Cat and Kitten Care
When you’re thinking about adding a new member to your family, you’ll want to make sure you know how to properly care for a cat or kitten.
If you haven’t owned a cat before, it can sometimes be daunting trying to think of their needs. From safety to grooming, we’ll outline all the ways you can care for your new cat or kitten properly and things to keep in mind throughout the life of your cat.
Diet & Feeding
Kittens (up to 1 year) should be fed 3-4 times throughout the day, and adult cats (1+ years) should be fed 1/4 to 1/3 cup
1-2 times daily. Fresh, clean water should be available at all times. Milk is not recommended—it could cause diarrhea.
Identification Tags
Break-away collars are recommended for cats so they cannot get caught on something. Make sure the collar is not too loose or too tight, and adjust the size as your cat grows. Always have an ID tag on the collar.
Grooming
Brush your cat frequently. Hairball remedies may be given periodically and can be purchased at PetSmart.
Ears
Check often for dirt and/or ear mites. Clean the ears with ear cleaning solution recommended by your vet.
Nails
Trim nails regularly (every 2 weeks) and have a scratching post available at all times so the cat will not damage your furniture.
Litter Box
The litter box should be in a quiet, private place. The box should be cleaned regularly, and always available. You should have at least 1 litter box per cat.
Exercise and Play
Cats and kittens love scratching posts, paper bags, catnip toys, and balls. Make sure toys are safe—no bells for them to swallow or yarn to tangle their intestines.
Environment
Cats should not be allowed to be loose outside. They may be subjected to being hit by a car, stolen, poisoned, disease, and death.
Transportation
Always carry your cat in a carrier or have it wear a leash & collar. If a cat gets frightened, it could jump out of your arms.
Fleas
Use products recommended by your veterinarian labeled for cats only.
Veterinary Care
Your cat should see the vet once a year for a physical and recommended vaccinations.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.