If you have cats, you know how mischievous they are. However, if you properly care for them, they are less likely to cause trouble. Keep reading for expert cat care tips!
Cat Care Everyday Essentials
Cats require certain things on a daily basis. But what are those things? Well, for starters, they need food and for their litter box to be cleaned out.
Feed Them Regularly
As far as the type of food goes, there are a lot of different schools of thought on what is proper. Some think a raw diet is best, while others are fine with giving them store-brand food. Talk with experts and see what works best for you and your budget. Just watch and make sure that the food agrees with them. If they are showing an allergic reaction, then switch to a different food.
Clean Their Litter Box
You need to be diligent about this. If you have multiple cats, you might want to think about getting several litter boxes and putting them in different areas around the house. That way, it’s not going to be overcrowded. Check it several times a day, clean out the bodily waste, and add litter again. Otherwise, your cats may show displeasure by making a mess outside the litter box. You don’t want that to happen for both the sake of your floor and your nose.
Other Necessities
Obviously, food, water, and a clean litter box are the number one priorities for your cat. However, there are other things that will make them happy as well.
Keep Them Occupied
Cats can get bored very easily. It’s a bit easier if there at least two of them where they can do things like play fight to keep active, but you should make sure that there are cat toys for them to play with. Have a scratching post so that they won’t destroy your furniture — though that’s still a 50-50 proposition. Keeping them active can help them get better rest throughout the day.
Provide Them With a Cat Bed
Cats spend a lot of time sleeping. They really love it when they can sleep in a comfy place. So, consider getting them a cozy cat bed from pet companies like https://clearlylovedpets.com/.
Groom Them if Needed
This depends on the type of cat that you have. Domestic shorthairs can still have some hair that needs taming every so often, but if you have something like a Maine Coon, you’re going to need to make it a habit. Otherwise, you should be ready for a lot of hairballs, which will make both you and the cat unhappy. There are plenty of options out there in terms of brushing, and they can grow to really love their brushing time.
Take Them to the Vet Regularly
Your cat may seem alert and cuddly with you. That doesn’t mean that something’s not happening to them. They still need to see a vet on at least a yearly basis when they are younger and every six months when they are older. Things can happen and cats are known for being able to mask pain very well. So, when it’s clear that something’s wrong, it could already be too late.
The visits to the vet are very necessary, especially early on, since they will need to have vaccinations that will keep them healthy. Don’t think that just because your cats are indoor cats, they don’t need to get these. They can still get sick at home. When you bring them in for yearly wellness exams, the process will include having your cat weighed, physically examined, and checking their teeth and gums. If it turns out they need dental care, they can do that, too.
You need to pay attention to the state of your cats’ teeth. Just like people, they can get gum disease, and if bacteria gets in their bloodstream, then that can cause health issues, like cancer. You need to take care of your teeth and gums, and you need to do the same for your cats.
It’s important to be vigilant about watching their behavior and keeping your home safe. Even the smartest cat isn’t the best at knowing what’s a potential hazard to them — watch those bottle caps, for example. You want to prevent any danger.
Take Care of Your Cat
People think that cats are easier than dogs. In some regards, they can be. You don’t have to take them out in the middle of the night in the dead of winter so that they can go to the bathroom. Cats can also need love as much as dogs do — it depends on their personalities. Some cats will literally come up to you and butt your hand to pet them. Remember, doing that can also help your blood pressure, too.
By following all these steps, you’ll give them the best chance of having a happy life where they can be a beloved family member for a long time. That will make everything worth it.
