Ultimate Guide in First Time Cat Ownership

February 03 2019, 0 Comments

Types of Food to Feed Your Cat

What you choose to feed your cat can have a lasting effect on its overall health and performance. There are three different types of food that you can feed your cat such as canned, dry, and raw.

Newborn kittens should always be fed kitten formula due to them being newborns and need to consume food with high calories for their growing bodies.

Canned Food

• Cats comes in like chunks, slices, minced pieces, pâté, or chunks in gravy.

• Better quality and premium canned foods often have meat (poultry, beef, fish, etc.)

• You can find these foods at most pet food stores and online.

• Less fillers means there’s more nutrition packed into one can

  Dry Food

• Dry food is better for a cat’s teeth.

• Less moisture content

• Contain Higher Percentage of Carbohydrates

• Dry food is more convenient for longer hours away from home

  Raw Food

  If you wish to transition to any of the three it helps to feed him a small amount of the same food to keep him on a consistent diet and make a slow transition to whatever food you plan on feeding him.

Essential Items to Buy

Food Dishes and Water Bowls

The best bowls to purchase for your pets are made out of stainless steel and ceramic due to these types of bowls being easier to clean.

Always keep a bowl of water in locations that are easily accessible for your pet and also remember to change the bowls water daily to keep it fresh.

Berlin Collection

Scratching Post

In order to avoid unnecessary damage to your furniture and other household items, it is recommended that you purchase a scratching post for your home and place it in an easily accessible area. Depending on the size of your house you may need to purchase more than one.

Sleeping Spots

Most cats sleep a lot during the day, so give yours a comfortable place to rest. This could be a cozy cat bed or just a soft blanket of his own.

Some prefer sunny, warm spots to sleep; others want to hide away in someplace dark and private. Notice where your pet sleeps most often and put the bed in that area.

Tuck Me In

Kalahari Lounge Bed

Litter Box

• If you plan on getting a cat as a pet you will need one litter box for each cat you have in an easily accessible location. There are different types of litter boxes such as open and covered.

• Litter Boxes come in a variety of sizes and you must make sure you purchase the right size depending on your size of your cat.

  Litter

• There is different type of litter that are sold online and in stores such as clay, clumping, pine pellets, corn and recycled newspaper litter, etc. Depending on your cat one type will work better than the other and its odor best to start with least expensive and switch to different types if it’s not capturing the odor.

• Once you find a litter that works its best to stick to that type rather than purchasing other type to avoid any confusion with your cat.

  Litter Scoop and Bucket

• When purchasing a litterbox choose a scoop that will work with the type of litter you buy and small bucket to dispose of dirty litter.

• A litter mat is recommended to pick up excess litter from your cat paws when he leaves the litterbox.

• Scoop your cats’ litter twice a day to keep it clean and replace the litter once a week to your house smelling fresh. Before you replace the litter its recommended that you clean the litter box.

  Bathe Your Cat

  Cats clean themselves throughout the day by licking themselves but still require extra care to remain clean.

• When cleaning them use a gentle shampoo that specifically design for cats and avoid getting soap or water near their eyes or ears.

• Avoid using specific shampoos for fleas or ticks unless prescribed by a veterinarian.

• After your bathe your cat make sure that your dry him using a towel then brush his coat.

  Keep Your Cat's Claws Trimmed

  Maintaining your cat claws is important to your cat’s well-being due to being unkept can become long, sharp, or broken and can cause them to cut themselves or you.

  Trimming your cat claws twice a month

The front claws usually grow faster than the back
Use sharp scissors due to dull scissors may tear the claw rather than cut it.

If you have never trimmed your cat claws before then you should take your cat to a professional.

How to Trim a Cat's Claws:

1. Start off in a well-lit room

2. Make sure you cat is steady before attempting

3. Use a flat surface to place your cat.

4. When trimming front paws, press gently on one toe until the claw extends out.

5. Locate the ‘quick’, which is the pinkish vein that extends down through the nail.

6. Trim only the tip of the claw. Do not get close to the quick.

7. Repeat this with each toe, including the ‘dew claws’, which are on the inner part of their front legs by their wrist.

8. Keep a small container of pet styptic powder on hand in case you accidentally cut the quick. If this happens, put styptic powder on the nail and put pressure on it with a paper towel to make sure the bleeding stops. As long as you’re very careful and do not get near the quick, this shouldn't happen.

It is recommended that you start this from an early age, he or she will get used to it more easily. Afterwards give him a couple of treats to make the experience positive.

Paw and Nail Scrub Brushes

Nail File-For Dogs or Humans-6 Pack

Brush Your Cat's Teeth

Always remember to brush your cats’ teeth regularly to remove plaque, and prevent gingivitis which can lead to tooth loss and swollen gums.

Please to purchase a toothbrush that is appropriate for your cat size and if you need assistance please contact a veterinarian for advice.

Brush Coat Regularly

In order to avoid mats from forming in your cat’s coat which are clumps of hair that are have become intertwined with each other and is often hard to remove without removing the pieces of hair itself.

It is recommended that you brush you cats mat at least twice a week using a regular bristle brushes or metal bristle brushes if your cat sheds a lot. If you’re not sure what to purchase that its always recommended you contact your veterinarian.