2006-10-02 05:03:14 · 19 answers · asked by eva.licious! 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Wow, you sure found some cheerful folks didn't you!?!
Cats are wonderful
Get a book called "Idiots Guide to Cats". Fun, informative and really all you ever wanted to know about all things cat.
Some tips just off the top of my head:
Indoor only cats live longer healthier lives, not to mention your neighbors appreciate it.
Spaying and Neutering are essential. Call animal control or the SPCA for more information. They have programs to help if you can't pay.
Premium food, while more expensive, will save you the cost of vet bills in the future. Look into Innova EVO (the best in my opinion), California Natural, Wellness, Artemis, and Felidae.
Read "Foods Pets Die For" by Ann N. Martin for all the gruesome details.
BTW, cats like canned food warmed up in the microwave ;-)
Squirt bottles set to stream work very well in stopping unwanted behavior. Don't "mist" them, if they don't feel the water hitting them, they don't get the point.
Feel free to ask me anything, I LOVE cats.
Good Luck and enjoy your new little friend
2006-10-02 05:14:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Buy premium cat food with no bi-products in it, found in pet stores. Don't buy the cheap (or expensive?) grocery store food, it is full of bad quality stuff. Nutra, or Innova EVO are good. Feed kitty a bit of premium canned food, mix it with a bit of water and warm it in the microwave for a few seconds, and give it some premium dried food. Kitty will get a lot of moisture and nutrients from the canned food, dry food might help with tarter, and cat might prefer it best. Always have fresh water near the food. The high quality food will keep kitty nice and healthy, which can prevent future vet bills.
Use clumping litter. It is much better than the regular clay litter. Clumping litter allows you to remove the urine and feces so the smell is reduced and you don't have to empty the entire box as often. Clean box at least once a day with a scooper.
Play with kitty, it needs companionship.
Never hit or yell at the cat, it doesn't teach it anything and can be abuse.
If the cat starts urinating out of the litterbox and onto your carpet or couch or wherever, take it to the vet to make sure it doesn't have a urinary tract infection or crystals in the urine.
At the first sign of illness, take it to the vet...
Don't get it declawed, it is cruel, like cutting off your fingers at the joint.
Take it to the vet yearly for shots.
Get it spayed or neutered.
Keep it as an indoor cat to increase its life expectancy, it is dangerous for cats outside.
2006-10-02 07:03:29 · answer #2 · answered by hello 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First off - cats are AWESOME pets! They're like little, furry independent people. They come when you call because they want to.
DO NOT DE-CLAW!!!! Look at your your palm, imagine cutting the last joint of each finger off? All our nerves and cats nerves, end at our/their fingers. Think how that would feel? Sure they'll live but can you really think that doesn't hurt somewhat forever!!!! Use a spray bottle and train them not to claw furniture and for sure give them a scratching post where it is OKAY to scratch! People declaw who are too ignorant/lazy/impatient to train. Makes you wonder what they do to their kids who misbehave!
Use clumping litter with a metal scoop (to not break the clumps when scooping) and scoop regularly!
Play with it everyday, try simple toys like rolled up paper balls and paper grocery bags or my cat's favorite, highlighter pen caps! She fetches those like a dog!
Give plenty of love and attention.
Stay away from smelly wet food or snacks of ANY kind. Cats can be finicky but if all you ever give them is dry food then they won't know any better plus you won't be playing hell with their stomachs which will make your life tougher (smellier) in the litterbox department ;) So, give dry kitten food for now and switch to dry cat food at the appropriate age (mix them together for about a week during the switchover).
Keep fresh water always available.
Oh and most important, keep your cat INDOORS where it's safe and it'll live a long happy life!
2006-10-02 07:43:06 · answer #3 · answered by FortheFuture 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your cat is under a year old, feed her a good quality kitten food to provide her with plenty of protein and calories, since she is still growing. I prefer dry food, because you can leave it out (presuming she is an indoor cat) to let her eat when it suits her; also, it's better for her teeth. Be sure that she has plenty of fresh water at all times; don't feed her "people food." Make sure that she has a clean litter box at all times; nothing will send a cat away faster to eliminate in an unwanted place than a smelly box. Make sure she has a warm spot to sleep; cats particularly enjoy places that are well above the floor. Toys are at your discretion, but it's not something I'd spend much money on. Keep her up-to-date on her vaccinations, and keep her indoors to extend her life. About the only other thing your cat needs is lots of affection, and lots of down time for naps!
2006-10-02 05:30:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Congrats on getting a new kitty!
First, make sure your cat is spayed or neutered, do not declaw it, and keep it inside. That, in addition to regular vet check-ups will help your cat live a long, healthy life.
Cats are nibblers, so always have plenty of fresh water and a bowl of dry food available. Wet food is ok as an occasional treat.
Trim your kitty's nails about once a month and get it a scratching post, so you won't have to worry about scratching problems.
Keep the litter box scooped out and change the litter regularly.
Cats like all kinds of toys, experiment with wand toys like the Cat Dancer, catnip filled stuffed toys, ping pong balls, a laser pointer, your cat will let you know what he or she likes best.
Brush your cat to cut down on shedding, most cats like a good brushing anyway.
Find a good cat sitter for when you go away on vacation, cats get lonely when their humans are gone.
Most of all, treat your kitty with the love and kindness all animals deserve, and have fun, cats are great companions!
2006-10-02 05:22:10 · answer #5 · answered by Lee 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Sure.
Be very mindful of what you're feeding your pet. And with what you water him/her. There's some info at http://www.catnutrition.org http://www.catinfo.org and many other places. Raw meat is the best diet; if you feed the cat dry food only, s/he will certainly end up dehydrated and that leads to long-term health trouble (cats don't get thirsty enough to drink all the water they need).
Consider having him/her fixed.
Please don't get him/her declawed. It really is bad, considering the fact that about half of the operations end up in immediate (PAINFUL) complications for the cat, and about 20% get painful complications later. A lot of the cats develop agressive behaviour, litter problems, and what not. It's amputation of a significant part of the cat's paws. Used for many things.
Play with your cat regularly (i.e., daily). If you do it every evening, your cat may skip the waking-you-up during the night. Mine hasn't waken me up in months.
Pay attention to your cat, that way when you need to teach her/him something, you will know the way.
Do some research on sites - there are wonderful sources of information out there - how to start, what to get, what much of your cat's behaviour means...
2006-10-02 05:07:27 · answer #6 · answered by AlphaOne_ 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes, be sure to clip your cats nails. Don't declaw because they get arthritis when they get old. Be sure to by some scratch posts or they'll scratch everything up and toys. Hard foods are better for cats but u can add the canned food mixed with their meal. I noticed with my cat if I give her a little catnip she gets really happy.
Oh and most cats will wake u up early in the morning so be prepared for that. If you keep your bedroom door open the cat will certainly meow and lick you awake. If you close the door your cat will still meow and cry loudly. My cat still crys when I close the door and i've had her for 6 months.
Good luck!
2006-10-02 05:09:35 · answer #7 · answered by vc 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Choosing a cat before you get a cat is a very important point to be looked into with all its relevant features.
First see whether your children or any distant relative for whom you have to get a cat is expressing the desire. There are many times, children would have seen some specific cat species in cat shows. Hence, first clarification has to be made on the specific cat species to be received.
Aged people may prefer to have cats and so, one has to consider the nature of species also because there are certain cat species that may be furious and may not like confinement in a house. Hence, choosing a cat depends on the general temperament of the cat species, length of hairs etc.
After choosing a cat, one should not abandon the cat for any reasons and hence, one has to clarify whatever be the doubts they have on cat rearing before choosing a cat.
However, if for some medical reasons when the cat is abandoned, there are many cat welfare organizations exist in different countries to help people in choosing a cat from their catteries.
Similarly, one should think on health care measures and strategies that are related with maintenance of good coat condition in their cat species before choosing a cat.
Cat with dullness, poor coat, tumor like growths on body, signs of diarrhea, Dyspnea and cat with any abnormal signs like fits should not be chosen.
Hence, choosing a cat need not be taken as a routine matter and it involves adaptation of many precautions and of course, a veterinarian may be consulted on the probable diseases that generally occur in cats. Cat breeders will help in choosing a cat often.
2006-10-02 05:12:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Wow. Seems some people don't much like cats. Wonder what they're doing in the pets>cats section?
Keep the litter box clean. (I like scoopable litter, it's easier) Keep your baby inside (they live longer and are healthier, less prone to fleas, worms, diseases). Buy the best food you can manage, Hills Science Diet, Iams, etc. and lots of toys! Take him to the vet regularly for checkups and vaccinations. and love him a lot - he'll pay you back! (one of mine saved my life when my fiance died in 1997 - he still comes to comfort me if I'm crying - the first night I got him home, he crawled up on my chest and went to sleep under my chin) Cats are more than worth the small amount of trouble they take to keep them comfortable.
2006-10-02 05:10:32 · answer #9 · answered by Baby'sMom 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Get it fixed and declawed if you want it to be an indoor cat. Don't listen to all the people who complain about it being inhumane. If they put the cat out to fix it anyway, it won't feel a thing when it's declawed and will be healed in a few days. It will save your furniture, handbags, all things leather, your carpet, your walls and door frames and your arms from being shredded. Especially important if you have children. The most important thing, though is that it must remain indoors because it couldn't defend itself outside.
2006-10-02 05:07:15 · answer #10 · answered by dbackbarb 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋