Cat Care Guide

Cat Housing

Cats are generally known for being hardy and having independent natures, however they have some basic care requirements common to all animals. One of these is the need for shelter. Some people choose to keep their cats indoors and other people choose to keep their cats outdoors. Often, people will keep their cats both indoors and outdoors some cats spend the majority of the day outside and come inside at night to sleep or to shelter from inclement weather. There are positives and negatives to both ways of housing your cat and the personal choice is really down to your preference whether to kep your cat indoors or let it roam outside of your house.

Cat Feeding

The diet of your cat has a great effect on the overall lifestyle and life-span of your cat therefore it is an important decision to make when selecting the correct cat food for your pet cat. One of the most important parts of your cats diet is the inclusion of taurine which is an amino acid added to their food as they cannot produce this by themselves. The reason for this is that taurine helps reproduction, growth and development, as well as maintaining a healthy heart muscle. Another important fact to remember when selecting your cat food is to never feed them dog food or a vegetarian option as this will not provide the correct nutrients needed to maintain a healthy active cat. At Prestwood Petzone there is a wide selection of cat food available for you to purchase with tailored food to suit the different stages of your cats life from a kitten to old age, in order to provide the correct nutrients and vitamins they need for their life cycle. The most common commercially sold types of cat food are dry kibble and canned wet food. Dry food is often less expensive than canned food and may be stored or left out for long periods of time without spoiling. You can choose to either fed your cat through set intervals throughout the day or place a large section of food for your cat to feed on throughout the day. It is advised that you use the first method when feeding your cat as this helps to control the amount of food your cat is eating however if your cat can regulate its food intake well then you may find the second method more beneficial to your cat.

Cat Grooming

Most cats are very concerned with cleanliness and will often spend hours grooming themselves. Shorthaired cats, in particular, seem to need very little grooming. You may brush them in order to aid them in loosening dead fur or removing detached hairs from the coat. Because cats lick themselves, they may ingest a great number of hairs on a daily basis. This can cause problems in some cats and your veterinarian may recommend a hairball remover. Long coated cats will require daily grooming to ensure that their coats remain in good condition and do not become tangled or knotted. It is important to groom all cats at least once a week as this will help to remove the dead hair that could cause hairballs if swallowed. Unlike dogs, cats do not enjoy getting wet so bathing should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. The best types of brushes or combs to use on a cat are soft bristle brushes or a slicker brush to remove any dead hair.

Cat Toys & Play

Toys and play offer great ways for your cat to gain a healthy way to exercise plus it will also allow you to interact with your cat and gain a bond with their owner. To help promote these features with your cat it is recommended that you purchase a selection of toys such as a scratch post, furry toys and balls that a cat can chase. You should always supervise your cat whilst playing with toys in order to prevent any injury or harm to your pet cat.

Cat General Care

Some of the main illnesses and injuries to look out for with your pet cat are ear mites, hair balls, bites, scratches and abscesses. All of the above are easily treatable and we will now discuss the symptoms for you to look out for with your pet cat. Firstly ear mites will cause irritation making your pet cat rub its ear there will also be a dark/reddish brown waxy secretion in the cats ear. Ear mites can be treated by using a lotion that will kill the mites. Hair balls is a common problem with cats especially breeds with long hair and during the moulting season. The symptoms are vomiting due to the build up of hair in the cats stomach from it grooming itself. To prevent this from happening you should brush your cat regularly plus specialised food is available to help the digestion of hair. If you notice any scratches or marks on your cat this is often due to the fact that they have been injured by fighting and often these injuries can become infected. To help prevent infection of any wounds to your cat you should bath the wound at least three times a day and consult your vet for a course of anti-biotics to help heal the wound. If any of the above problems persist it is advised that you seek medical help from your vet.