Cat / Kitten Care
Cats are sociable animals and make great pets. Most cats spend a lot of time dozing, so need a quiet place where they can rest. Cats also like to spend time outside, so it's not a good idea to keep a cat if you live somewhere it can't get out and about.
Food and Water
Cats can be choosy about what and when they eat. The amount cats eat depends on their size, age and how much they exercise. Most people buy ready prepared food to make sure they have a balanced diet. Make sure your cat:
- can always get to water
- doesn't eat food that contains caffeine, alcohol or sugar
Exercise
It's nice for your cat to go in and out as it likes, and having a cat flap makes life easier. It's a good idea to:
- check there aren't dangerous roads nearby
- keep a cat that's new to the area indoors for a couple of weeks
- microchip your cat in case it gets lost
Training
It's important to house train your cat so it doesn't make a mess indoors. Be patient and calm when training and try to:
- train your cat to go to the toilet in a litter tray or outside when it is young
- play gently with your cat when it's young so that it gets used to being handled
- encourage your cat to use a scratching post instead of the furniture
Handling
Make sure that you don't pick an adult cat up by the scruff of its neck. To pick a cat up:
- put one hand under its chest
- put the other hand around the back of its legs
Cleaning
A healthy cat will groom itself regularly, but brushing your cat will:
- keep its coat looking healthy
- help you notice if it has fleas
- help reduce hairballs (hair that cats swallow when grooming)
Health
It's a good idea to make sure your cat has a yearly check-up with a vet. The vet will be able to:
- advise you about neutering (unless you have a female cat and want kittens)
- give annual booster injections
- give worming tablets (to protect against worms)
- examine its mouth and teeth