Cats Make Great Pets

An Article from Pets Corner.

Cats make wonderful companions for children and adults alike. Cats by nature, are curious creatures. They are independent and like to roam where and when they please. Ever heard of this saying, “Dogs come when they're called, but cats tell you to take a message and get back to you later”. Ask any cat lover and he or she would tell you how true that is.

Therefore, before you think of purchasing or adopting a kitten, it is indeed very important to look at all aspects of owning one as a pet. You should be prepared to care for him for his basic needs, that is food, shelter, annual check ups, vaccinations and most important of all, your time spent in building that special bond with him.

Kitten protection for your home

You don't have to discourage their curious nature, but you do have to be prepared for it. Please note the list below for your kitten's safety.

• Store all poisonous or dangerous materials in a tightly closed cabinet.
• Keep toilet lids down. Your kitten could fall in.
• Store plastic bags in a drawer where your kitty can't get to them. Kittens love to bat bags around, but they pose a threat of choking and suffocation.
• Keep household items like string, sewing supplies, rubber bands, twist-ties, etc,. away from your kitten as they can be easily swallowed.
• Electrical cords should either be tacked to the wall or wound up and bound so your kitty won't risk getting shocked.

The right start — Choosing the correct food for your kitten

• Choosing a pet food that is nutritionally balanced, without excesses or deficiencies will help avoid health problems for your cat
• It should be also fortified with vitamins and minerals including anti-oxidants for extra protection against diseases.
• Feeding the right food to your cat will help avoid adult diseases like obesity, diabetes as well as organ damage when they are older.
• There are many pet food in the market, and the choice made by you will determine the health of your cat. Do remember, however, that the transition from one pet food to another should be done gradually within a period of 7 days so that your cat will not have a tummy upset or diarrhea. Feeding too much food can also cause diarrhea in some cases.

Play areas for your kitten

It is your kitten's nature to want to scratch your furniture, your drapes, etc. But contrary to what you might think, it's not doing this only to sharpen its claws (you'll notice that even cats that have been declawed still do this). Cats usually scratch for exercise. They also scratch to mark their territory. A good way to prevent your kitten from scratching the sofa would be to provide him a scratch post that is tall enough to let your cat stretch out along its full length. Your kitten will notice and use it more and more if you put in plain sight. He will then play near it and gradually he will be drawn to the scratch post rather than the furniture. Catnip herbs are wonderful in distracting your kitten. You can place some catnip herbs in a cloth tied in a sachet and leave them near the scratch post to encourage playing in those areas. Your kitten will certainly have hours of fun.

The best person you can rely on would be your veterinarian if owning a cat is a totally new experience for you. Do ask your veterinarian's advice about the important vaccinations if you bought it from the breeder or pet shop.

If you live in an apartment or condo, it is best to make use of cat litters for a clean, hygienic environment. For those of you who allow your cat out, make sure you have some form of identification tag on her so that even if she ever gets lost, someone who finds her can trace you, her owner, easily.

However, when you expose them to the outdoors it is best to keep your eyes open since they can get into injuries. They are also susceptible to disease, fights with other animals and traffic accidents. We have all heard of tragic stories that some of our lesser fortunate pets have gone through.

Brushing Your Cat

How often your cat needs grooming depends upon several factors: type and length of coat, weather conditions, etc. Generally speaking, short-haired cats should be groomed about twice a week, while long-haired cats should be groomed daily. You will soon find the grooming frequency that provides the best results for your cat. It is important to establish and adhere to a regular grooming schedule. These sessions should be scheduled at a time that is convenient for you. Make sure that you allow time to provide proper grooming and are not likely to be interrupted.

Why is regular grooming important

Regular grooming is essential to your cat's health and well-being. Regular combing and brushing will keep the coat clean and healthy, stimulate the skin, and allow the natural oils to circulate to the coat. It will also help to prevent hairballs, which are the result of loose hair being picked up by the cat's tongue and then swallowed. These hairs sometimes accumulate in the cat's stomach forming hairballs which can be harmful to the cat.

Grooming will also allow you to check for potentially serious problems. Check for areas of hair loss, inflammation, unusual tenderness or lumps under the skin. Good grooming habits also prevents fleas and ticks on your pet and thus helps keep them under control. Constant scratching in a particular area may also be an indication of a problem. Check with your veterinarian about any unusual problems you may find.