Basic Care of Cats
- 1). Vaccinate your cat to prevent common cat diseases. This is especially important if your cat goes outdoors where it may be exposed to other cats. Speak to your veterinarian about which vaccinations he or she recommends and when. According to Peteducation.com, kittens may first be vaccinated against common diseases such as distemper, calicivirus and rhinotracheitis as early as 6 weeks. Most cats, indoors or out, must be vaccinated against rabies in accordance with local laws.
- 2). Provide clean food and water bowls for your cat. You should make clean water accessible to your cat at all times. Dietary needs vary among cats, but most cats prefer to "graze"; that is, they like to eat several small meals throughout the day.
- 3). Keep the cat's litter box clean of waste by removing feces at least once a day. The box should be completely emptied, cleaned with hot soapy water, dried and refilled with clean litter once a week. Some cats are extra picky about the litter box and may stop using it if it gets too dirty.
- 4). Place at least one scratching post (unless the cat is declawed) in the home. Cats' claws grow continually. Scratching is how the cat removes old, dead layers from its claws. According to the Humane Society, cats will also scratch to mark territory, stretch out and relieve tension.
- 5). Treat the cat for fleas, whether it is an indoor cat or an outdoors cat. Once warm weather hits in the spring, fleas are usually a given. Even indoor cats may suffer from fleas, as fleas can hitch a ride on your clothes or shoes to enter your home and seek out your cat. Use a veterinarian-approved flea medicine that is specifically designed for cats. Topical flea medicines for dogs often contain high concentrations of permethrin, which is dangerous for cats, according to Modtownanimalclinic.com.
- 6). Bring the cat in to a veterinarian once yearly (or more frequently if necessary) for an annual check up. At this time, the cat can be vaccinated (if booster vaccinations are necessary), checked for parasites, weighed and examined for overall health. Unless the cat is very mellow and doesn't mind car rides, it's usually best to use a cat carrier. You can buy hard-sided carriers and soft sided carriers from pet supply stores.