10 Top Cat Tips for Kids

Here is some basic information in the form of the Top 10 Tips for Cat Care, for kids.

Cat Tip #1: Food

Cats like to eat throughout the day and will pace their selves based upon their hunger. Some people like to feed their cat canned food, but the dry cat food is a bit cheaper and can aid in the pet's dental hygiene and need for chewing; some proponents such as Wise Geek, say it is healthier for the cat to eat dry food. Feeding them once a day with about a cup of food is perfect.

Cat Tip #2: Water

Cats like fresh water, and they drink throughout the day, often before and after grooming themselves. Make sure the bowl is clean and give them fresh water every day.

Cat Tip #3: Skin and Fur Care

Healthy cats are generally very clean, grooming or licking themselves several times a day. They will shed the fur as it gets warmer, and sometimes as they are cleaning themselves, they get a fur ball stuck in their throat that they will cough up. When they cough up a fur ball, it might look like they are vomiting but do not be afraid. They are not sick. This is a natural way for cats to keep their selves clean.

Cat Tip #4: Cat poop

A litter box is usually placed in a room that the cat can access all the time, and is used for cats to go to the bathroom. They pee and poop just like people. Using scoop able, clumping cat litter makes it easy to clean a litter box. Use a cat litter scoop to take out the clumps and throw them away every day. If you don't keep it clean, the cat may find other places to go that will make your parents really mad. Outdoor cats may use sand or dirt and use that as their bathroom in. If you have an outdoor cat that does this, be careful to use gloves when working in the yard as cat poop can cause impetigo which is a nasty infection that is highly contagious.

Cat Tip #5: Cat claws

Cats use their claws for protection and for climbing. A cat needs to scratch so plan for it by providing them with a a scratching post. If you can't afford to buy a post, a cardboard box will do. Some cats play rougher than others. Sometimes a cat will be playing and accidently scratch you. If a cat claws skin your skin, it will sting. Always wash cat scratches thoroughly with antibacterial soap to prevent infections.

Cat Tip #6: Cat tails

Cats use their tails to help them balance when leaping. Their tails also are used to communicate their moods. A cat that is agitated will have a tail that shakes in short bursts. A cat that wants to play wags its tail widely from side to side. A cat that is scared might have a tail that is sticking straight up or out. A cat that is content will wag their tail slowly, but the wag seems without purpose and more like keeping a beat. When a cat walks next to a person, and rubs up against them, they are marking their territory. Cat tails leave pheromones or scents, as do their paws.

Cat Tip #7: Cat talk

Cats purr when they are content, and they meow to communicate with people. When there are other cats around they will "talk" by making single syllable meow's, that sound like chirps or a strong purr. When they feel threatened they will hiss.

Cat Tip #8: Cat climb

Cats are climbers. While dogs tend to lie on the floor or on a couch, cats sometimes like to find the highest perch, so that they can see what is going on around them. They will often find a corner and put their back to the wall so that they face the room. They can be finicky about strangers or other animals and you may find that they will climb the curtains or sit high on the refrigerator or on the top of cabinets, if they can manage to get there.

Cat Tip #9: Cat scents

All cats are natural hunters. Cats will release a spray of urine to mark their territories, to indicate they are ready to mate, or when they are afraid. Both female and male cats do this, but the majority of the time it is done by tomcats when there are multiple cats. Keeping the litter box clean and minimizing the number of cats that you have will help. Neutering the cat when they are between 4 and 6 weeks of age, before they have developed the habit of spraying, will also seriously reduce the problem.

Cat Tip #10: Cat eyes

Cats are nocturnal animals and they see better in the dark than we do. Their eyes are more elliptical than human's eyes, and they have pretty good peripheral vision. Looking a cat directly in the eye can be perceived by them to be aggressive behavior. That is often why people who don't like cats are often sought out by the cat. If the person doesn't look the cat in the eye, they are perceived as friendly and the cat may rub-up against them.

Sources:

Wise Geek

Wild cats Facts and FAQs