Can you give me some positive advice on being a cat owner?

Question

I am getting my daughter a cat next week. I am not an animal person, so I need some good advice.

What is the best cat litter to buy?
What is the best cat (kitten) food to buy?
How often do you have to bath your cat and what is the best shampoo to use for your cat?
Which would be better, male or female cat?
And what about toys and sleeping bed for the cat?

This will be an inside only cat.

Please feel free to add any additional information that may be helpful. Since I don't like cats, but I am trying to be positive for my daughter, I want to start things out right.

Answer 1

In my opinion: The best cat litter is Special Kitty--it's a crystal blend and it is scoop-able. Buy litter box liners, too. You won't regret it!

I feed my cats Iams indoor formula. It has all the right nutrients. I strongly advise against moist food because it can cause teeth and gum disease.

Don't bathe your cat! Most cats keep themselves clean; especially house cats. If you think they need a little cleaning, use wet wipes and clean them that way; it gets rid of excess hair, too.

I have a female and male. If you get a male you'll want to neuter it as soon as you can. Many times unneutered male cats will mark their territory--had a friend who's male cat peed in her stove.

Toys yes; there are many, many types. A bed? Maybe, but usually the cat will choose it's own special place.

If your cat will NEVER, EVER go outside, I recommend having it's front claws removed. It will save your furniture ...

Cats are wonderful! They are independent, don't need a lot of attention and very smart. Good luck!

Answer 2

First, you made a wise choice picking a cat and not a dog. Cats are clean, they clean themsevles all the time. They also use a litter box and make clean up pretty simple. For the litter box, you want line it with some brown bags, trust me you want to it will make your job alot easier. You have to scoop the all that fun stuff everyday. And every so offen change it all togther having the brown bags will allow you to dump it without stuff stuck to the bottom(ew) pretty much any litter is good, just don't use a gentric brand because who knows what is in them these days. Get something senented so elimate the smell. I have always given my cat 9lives, I give moist can 1/2 in the am and 1/2 in the pm. A kitten probably wont need that much. I leave out a small bowl of dry food the whole day. Make sure you replace the water offen. I would recomand a male. I have had both, most of mind being males. Either way you need to get them nutratred or spayed because they mark there scent. I would recomand a bed so you don't get into the cylce of having a cat sleeping on everything. They have a area that they know is there they will go, but other wise any funturate will become there and that goes with there hair. Make sure you buy a brush, brushing several times a week elimates shedding, keeps the fur clean and they enjoy it. Cat's really enjoy any toy. My cats chase tinfoil balls. They have so many options any are good. One day try cat nip, it's funny to watch them get waky and they enjoy it. The cat will grow on you, there such mooshes.

Answer 3

A neutered male cat would probably be the best choice for you. Choosing the right litter box and litter can be a real pain. Any of the clumping litters are a good choice. You are going to need a good litter box, I prefer the kind with two pans and a strainer but I also have an automatic litter box which works fairly well. Cat food is important, I feed my cats only dry cat food, I keep their bowl full all of the time and I buy only a good brand. If your cat is going to be inside there will be no need to bathe it, and after you have given a cat a bath you are not going to want to bathe it. A cat bed can be a good thing, but don't be surprised if the cat still sleeps on the furniture, cats don't operate on the same rules as people. I wouldn't go overboard on toys for your cat, they generally ignore them. You should also be aware that cats sharpen their claws and they can destroy your furniture in the process. A cedar scratching post can help but don't be surprised if the cat still uses the furniture, cats don't operate on the same rules as people.

Answer 4

any clay cat litter is good just scoop the box everyday. l find the cheeper litter works better the kind with deoderizer in it just mix the smell in the air. keep the box in basement or some privet spot in the house where cat can easilly find. anywhere away from the kitchen is best. feed cat every day buy the best food your cat likes but do not buy the cheap sunshine or walmart brands go to the pet store get science diet or some other good brands. also give cat clean water everyday.Most cats don't drink enough water. take food away till they drink clean water everyday. give cat lot's of Love. Spay and nuter your cat also a male cat may get very wild if not nutered a female will be in heat all the time if not spayed.
cats keep themselves clean you might never have to bathe them unless they have flea problems.

Answer 5

I ahve a cat my self and i suggest a kitty litter box with a cover cats can make a BIG mess. Be sure to clean the litter at least once a day. get a brush for your cat for when it starts shedding. Be prepeared for any bites or scratches. Get a spray bottle full of water for when your cat gets bad. Cats are very hard to take bath and I suggest the groomers, but if you do wany give a cat a bath be sure its warm water and have gloves and animal shampoo. (there is also a dry spray you can use) Cats also ALWAYS need water for hairballs. Cats also perfer hard food but if a baby soft food of course. Be sure the cat has a bed and a sratching post or the cat will scratch up your couch. hope I helped.

Answer 6

For cat litter use the clumping kind. It's much easier to clean the litter box. When the kitten is young I prefer Kitten Chow for food, once it is full grown the brand doesn't matter all that much. My cats actually prefer less expensive food over something expensive. We have both a male and a female cat and both are loving and affectionate. They love to sleep on their scratching post in front of the window, or on a blanket on a bed. In general they don't spend much time on the floors. Oh, and their favorite toys are fake mice.

It's good to hear of a parent putting aside your preferences for your daughter, so many people don't.

Answer 7

Cats are wonderful pets, I absolutely love them, we have 4.
The best litter to buy is the scoopable kind, you don't really need to bath your cat unless it is especially dirty, just buy a good cat brush, and groom it, most cats love it. As far as male or female, it really preference, and you really should get your cat fixed at six months of age, this is a little more difficult for females, thus it is a little more expensive.
Buy lots of mice toys, with bells, and cat nip. And sleeping arrangements, cats will find their own sleeping space, but an little bed would be nice.
Inside outside really depends on where you live, is it safe ?
any road/highways near by or do you live in the country ?
Kittens teeth just like any other baby, so they will like to chew on things, and scratch things, it is their nature, get the biggest scratching post, and leave a little cat nip on it to intise them to use it and Not your furniture. Plus if you find them doing something you don't like, instead of hitting, use a water bottle to spray it, they hate that, but it won't hurt them.
As soon as you get your kitten, please take it to the vet, just to make sure everything is good. You don't want to bring fleas your something in to your home.
Hope all of this helps, good luck, and remember be patent, animals are just like kids.

Answer 8

the best cat litter to buy is arman hamer flushable because u can flush it down the toilet. cat food for now get anything that says kitten formula like purena and when it gets older try meow mix. I have two femail cats they are great had two male cats before they where great to but watch out when they spray pea in diff areas of your place that means they need to get fixed. the best toy to get is that cercal thing with a ball round the middle and the middle has a cercal carbord scracher so they wont scrach your furniture. if u get 2 cats make sure there the same sex.

Answer 9

Oh darling, cats are soooo easy. Try to stick with a clumping litter...tidy cats is good. you do pay more for it but it saves you a messy smell when it comes to clean up.
Any kitten food will do..feed a hard food daily. If you're going to give the cat wet food in the can, try to portion it. don't spoil the cat on that or he may get fat.
cats are very independent animals. you can pick up some basic cat toys at your pet store but they always find fun in things around the house...milk caps, shoe laces, paper bags. they'll find their own cozy spot to sleep.

Answer 10

They're cuddly and they can really help you through hard times. They know when your sad. They can make you laugh. I hope that you and your daughter get along well with your cat!

p.s.- stop interacting with the cat if it's tail starts going back-and-forth.