Caring for a Cat is a Serious Responsibility and Should Not Be Taken Lightly
When you’re caring for a cat, do your research before the cat comes so that it’s an easy transition for the both of you. Although caring for a cat is not as high maintenance (or people say) as dogs, they’re going to still need for you to do something (feed, lodge, provide health care, train and pay attention).
Feeding kittens
When it comes to feeding kittens, they should NOT be taken away from their mother’s until they are seven to eight weeks of age.
If the kitten was without a mother, and is less than six weeks old, consult a veterinarian about feeding.
When they’re kittens their calorie level is much higher because of the higher energy level.
What kind of food should you feed them
Canned food should be the preference for kittens less than six months old. Remove any excess food after ten them 3-4 times a day,anymore can result in diarrhea or vomiting.
Around six to eight months you can scale back the feedings to 2x a day.
Keep dry kitten food and plenty of clean,fresh water available continually.
Age 1
Slowly change the dry kitten food to adult formula.
Mix in 1/4 of adult food with 3/4 kitten food. Then over a five to ten day period switch over completely.
DO NOT buy generic cat food and be careful about leaving dog food where the cat can eat it (cats need more protein and amino acids than dog food provides) and same for dogs.
Cats love variety so switch up their food. Studies show cats do better on canned food. Feed your cat mostly canned food and a little dry food which will keep your cat from gaining weight and allow it to stay more active.
Feed moist food at room temperature and store uneaten food in a glass container in the refrigerator.
Avoid giving them scraps,avoid uncooked food and never give them cat bones.
Avoid giving them milk as it can cause diarrhea or vomiting.
Health care
Vet visits are important and as soon as you take possession of the cat schedule a visit. The vet will explain to you all of the necessary steps you should take to care for it.
Take a fresh stool sample to your cat’s vet at the time of your first visit. This allows it to be tested for parasites, then they can be treated if needed.
Avoid over the counter medicines.
Neutering
What is it?
It’s a surgery performed by your vet so that your cat will not breed or have kittens(littering the streets with kittens that can’t be cared for).
Spaying is done on females.
ID Tags
Cats should have these and it should include your name, address and phone number.
Special safety collars for cats are recommended.
These collars have a short piece of elastic that stretches so they can free themselves from the collar if accidentally caught avoiding risk of injury.
A microchip is another ID option which is harmless and inserted under the skin in the shoulder area.
How to handle and train your cat
Handle your cat with care, when they’re eating, sleeping and using the litter box, they should be left alone during these times.
Hold your cat by putting one hand under the front of the body (chest) and the other under their back legs and holding them close to you.
This should help you with your efforts of caring for a cat.
