There is no denying that cats are great companions and they may bring years and years of fun, unconditional love, and joy to your home. However, before you bring home a cat, it is very important to know the things that you need to consider. There are actually a lot of things that you need to bear in mind before you own a cat. Read on to this article and learn more about the cat care basics and more interesting facts!

Cat Care Basics  

Here are some of the cat care basics that you need to learn for you to have a great relationship with your new buddy.

Feeding                                            

It is recommendable that you buy a premium, high-quality cat food. Your vet will assess your new cat and determine the best diet for it. Several factors like health, activity level, and age make a huge difference in how and what a cat must eat.

• Taurine is an amino acid, which is essential for the eye and heart health of your cat. Further, the food that you choose must be well balanced for the life stages of your pet. Additionally, properly balanced diet must have taurine in it.
• You need to take your pet to the vet when you see signs of lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea and anorexia keeps on going for more than two days.
• The delights you give must be not more than 5 to 10% of the diet.
• You may need to provide clean, fresh water all the time. Further, you will also need to wash and refill the water bowl of your cat every day.

Grooming

Most of the cats can clean themselves and stay quite clean. Further, they don’t need any bath. However, you need to comb or brush your cat on a regular basis. Recurrent brushing is actually essential in keeping the coat of the cat clean. Moreover, it also helps in reducing the amount of shedding, as well as cuts down on the occurrence of hairball.

Handling

You should know the proper way of picking up your cat from the floor. First, you need to place on of your hands behind the front legs and the other one under the hindquarters. Lift your cat gently. Moreover, you should never pick your cat up by the scruff of its neck or through its front legs.

Housing

Your cat must have its own dry and clean place at home. It should have its own place to rest and sleep. You can line the bed of your cat with a warm, soft towel or blanket. Make sure that you wash the bedding often. Furthermore, keep the cat indoors. The outdoor cats don’t live as long as the indoor cats.

Moreover, the outdoor cats are at higher risk of trauma from fights with some other cats, cars, raccoons, and free roaming dogs. Further, the coyotes are well known to eat cats as well. The outdoor cats are more prone to becoming infested with ticks or fleas, as well as contract with various infectious illnesses.

Identification

If they are allowed outside home, your cat must wear an ID tag and a safety collar. Remember, a safety collar that has an elastic panel may allow your cat to break loose when the collar gets caught on something. Further, for both the outdoor and indoor cats, an identification or ID tag or a microchip may help in ensuring that your cat will be returned if your cat is lost.

Litter Box

All the indoor cats need litter box. This box must be located in a quiet and accessible location in the house. If you are in a multi-level house, a box per floor is recommendable. Furthermore, you should avoid moving the box, unless it is really needed. However, if you must do so, move it just a few inches away every day.

Bear in mind that cats will not always use a smelly, messy litter box. Therefore, scoop the solid wastes out of the litter box at least once every day. Additionally, dump everything, wash with a much milder detergent, and refill once in every week –at least. If you are using a clumping litter, you may be able to do less of this frequently.

Moreover, do not use any scents or deodorants, especially the lemon scents. When you clean the litter box, as a specific.in case your cat will not use the litter box, please consult a vet. There are times that the litter box is based on a medical illness, which requires treatment.

Scratching

It is a huge need for cats to scratch. In fact, when a cat scratches, the old outer nail sheath is getting pulled off. Further, the sharp, smooth claws underneath will be exposed. Cutting the cat’s nails per 2-3 weeks may keep them fairly blunt. Moreover, they are also less likely to harm its arms. You need to provide your cat with a strong scratching post. It must be at least 3 feet high and is strong enough to wobble during its use. Further, it should also be rough on the outside.

Health

Your cat must pay a visit to its vet once every year for exams and annual shots. As well as immediately if it is injured or sick.

Spaying or Neutering

The female cats must be spayed and the male ones must be neutered by 5 months old.

Vaccinations

Your vet might make some recommendations regarding the age and health of the cat.

Checklist for Cat Supplies

• Cat box or bed with warm towel or blanket
• Cat carrier
• Scratching post
• ID tag on safety cat collar
• Comb
• Brush
• Interactive toys
• Water bowl
• Food dish
• Premium cat food