What sort of duties should I look forward to on a daily, weekly and monthly schedule when taking care of a house cat?
2006-12-14 15:50:07 · 13 answers · asked by B M 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Every day you need to scoop the cat's litter box, feed it (twice a day for adults, more often for kittens) and provide clean water, and play with it. Cats can be solitary, but they need play time to keep from getting fat and lazy.
At least once a week (daily if the cat is long haired) it should be brushed to help it's skin and fur.
If it's not declawed, you will want to clip its claws once in a while. I've heard some people say monthly, but if I go more than two weeks on my cats, they get really long.
And then there's the vet schedule... if you have a kitten you may find yourself in the vet pretty often at first or I guess anytime you adopt a shelter cat, as they're more prone to catch illnesses there (but very much in need of loving homes!), but once they're older and healthy, that would usually be a yearly visit.
It's all very much worth it in my opinion.
2006-12-14 16:01:38 · answer #1 · answered by Kimaire : 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you're looking at an outdoor-indoor cat (just get a small doggy door installed) very little. You feed the cat once or twice a day (depending on meal size) and well, the cat will take care of the rest. You bring the cat in for shots every couple of years (3 is typical), replace the flea collar every few months, or use one of the squirts- these work better. apply to the nape of the neck, and bandage your face. get a collar for the cat so people know it's not feral if you do that. Ours has a several year old flea collar... After that, the Cat will take care of the rest.
But you will need to set boundaries during the kitten years, and that can be a head ache. But after that... smooth sailing.
Indoor declawed cats are much more work- you have to feed them, make sure they remain inside, and empty the litter box. Still not much, but a lot in comparison.
all Cats are self cleaning, so no baths. Long haired cats sometimes need to be shaved, but that's not always necessary.
but a cat is low maintenance. You do very little for a loving, though independent, pet.
2006-12-14 17:59:28 · answer #2 · answered by The Big Box 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Daily: Fresh Food, Fresh Water, playtime to keep the cat from getting bored.
Weekly: Changing the liter box 2-3 times a week, plus giving the cat tons of attention.
2006-12-14 16:11:22 · answer #3 · answered by Kikyo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the indiviual cat, their bred, their personality, their health, their history,... etc.
You may get a Male that Sprays everything and tries to tear you to shreds while demanding to eat food every hour, water every 20 minutes and a litter change every two hours.
You may get a female that NEEDS you to pet her every minute your home and if your away for more then 30 minutes she becomes depressed and disappointed to the point she stops eatting for a few days, cries constantly, and only wants touched while your asleep.
The best thing you can do is get your cat fixed at 5 months or immediately if they are older, constantly have food and water out for them (people that control these things are the ones that put eatting disorders INTO their cats because their cats bodies are trying to keep them alive), change their litter some where between every day to every month, constantly offer a safe place for affection, constantly have one comfort toy and one play toy available, check when that indivual cat needs their next shots in relation to their current shots and age,... you will likely need to get them a check up atleast once per year.
2006-12-14 17:00:32 · answer #4 · answered by sailortinkitty 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends if you want the cat declawed, spade or neutered. Also you do the food and water 2 times a day. The only bad thing I don't like about the cats in the house is the cat litter. YUCK! You usually have to change it about every 3 days, also depends how much your cat goes and how smelly.
2006-12-14 15:57:49 · answer #5 · answered by red_shorty_76 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can get cat litter boxes that can dump the urine and etc in a box. A self serving food and water dishes. Most of all they need to be loved and played with and you can have a great bonded friend. My cat was more like a dog than a cat. He would fetch, come when called, and meet me at the door wanting to be held
2006-12-14 16:59:41 · answer #6 · answered by dynamicDee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats are easier maintenence than dogs. You feed your cat 2 times a day (morning and evening), change the litter box every 1-5 days, and bring them to the veterinary clinic to be spayed/neutered and checkups. The litter doesn't cost alot and food cost isn't that bad either. The yearly checkups and other visits can be costly though.
Happy Holidays.
2006-12-14 16:13:25 · answer #7 · answered by J RO 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A cat wants to be your friend. But he can spend time on his own as well. I have 3 of my own and I find it is better to have at least 2 so that they have each other.
They are not near as much work as a dog and they are just as lovable and wonderful.
Very well worth it. But dont expect to get a cat if you dont have any time. They need love and affection.
And clean water and healthy cat food.
2006-12-14 16:43:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats require surprising little maintenance. Clean the litter box daily, brush them daily or twice a day if long haired. Feed them every day, and play with them a bit. A check up with the vet once a year as well as a tooth cleaning. And please remember to spay or neuter your pets!
2006-12-14 16:00:25 · answer #9 · answered by lord_greatmane 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, daily you must feed the cat & give it LOVE & attention. depending upon how much it poops/smells you scoop or change the litter daily to once a week. yearly it gets an exam & shots at the vet.
really, cats are very self-sufficient. they just need petting.
it is a good idea to get an indoor cat de-clawed and it is always good to get any cat neutered/spayed.
2006-12-14 16:08:34 · answer #10 · answered by christy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋