing routine is very important and can sometimes be the difference between the cat enjoying a good quality of life and having to run to the vet for an emergency operation to remove a hairball clogging its intestinal track. Daily brushing will help to minimize the amount of hair the cat swallows through its own grooming sessions. Cats often protect themselves by coughing up these hairballs and this can be quite nasty to handle but a better alternative than having a surgical procedure done.
Having some of the tools handy at home would help to create a daily routine that would be enjoyable for both the cat and the owner. Initially the cat may not be too excited about being brushed, but if the owner is persistent and gentle, the cat will eventually come around and learn to accept it as part of the daily necessary routine.
- PROVIDE THEM WITH THE CORRECT TOYS AND AFFECTION
- GIVING THEM THE RIGHT GIFTS
The following are some tips of how to be affectionate toward a pet cat and the correct toys needed to make the equation complete:
- Although cats are not enormously fond to cuddling up, there are instances when they will allow themselves to be picked up for a quick and gentle cuddle. However, once the cat becomes fidgety, it’s time to ease up.
- Cats love to play and the most suitable toys need not be the expensively designed ones. Simple toys made of scraps of paper rolled into a ball or simply scrunched up make perfect toys for the cat. However, the size should be too big to swallow. Dangling a string or dangling something on a string will be a very attractive prospect for the cat’s immediate attention. Running it along the floor will really excited the cat and usually ensue a healthy and happy workout for the cat.
- Cats also enjoy being stroked, petted or scratched, however they are rather picky on the areas they allow anyone to come in contact with. Initially, the owner would have to put up with a few scratches before finding the ideal areas the cat would like the attention focused on. The popular spots include under the chin and around the cheeks and also behind the ears and sometimes across the back just before it meets the tail.
SUMMARY
Keeping your feline in line can sometimes be quite a tricky task to accomplish. It is possible, it just takes some hard work and effort from both the pet and the owner. As mentioned before, there are many tools that can be used in the training process of the cat to make the process much simpler. With proper use of tools and the tips you have just learned about, you and your cat should be able to share your home with minimal issues.
Cat care is the most important part of keeping your cat healthy and happy. The more you know about cat care, the better you will be able to meet your feline’s physical and emotional needs. The stronger your cat’s health and the better your cat’s attitude are, the more you will be able to enjoy your cat’s unique personality. Good cat care will make your cat more affectionate, and can dramatically reduce any behavior problems that your cat may be displaying. If you want a richer and fuller relationship with your cat, try improving your cat care.
Having a cat is a two way street. The better the level of cat care that you can provide for your pet, the more energetic, affectionate, and well behaved it will be. By giving your pet with optimum cat care, you will make it more agreeable to the training and gentle behavior modification techniques that can take the headaches out of pet ownership. Good cat care often translates into a good cat that will take commands more willingly than a cat who does not receive enough attention, affection, and care. The more you learn about how to care for your cat, the better the level of health you will be able to bring your feline friend to. The healthier your cat is, the stronger the emotional bond between you and your pet will be, and that bond often serves as the core of obedience training.
By educating yourself about cat care and practicing the best, scientifically tested cat care techniques to provide your cat with optimum attention, you can make sure that your cat is as happy as possible. The happier your cat is, the happier it will be able to make you. A cat that is well cared for is a cat that will be interested in active playtime and in calm relaxation. The better your cat care abilities are, the more fully you will be able to sharing time with your cat doing all of you pet’s, and your, favorite activities together. Great cat care provides a strong foundation for your bond with your cat. Good cat care can help you grow closer with your beloved pet by making sure that he or she is always up for spending time with you. This is why cat care is an important part of your emotional relationship with your cat.
If your cat isn’t getting the right kind of care, from the best kind of diet to the ideal grooming schedule, your cat may develop behavior issues that can make your pet feel like a problem child. However, the positive side of this equation is that conscientious and responsible cat care can help your cat overcome issues ranging from constant mewling to weight issues to destructive tendencies. Good cat care means a happier pet, and even a problematic cat who receives enough of the right kind of care can become a pleasant companion.