How to Properly Care for Your Cat

This article is to help you better care for the cat you already have or to help you understand the care you will be facing if obtaining a feline companion. Caring for a cat is usually pretty simple but can be complicated depending on the breed. Always do your research and make sure you pick the right one for yourself, your family, and your lifestyle.

The basic categories that will be covered are: caring for your cats coat, eyes, ears, nose, and teeth; the types of litter available and how to choose the best one; making sure your cat is vaccinated; food options and how to choose the best one; and tending to your cats emotional need.

First let's cover basic coat care for your cat. The length of a cat's hair varies greatly on the breed, but most get grouped into the basic short, medium, and long length. Obviously cats with shorter hair need less grooming, while cats with long hair tend to need constant brushing. Whether your cat has short or long hair, expect it to shed more if it's an indoor cat, and some breeds shed more in the winter. If you cat is of a long haired breed make sure to inspect their hair once a day for knots and debris that may have become tangled in their hair. Keep your cats coat brushed at least twice a week for shorthaired breeds and usually everyday for longer hair breeds to avoid it getting tangled, to keep it clean, and most importantly to most cat owners - to keep the shedding on the furniture to a minimum.

Caring for your cats eyes is relatively simple. On occasion you will notice that they get a whitish material in the corners of their eyes. In order to keep this material from entering their eyes and irritating them, use a clean damp cloth and rub over the eyes from the inner corner of the eye to the outside corner of the eye. You may find it useful to have someone help you by holding the cat while you wipe their eyes, and make sure you are gentle. If your cat seems to have a lot of discharge from their eyes that does not clear up in a few days, consult your veterinarian as it may be due to illness.

Ear, nose, and teeth care are also usually relatively simply. Once a month check your cats ears for dirt, do this but folding back the cats ear and looking for little flecks of brown. Use a clean, dry q-tip and run it along the ear where you see the dirt. DO NOT stick the q-tip down in the ear. It is usually helpful to have someone assist you with holding the cat, since they do not like this procedure. If you are uncomfortable doing this, ask your veterinarian to show you how at your next visit. Some cats have very little dirt in their ears and do not require that this be done, ask your veterinarian if you are unsure. For the nose, simply make sure it is clean by removing any sticky particles with a clean, damp cloth. Teeth should be checked and brushed once a day to remove any buildup. There are over the counter cat brushes and toothpaste you can buy at most pet retailers. If you notice a brownish buildup schedule your cat for a teeth cleaning since it can lead to irreversible gum disease.

There are many types of litter available for your cat, including clumping litter that forms large clumps after coming in contact with your pet's waste, silica based litter that absorbs odors but does not clump, and clay based litter which is inexpensive, but needs to be cleaned more frequently and can be dusty leading to health problems with your cat. You should ask your veterinarian what brand they recommend best since there is some debate over the best kind. Regardless of what you are told, you have to find the kind your cat likes most, will use, and keeps you sane.

Your cat, like any other animal, will need to be vaccinated at scheduled times and cats that are permitted outdoors will need more vaccinations than those who are indoors solely. Starting when they are a kitten your cat will need these basic vaccines: FPV, FCV, and FHV yearly. Some veterinarians also administer CP and feline leukemia vaccines yearly, and some states require a yearly rabies vaccination. Your cat may need more or less than these vaccines, make sure to schedule your cat with at least a yearly veterinary appointment to check on his/her overall health and get updated on any vaccines that are needed.

There are three main types of food available for your cat, dry, semi moist, and wet. Each type of food has its pros and cons. Some cats and kittens are very fussy on which they will eat. Most veterinarians agree that a mix of dry and wet food is best. You should consult your veterinarian on which is best for your cat, since each cat has its own individual needs. I do recommend that you buy the premium food sold by your veterinarian or pet store due to the rising concern and proof that most cat foods are not meeting the standards set for them. The extra cost will be worth knowing your cat is getting all the nutrients it needs to live a long and healthy life.

Last, and just as important as the above mentioned topics, are your cat's emotional needs. Most people view cats as solitary animals that do not need much attention. While there are a few breeds out there who prefer the independent, quite life, most cats need just as much attention as other animals. They need you to pet, comb, talk, and play with them on a daily basis. You do not have to buy expensive toys to entertain your cat, but you should make sure he/she gets plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. You can get great ideas on how to make cat toys with everyday household items on the Internet.

Now that you know the truth about cat care, go do your best to provide a loving home to your cat and feel good knowing your doing all you can to give them a happy and long life that will have many rewards to come!