10 Cat Care Tips You Need To Know

Have you ever wondered how it is that beings that are so different, such as felines and humans, can develop such a strong bond? Following these cat care tips will help you and your kitty form an even stronger bond and better enjoy each other's company. These tips cover subjects such as preventing litter box problems and bringing out your kitty's hunting instincts.

1. Handle your cat as much as possible - if you do this, she'll do better when it comes time to get checked by the vet or have her claws trimmed. Some cats just don't like to be picked up no matter what. But, if you can start handling your cat often when she's a kitten, chances are good she'll better accept it later in life.

2. Give your cat a quickie physical - grooming sessions are a good time to examine your cat for common health problems. Check for fleas, ear mites, and signs of pain, swelling, or injury. Check your cat's eyes, teeth, gums, ears, skin, and limbs for problems.

3. Provide a bed by a window - house cats love warmth, so much so that they've been known to singe their tail hair on hot stoves. So set up a nice comfortable bed for your cat by a window so she can sunbathe.

4. Make kitty an indoor cat - following the recommendation from every major cat care organization, keep your cat indoors for better health, safety and a much longer life. Cats can live out a healthy life indoors. They can get the level of exercise they need, and survey their territory from a nice spot in front of the window.

5. Your cat wants to hunt, so let her - I'm not talking about rats. Get a few treats and spread them around the house to bring out the hunting instinct in your kitty. Also, try throwing dry food bits and watch her chase them down. This will make feeding time more interesting for both of you.

6. Lots of litter boxes - the objective is to have a fresh, available box to use at any given time for each cat. Some cats don't like using a box that was recently used, even if they were the one to use it. So, follow the one plus one rule, which is one box for each cat in the house plus one more additional box.

7. Clean the box morning and night - clean the litter box twice a day and change out the litter completely every few weeks. When you do, thoroughly clean the box and disinfect it with bleach. Keep the box sparkling clean, and this will help prevent any possible cat litter box problems that might arise.

8. Play with your cat often - dangle toys for your cat to play with, or have your cat teach you to play fetch. Chase your cat around the house whenever you can. Get your cat exercising every day and you'll help lower risks of diabetes and other diseases.

9. Provide a variety of interesting cat toys - always leave your cat's favorite toys accessible, but rotate the others to keep it interesting. You should not leave your cat unsupervised while playing with most toys, however, as injury can occur. Also, a shoe lace, belt, or rope, if used safely, can make a great interactive toy. Playing with toys provides exercise for your cat, and fun for both of you.

10. Get your cat a feline friend - every cat lover knows that two cats are better than one. When you can't pay attention to your cat, a playmate in the house will. A second cat around the house will help to stave off boredom, encourage exercise, and offer comfort. Bored kitties are prime candidates for behavior problems, and are more likely to cause mischief.

Keeping your cat indoors will help keep her safe, and ensuring she exercises will keep her healthy. Nurturing your cat's instincts, and paying more attention to her will make your kitty a better adjusted family member. The above cat care tips concerning the litter box may prevent future headaches, and the health check is just a good habit for the two of you. Copyright 2008 by Kurt Schmitt