What does a cat need for a happy life in your home? Love and care! Thanks to them, your pet will delight you for many years.
Essentials for a cat
Bowls
The cat should have at least two bowls – for food and water. Dishes should be washed after each meal, and the water should be changed daily.
Bowls are produced from:
- Plastic
- Metal
- Ceramics
- Glass
- Porcelain
Plastic bowls are inexpensive, but quickly deteriorate due to damage to the surface.
Metal is durable, easy to clean, and the material does not affect the taste of food.
Ceramic, glass and porcelain bowls are strong and heavy, so it will be difficult for a pet to move such an object.
You can choose a model on a leg or stand, double or single, in a word, such that it is not only convenient for the cat, but also becomes an original element of kitchen decor.
To keep the floor clean, we recommend placing a special mat under the dishes, which will facilitate cleaning.
Do you have to leave the cat alone, and there is no one to feed it? Automatic feeders and automatic drinking bowls provide water and food at a given time. There are both simple models consisting of a timer and a feed tray, as well as complex interactive designs that can be synchronized with a smartphone.
Sunbed or cottage
Cats are big lovers of comfort, so they need their own place to rest. It is better if it is a soft sunbed or a cozy house, which will reliably protect against cold floors or drafts.
Rurri loungers and cabins are made from durable materials that are easy to care for. They can be washed in the washing machine on a delicate cycle.
Toys
Toys not only support physical activity, help satisfy the hunting instinct if the pet is too playful, but also distract him from scratching his hands and feet.
It is better if the pet has several models of toys, for example, “fishing rod”, which can be moved with a paw, a ball or a clockwork mouse, which he drives with pleasure. Check here for more details about best cat product at love cat stuff.
Another entertainment option is interactive models. They will entertain the cat in case you need to leave it alone for a while.
Tray
First of all, a cat litter box should be comfortable for your pet. So, a kitten will not like a model with high sides, and a too low tray is unlikely to suit a Maine Coon. If for some reason the cat does not go to the tray, watch her: perhaps it is not suitable for her.
Remember that kittens at first defecate immediately after sleeping or eating. For this reason, you will not always be able to immediately take the baby to the tray. Therefore, it is recommended to lay disposable diapers on the floor for kittens.
IMPORTANT! If the cat for some reason does not go to the tray, do not punish her physically! Use special means for accustoming and for elimination of an unpleasant smell.
Filler
The choice of filler is no less important than the choice of tray. The fact is that each cat has its own tastes, so a particular species may simply not like it. We recommend purchasing several small packages of different fillers and see which one your pet will like.
There are two types of fillers – absorbent and clumping. The second type, when in contact with liquid, forms lumps that are easily removed from the tray. Absorbents simply absorb and retain moisture.
Types of fillers by material:
- Wood. They are compressed sawdust, which crumble when liquid enters.
- Silica gel. Are economically spent. However, they are not recommended for kittens, as they can cause poisoning if the baby swallows the pellet.
- Clay. On contact with moisture, they form a lump that is easy to throw away.
- Corn. Eco-friendly option can only be absorbent.
Homebody litters are made from natural materials that are completely safe for cats. They reliably absorb moisture and an unpleasant smell.
Do not forget also about the inventory, which will greatly facilitate cleaning – scoops and bags for trays.
And to ensure cleanliness in the toilet, place a special mat under the tray. The filler remains in the cells of the mat, and it is easy to dispose of it, for example, rinse with water or remove it with a vacuum cleaner.
Scratching post
Cats have an instinct to sharpen their claws. In the wild, they use trees for this purpose. However, in an apartment, four-legged people choose everything that comes under their paws – furniture, wallpaper and other interior items.
Therefore, we recommend that you make sure that your valuable things remain in excellent condition. The scratching post will help with this.
The classic post is convenient because the cat can stretch out to its full height in order to sharpen its claws. Floor models can be installed anywhere, while corner and wall models help save space.
If space allows, get a whole complex for your pet, which includes not only a scratching post, but also a house, toys, stairs and even hammocks.
Care products
Caring for a cat is an equally important point in caring for her.
You will definitely need:
- Nail cutter. Cats’ nails grow quickly, so they need to be trimmed at least once every three weeks. For this, a special tool is used – a claw cutter.
- Shampoo. Periodically, every pet needs hygiene procedures, especially if it is very dirty. When choosing a shampoo, consider the type of coat and age of the animal.
- Brush. Usually needed for representatives of long-haired breeds that need regular combing, especially during the molting season. Be sure to consult with the groomer about which brush is right for your four-legged.
- Lotions for cleaning eyes and ears. In these places, secretions often accumulate, which must be removed. Means intended for people are not suitable, because their composition is not adapted for the cat’s body.
- Paste for removing wool. While licking, the tailed friend swallows his fur. Accumulating in the stomach and intestines, it can cause serious health problems, from vomiting to blockage. It is advisable to give the cat a paste that promotes the safe removal of wool.
- Paste and brush for cleaning teeth. Oral hygiene should become a healthy habit for your pet. Diseases of the teeth and gums are dangerous pathologies that, in advanced cases, lead to serious diseases. It is advisable to brush the cat’s teeth every day, but a longer interval is acceptable – once every three days.
Means for ant parasitic treatment
Fleas and ticks cause a significant impact on the health of cats. Flea bites are painful, cause severe itching and skin problems in the animal – eczema, sores, dermatitis.
Ticks are carriers of dangerous diseases, among which there are deadly ones (for example, encephalitis or Lyme disease).
Flea and tick remedies are available in the form of:
- Shampoos
- Collars
- Drops on the withers
- Tablets
- Sprays
- Powders
Helminthes reduce the immunity of a cat, and in case of a serious defeat, they can lead to death.
As a drug for worms, you can choose:
- Tablets;
- Suspension;
- Drops on the withers.
Veterinarians recommend ant parasitic treatment every three months. When choosing a remedy, the weight and age of the cat are taken into account.
IMPORTANT! Do not select an antiphrastic agent on your own! Consult a veterinarian for advice!
Choosing the Right Cat Food
Proper nutrition is the key to a long life and excellent health of the cat. The optimal diet for her is one that contains a large amount of protein, and also takes into account the daily requirements for vitamins and minerals.
There are 4 classes of cat food:
- Holistic. The highest class. The content of fresh meat in it is 70 percent or more. Grains, which are often the cause of allergies, are absent in such diets.
- Super premium. The meat content is also quite high, but a minimum amount of offal is allowed. Cereals can also be found, but only those that contribute to the normalization of digestion. Most often it is rice.
- Premium. Meat is also present in such diets, but the main ingredient is offal. There are also cereals: corn or wheat.
- Economy. They are made on the basis of by-products and cereals.
When choosing a diet, it is necessary to take into account the age, lifestyle and health of the cat.
For example, kitten food is not suitable for older cats, because they are quite high in calories, and also contain an increased amount of phosphorus and calcium, which can adversely affect the health of an adult pet.
Also remember that neutered and spayed animals need specialized nutrition to reduce the risk of obesity and urolithiasis. The same applies to tailed friends with chronic diseases.
Recommended Cat Foods
Grandin
Class: holistic.
Assortment: dry, wet food in cans and pouches.
Grandin foods are made from fresh meat. Sources of vitamins and minerals are fresh vegetables, fruits and berries.
Mealfeel
Class: super-premium.
Assortment: dry and wet food, rations in spiders.
Mealfeel feeds take into account not only the age, but also the lifestyle of the cat, the state of health. For example, there are diets for couch potatoes, spayed pets, and cats with sensitive digestion.
Wellkiss
Class: super-premium.
Range: Dry food.
Wellkiss – diets based on natural ingredients. There are low grain and grain free foods.
As for which type of food is better to choose, dry or wet, it is up to the owner to decide. Both types are equally useful, they differ in cooking technology: dry food is dehydrated, and wet food is soaked in the juice of the meat itself or broth.
IMPORTANT! Make sure you always have clean drinking water in your bowl.
Brief conclusions
Don’t forget that a cat doesn’t have 9 lives. A mustachioed pet needs human care and love. Only then will he please you with good health and longevity.