how do you take care of a cat?

Question

I've been reading the answers and I think I need to have Fonzie neutered. I don't know much about cats. I found him at a store and the girl said he was a stray that hangs out there and I could have him. He's really cool. Big and black and fluffy. I hope I'm not bothering anybody with all my questions but what are things Fonzie needs? I got him flea meds from a vet. I think he's happy here, I've had him a couple of months. We mostly just hang out. He doesn't like the phone ringing. He runs when it rings. I got him a rawhide chew toy to play with.

Answer 1

A cat needs the like basics quality food, a litter box, proper vet care etc which sounds like you have.

Cats like to lay in the sun, so I leave my curtains open on the south side of the house for my cat, also they like to chase things bottle caps, balls of paper, or you can buy some toys specially for cats at a store. Make sure you examine the stuff you give him and every so often after, check for chew marks, bits that are falling off, any type of damage, that could lead to him swallowing the toys or choking on it.

About the phone thing you may have to live with it. Don't try to hold Fonzie down or make him stay It will only make it worse. You can try to get a different phone with a quieter ring tone.

Answer 2

If you provide clean water daily; and feed him everyday (some cats can be free fed and won't over eat) as well as provide a litter box.Clean the litter box Daily, scoop out the poop and pee if using clumping litter. All should be well. You should take your cat to the vet once a year. It is law almost everywhere That they have rabies vaccines yearly. Distemper is another important vaccine as well as feline leukaemia. Some of these are spread by droplet i.e. another cat hissing in your cats face. We had a very neurotic cat, he did settle down once he was neutered. Cats love cat nip, and toys filled with them are great. You can get feathers from the department store and tie them to a string and hang the string in a door way for more toys for you cat. They love attention and if you give them some before bed time they will usually be less bother during the night. Some cats love to be brushed, this will help loosen hairs and decrease hairballs. They are not fun to step on at night. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I used to work at an animal sancturary and we wouldn't let the cat go home until an agreement was signed to get it fixed. Some say you have to have him fixed so he doesn't spray, but if he is already spraying when you fix him that won't matter. If they are too old they still may begin spraying after they are neutered. Some cats will just spray no matter what. I had a female cat that peed on rugs to mark her teritory. Spraying isn't really the reson why we wanted them fixed. In many cases a spayed or neutered cat will live longer. I can't recall all the resoning behind this, but one is that they are more susceptiable,(did I spell that right?), to things like ovarian cancers and what not. Also fixing them is good becuase popultaion control.
Yearly shots should be given too. My cats only stay indoors so the only ones my vet reccomended they get were rabies and luekema. If your cat goes outside there are a few more he should get too, but check with your vet. I personally reccomend keeping him an inside cat, but my boyfreind argues that you have to let a cat go outdoors to be a cat. Chances are he won't live as long that way, but it's up to you.
As for what your cat needs, he will need all the basics. Litter box, food, water, warm place to sleep etc. Also if he is not declawed a scratching post is a must unless you want your sofa to be one. Of course he will need things to entertain him. This doesn't mean you have to go out and buy a bunch of costly toys most cats are more entertained by the simple things anyway. I have cat toys, but most of the time my cats prefer to play with houshold objects like the top off of a milk jug and balls of tinfoil. I have one cat that as a kitten liked to play with balls of paper, but now he thinks it's okay to chew up papers he isn't supposed to so that is one that I would not suggest.
Above all the cat just needs some love. As for him running when the phone rings. He will most likely get over it. It is just unfamilar to him. Then again my cat never got used to somethings such as strong smells like peppermint. It just depends on the cat. GOOD LUCK WITH FONZIE!

Answer 4

I think the rawhides have been declared dangerous for dogs. Soft cat toys with catnip in them might be better. Cats don't really need to chew as much as dogs.

The book "Cats for Dummies" is an excellent reference for you to have in starting cat ownership. It deals with health issues, diet, nail trimming, neutering and just about anything you need to learn about cats.

Since he is a male cat use a good quality canned food with him, not dry. Use Wellness, Natural Balance, Felidae etc. You can order Nature's Logic and Nature's Organic from www.petfooddirect.com. They have the Wellness and Natural Balance in my local pet discount store. The Nature's Logic and Nature's Organic are more expensive and you don't have to use it all the time. Get a couple of cases and then use the less expensive stuff and change around every day. You will avoid a lot of expensive veterinary problems in future by putting a little more money into quality food from the start.

I LOVE big, fluffy, long-haired black cats!

Answer 5

Hey I got my cat and he was a stray. I have had him for over a year now. I bought him some catnip mice the refillable ones, cats love strings, and my cat loves to pull the toilet paper off of the roll and run out of the bathroom. I just paid a lot of attention to him and he has gotten a little more friendly. My cat hates the vacuum and he will never get used to that maybe turn the ringer down if you can.

try some of those ideas I don't think he will really like the rawhide toy sorry

Answer 6

It's great that you're taking care of Fonzie!

Yes, chew toys are good. He will need to be neuterred, and he will need shots for rabies, distemper, and feline leukemia. That's not really bad these days: My husband and I just got boosters for our three, and the vaccines are combined in a 'cocktail' so the kitty will get poked only once.

He will need a box with good litter so you can keep him indoors, and he will need food (of course). Since you say he's fluffy, you might want to get him a hairball control formula chow. He will also need fresh water available.

A lot of people like to get special beds for their kitties, and I agree that it would be nice. But it's not really needed: They will sleep anywhere that's comfortable.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Please get him neutered. He will be a much better pet, and not contribute to the unwanted feline population.
Get a sisal wrapped scratching post. We've had 100% success with them, and about 0% with other kinds. Cats need to scratch to keep their claws in shape - or they become disfigured. The alternative is usually your best furniture.
If you live in a city, I would suggest you try to adapt Fonz to living indoors only. Otherwise you run a high risk of having a flat-cat on the road. Most use the "closed-eyes" method for crossing roads - "if you cannot see the traffic, it cannot hurt you."
Other than that, cats are as close to self-maintaining pets as possible - and the longer you live together, the more he will become attached to you (and vice versa).
-Good luck, enjoy.
-Howard

Answer 8

All you have to do is feed him and love him he will be fine , and you have to remember that you sdid he was out side he is not use to being inside a house with phones ringing so this is why he runs , he will get use to it and he sounds beautiful ,give him love .He will be your friend forever .

Answer 9

Cats like string and bells and catnip toys, maybe one of those scratching posts or hideaway things.

Answer 10

He needs his shots. Rabies, Leukemia, Etc.

His own dish, bed, (if you're that into spoling them) collar and pleanty of catnip/feather toys.

You also, need to catproof your home by keeping houseplants and cords out of his reach -- or at least somewhat simliar, given cats do what they damn well please.