Let’s start with the most basic of needs for any
living creature: food. Feeding a cat is not rocket science, but there are some common mistakes
and misconceptions that many people make. For starters, cats need
water but don’t tend to drink it out of a bowl the way dogs do. For that
reason, you need to give your cat a mixture of both dry and wet food to keep
them healthy.
It’s also very important that you’re giving them food
that provides the proper nutrients. Regardless of your personal tastes,
vegetarian and vegan diets are simply not healthy for cats. There are nutrients
in meats and animal products that cats must have to survive. This can also be a
problem with homemade cat food. It’s best to stick to quality, commercially
available brands.
Flea,
Tick, and Heartworm Prevention Medication
You know the old saying, “an
ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?” It’s always better to do what
you can to prevent your cat from getting fleas, ticks or heartworms than to
have to treat them after they have them. Unfortunately, if your cat spends any
time outside, they’re exposed to these nasty critters. Fortunately, there are
several ways to stop them from getting in your cat’s fur and tummy.
There are several products that cover all three of
these common pests. You just need to carefully evaluate the dosing instructions
based on your cat’s size. You’ll also need to decide if you want to give them
the medication in oral or liquid form. Generally, the oral versions can be
mixed into food and the liquid ones are applied to the fur on the cat’s upper
back. The choice really comes down to your cat’s temperament and eating habits.
Grooming
Supplies
While your cat may not enjoy being bathed, a clean cat is a healthy cat. Supplies to groom a cat are basically what you might expect: shampoos, nail clippers, and brushes are the major ones.
If your cat tolerates baths well, you can add extra
shine to their coat with conditioner. On the other hand, if your cat hates the
water, bathing wipes are a decent alternative. They will clean and moisturize
with lanolin and aloe vera.
Practical
Items
Most of these items are fairly obvious, but it’s easy
to forget some small essentials. So here is a list of the basics: you’ll need a
bed, a food dish or two, a litter box and a travel carrier or crate. If your
cat is outdoorsy and adventurous, or if they’re jealous of the family dog and
want to go on walks, too, you might consider a harness or leash.
The
Fun Stuff
Last, but certainly not least,
you’ll want and need toys for your puss! You’ll find a limitless number of
options on the market, which is great, but if you feel overwhelmed by too many
choices, stick to the classics. Balls are always good. So are scratching posts.
Squeaky toys never go out of style. The important thing to remember is that you
want to use toys that encourage your kitty to exercise.
Keep these essential items in good supply, make sure
to visit your vet regularly, and a healthy, happy cat can be a great friend and
part of your family for many, many years!