| It is a common misconception that cats are a "feed | | | | smell down. |
| them and forget about them" pet. While cats aren't | | | | The grooming responsibilities for your cat will depend |
| necessarily difficult creatures to look after, you might | | | | a great deal on the breed that you have. Cats with |
| be better suited to take a fish as a pet if you want | | | | longer or thicker fur will require you to brush them |
| a little to no attention pet. We're going to talk about | | | | once, sometimes twice a day. As a general rule, cats |
| the basic physical and psychological needs of a cat to | | | | do not require baths. Cats spend a huge portion of |
| help you better understand the responsibilities that | | | | their day cleaning themselves and they're very good |
| caring for a cat entails. | | | | at it! If your cat has a mishap that leaves them too |
| The dietary needs of a cat are fairly simple to | | | | dirty to clean themselves, a quick bath with soap |
| satisfy. The three basic types of cat food available | | | | designed for cats is okay. You may find that if your |
| are dry (kibble), moist (usually bought in pouches), | | | | cat is a very long-haired breed, his fur might become |
| and wet (canned). If you are considering a kitten, it's | | | | excessively oily. This is another case in which you |
| best to carry on feeding him the same brand and | | | | may need to bathe your cat. |
| type of food that his breeder is feeding him. It's up | | | | The emotional needs of a cat are harder to predict. |
| to you what kind of food you want your cat to eat. | | | | Cats are affectionate creatures, but the affection is |
| Many people encourage feeding a cat dry food as it | | | | usually given and received on their terms. You may |
| helps to keep your cat's teeth clean and strong. Cats | | | | find your cat is a fairly solitary creature and only |
| that have a solitary diet of soft foods usually end up | | | | comes around for a snuggle once in a while. This is |
| having far more dental issues than cats on a kibble | | | | quite normal behaviour for a cat, so don't feel bad if |
| diet. Always make sure that you have clean water | | | | your cat doesn't spend a great deal of time around |
| available to your cat at all times of the day and do | | | | you. That being said, all cats have different |
| not feed your cat cow's milk, as it has very little | | | | personalities, just like us. Some cats enjoy being |
| nutritional value for your cat and often results in | | | | around people and others don't-it's simply a case of |
| digestive problems and diarrhea. | | | | figuring out what your cat likes. It's best to let your |
| Setting up and maintaining a litter box is pretty basic. | | | | cat approach you for attention rather than seeking |
| We recommend purchasing litter box liners (similar to | | | | him out. |
| trash bag material) to make changing out the litter an | | | | Exercise is also important for your cat, but they can |
| easier and more sanitary process. Using a litter scoop, | | | | get plenty of that indoors. Try investing in a kitty |
| you should remove clumps of poo regularly from the | | | | gym, scratching post, or pet steps to encourage |
| litter, completely changing out the litter about once a | | | | your cat to be active. |
| week. If you have more than one cat, you will likely | | | | For more information about raising cats and dogs, |
| need to change the litter more often to keep the | | | | visit the Help Your Pets website. |