Cats may act independent and secure, but they still rely on us to provide for their basic needs. This article will give a list of the minimum of items you need for your new cat.
Cats are naturally clean and dislike dirty and smelly litter boxes. The first thing to do to keep both yourself and your cat happy is ensuring the box is squeaky clean.
Many household objects can be dangerous to cats, dogs, and even children.
Kittens and puppies are probably at the biggest risk, since they are so curious.
Dogs are physically able to eat and digest many types of food.
Some cats and dogs get an upset tummy when changing foods, but a gradual change helps prevent problems.
Unless you have or are getting a prescription diet and your veterinarian says otherwise, the following schedule is a good help to transition your pet to a new type of food without problems:
Days 1 and 2 – mix 3/4 of the old food with 1/4 of the new food
Days 3 and 4 – mix old and new food half–and–half
Days 5 and 6 – mix 1/4 old food with 3/4 new food
Day 7 – give 100% new food
If you see signs of problems during the week, slow down the transition.
Yes, cats are obligate carnivores and must ingest meat to survive.
Saying cats are “obligate carnivores” doesn't mean they like to eat meat and dislike crops – it means their bodies are unable to produce certain nutrients.
A cat carrier helps keep your kitty safe during transport. You need a carrier to take your cat to the vet, to travel, and in case you need to evacuate your home during an emergency.
Cats like to scratch things – it's a natural instinct – but it doesn't have to a be a problem if we provide options.
Cats can be quite territorial – especially if they're used to being the only cat – but they can and will form close friendships with other cats. Be patient and give the process time; some cats require up to a year to decide if they like someone or not.
Cats like to be warm and often want to curl up in a confined space – like the cat bed – because it preserves body heat.
Cats can get heat strokes jut like humans and other pets, but the average cat likes warmer temperatures than dogs and people.
Many cats and dogs are great friends, but reaching that point can take some patience.
If your dog isn't used to cats, start with considering the dog's personality.
Many cats live to their 20s and the time put in on raising a kitten will reward you for many years to come.
Depending on the age of your kitten, they may need a special kitten diet – and eat more often than an adult.
Cats are experts at hiding illness, and we humans most often discover it through a change in their habits.
Indoor cats need flea and heartworm prevention – fleas and other insects can catch a ride on your own shoes, pant legs, or with the family dog.
Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes. Heartworm disease is rare in cats compared to dogs, but it still happens and there is no cure for cats.
Most pets take to their new cat door or dog door quickly – they want to get to the other side – but others need some training. Many get it in a few seconds, others might need a week or two.
Cats are very smart, but they are also more impulsive than dogs and have limited patience.
Yes, lilies are very toxic to cats and ingestion can cause severe illness and even death.
Your cat can be affected even if they aren't the type to bite plants – it's enough for them to get some pollen on their coat or paws and clean themselves.
Antifreeze is very toxic to pets and leads to many deaths every year.
The problem for pet owners is, it's not just the antifreeze in one's own car – there can be puddles on the road and in parking lots.
Never use products intended for dogs on cats, unless the packaging specifically states the product can be used on a cat.
Cats perceive the world in a way different from humans; they see in color, but not the same way we do, and the muted colors help them detect movement.
They can see quite well in low light conditions – they see well at about one sixth of the light a human needs – but they can't focus on anything closer than a foot away.
Cats' eyes don't actually glow at night, but they have a special structure in their eyes that can reflect light.
A cat has something called the tapetum behind the retina in the eye.
Dogs and cats have a much better sense of hearing than the average human, and sounds that are acceptable to us may be extremely loud to them.
Dogs can pick up sounds that are four times as far away than something a human can hear, and they hear a wider range of sounds than we do.
No pet door can guarantee that the cats don't go outside with the dog.
The cat may not have a key to open the PlexiDor Electronic, but cats are fast and smart, and if they want to go outside, they'll figure out that they can use the door with the dog.
Cats have a unique skeletal structure that allows them to move in ways humans and dogs can't – the average cat can jump six times its own height.
It is because of their skeletal structure cats are able to balance on the top of fences, absorb the shock of jumping down from heights many times their own size, and land on their feet.
The PlexiDor cat door accommodates cats up to 24 pounds and is sufficient even for very large cats.
There is no reason to get rid of a cat just because a baby is coming; this is a myth, and pregnant women all over the world have cats.
The myth that pregnant women shouldn't have cats is based on a parasite known as toxoplasmosis.
If your cat yawns when seeing you, it may be an attempt to communicate; cats yawning show a contented and relaxed mood to other cats.
Many cats like to sleep on their humans; it makes them feel safe, warm, and comfortable.
Cats like to be warm and prefer a slightly higher room temperature than humans.
With regular veterinary exams and routine care, most indoor cats live to their teens and many into their twenties.
Your cat will very likely tell you that only dogs drool, but that isn't entirely truthful.
Upper respiratory infections (URI) are fairly common in cats – it's like a human catching a cold – and since these infections are caused by viruses, antibiotics won't help.
Arthritis is common in both cats and dogs. Pets are experts at hiding discomfort and disease, but early diagnosis can help manage the pain as well as prevent further damage.
While cats enjoy a somewhat warmer room temperature than most humans, they are just as sensitive to extreme heat as we are and can get heat strokes.
Cats can't sweat like humans; they can only cool themselves through panting or sweating through their foot pads.
A cat's whiskers are more than just facial hair – they're sensitive organs that provide the cat with information about its surroundings.
The stiff hairs on a cat's muzzle, eyebrows, and on the jaw are connected to follicles brimming with nerves.
Kittens in the USA need the FVRCP vaccine, rabies vaccine, and maybe vaccine against feline leukemia. The recommended vaccines can depend on where you live, so it's a good idea to discuss with your veterinarian.
A cat rubbing its head against you or your possessions is a compliment. Cats have scent glands all over their body – and their face – and use these glands to leave a scent mark.
Many cats seem to gravitate toward people who are allergic to cats, or don't like cats. This isn't because of malice; it stems from cat body language.
If your cat eats cardboard, plastic, paper, or something along those lines while staring at you, it's probably a call for attention. Same thing if the cat stares at you while knocking things down on the floor.
Just like humans, cats need to stay within a certain weight span to remain at optimal healthy. Being too heavy – or to thin – puts a strain on the body.
Cats generally don't need to be house trained like dogs. They like to relieve themselves in sand, and most times you just have to show them where the box is.
Tinsel, string, and ribbons can be deadly to cats and dogs, and should be kept away from pets.
Cartoon kittens are often seen frolicking with a ball of yarn, but in reality all forms of string – even shoe laces – pose a potentially lethal danger to cats and dogs.
Eyes are the mirrors of the soul, and cats communicate a range of emotions through their eyes. The slow-blink is also known as the “kitty kiss” and signals affection.
When you take your cat, dog, or other pet for a check–up, the veterinarian wants to make sure there aren't any new or hidden illnesses.
It is a good idea to keep track of a pet's weight. How often they should be weighed depends on age and overall health.
Pet food bowls often don't make it to the dishwasher, but they should be cleaned regularly. The FDA recommends washing pet food bowls, food dishes, and utensils used to scoop food after each use.
Cats are masters at hiding illness, and it's often easier to note a change in their behavior than the illness itself. Here are some changes to watch for. Change in appetite Cats need to eat regularly.
Most pets push their dog door or cat door open with their heads, but the doors open so easily they won't get headaches.
If a pet door were to cause a pet pain, they would be unlikely to use it.
Dogs, cats, and other animals can get cancer just like we humans. Around one third of cats in the USA over the age of ten will be diagnosed with some form of cancer.
Kittens born minutes apart by the same mom can look completely different, and might have different dads! The one that looks like a Siamese may be from the same litter as the calico, the tabby, and the one with orange stripes.
Having two kittens can be less work than having one kitten – they entertain each other, and having someone to play with prevents other forms of mischief. Also, two kittens who form a bond will always have someone to cuddle with.
Cats like music, just not human music.
In 2015, researchers designed an experiment with music created in a tempo and frequency range similar to that of cat communication. 47 cats got to listen to human music and to the songs created for cats – and pretty much ignored the things we enjoy.
Cats have shorter lifespans than humans, but with proper care, many cats live into their 20s.
When it comes to wet food, many cats have a preference for the newly opened can and refuse to eat food that has been in the fridge for just a couple of hours. The behavior can seem odd to us, but there's an explanation: cats don't like cold food.
When people talk about cats, they often mention TNR or TNVR. It means Trap-Neuter–Return, or Trap-Neuter–Vaccinate–Return.
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