Raising a Happy Healthy Cat – From Kitten to Adult Pets

The happiness and health of your pet depends on you providing them with a safe and loving home.

Is your home safe? A checklist

• Revolving windows can be fatal for cats. If stuck they may not be able to free themselves. Reduce the risk by applying special guards.
• Indoor plants: Poisonous plants should be removed before you bring them home. Find out in the list of dangerous plants for cats
• Washing Machine: The open washing machine attracts cats. Therefore, always close porthole door.
• Kitchen: Hot pots, plates and toasters  can cause serious injuries to curious cats. Cat need to be supervised in the kitchen until they are mature enough to understand the normal dangers of a household.
• Household cleaners, medicines, open flames, sharp objects, trash bags should always be kept out of reach. Especially from young cats, they like to discover their world by nibbling and licking objects.
• Electrical cable: Especially the young kittens are vulnerable to playing and chewing the power cords, and especially those power cords which have lose tape on them. All power lines should not be accessible to your cat.
• Curtains: The adult cat knows that curtains are taboo. On the other hand kittens enjoy climbing on curtains and sometimes hang themselves on curtain strings. Therefore, your job is to discourage them constantly and without any remorse.

Resting and sleeping space

Food and water bowl

Before adopting a pet, you must survey your house and prepare it for the arrival of new family member. The ideal location for food and water is in a quiet corner in which the cat is not disturbed while eating. The bowls should be made ​​of stainless steel, plastic or glazed clay, so they are easy to clean. You must allow quiet and peaceful dining time for cats and avoid noises that might inter fear with their meals . In a situation where there might be several cats living together should each have their own bowls, even if they sometimes eat from the others bowl.

Cat Toilet Training

This is a little tricky business. Type and size of the litter box, litter, location and especially hygiene. The litter box must be large enough that the cat can turn around. As for the litter, each cat has their own preferences. The cat will let you know and you may have to try a few to see whichever works better for the cat. The litter box should not stand near the food and water bowls. Daily cleaning and keeping the water bowl full is very important.  The first toilet must not have too high for the small kittens, otherwise they will look around for another place for their needs. So get the litter box with easy access for small pets.

Scratching post or scratching board

It is natural for the cats to exercise their claws and find nearby scratching posts, like couches and other furniture. The commercially available scratching posts will prevent doors and furniture from being destroyed, however, cats must be gently and persistently admonished for destructive behavior. This is very important for all indoor cats, and indoor/outdoor cats will rarely use house furniture as a scratching post. Placement of the scratching post should be determined by the areas where cat passes frequently. Scratching posts come in all sizes and variations. A home made scratch board from cardboard can also be used in some cases and is a good alternative if space is an issue.

Comb and Brush

A comb and a brush are essential for grooming, especially for long hair cats. Long haired cats need to be brushed more often than short haired. With a brush or a dimpled rubber glove you can remove dead hair from the coat of short-haired cats. For long hair cats a metal comb is will work the best, for short-hair you can brush with a regular human comb. A soft brush, such as with natural hair, ensures a shiny coat and stimulates blood circulation. Combs must not have too sharp prongs.

Cat Doors

Indoor/outdoor cats have different needs which require a kitty door and whether their a restriction on the outdoor access at a certain time of the day. Cats are night owls, especially the young ones and during the warm summer nights. Most cats like the freedom of leaving the house and coming back whenever they want, off course this is only possible in safer neighborhoods. Cat Doors are available in many different variations and can be inserted into the door or into the wall. Some are controlled electronically: They let in only the cat wearing the transmitter on the collar, this helps in situations where other pets and wild life are in abundance.

Neighborhood Viewpoints

Cats prefer raised viewing areas. It probably makes them feel that they’re in control of things and have a strategic advantage in the area. Cats also enjoy warmer places such as your stereo equipment. The bookshelf space can become a favorite place. Sometimes they find closets, and other household items where they find their comfort and solitude.

Exercise

Cats are hunters and need to play the game, and the game of hunting fulfills their ability to maintain mental and physical balance. This also relieves excess energy, prevents boredom and strengthens the relationship between humans and animals. Suitable examples are balls made ​​of solid rubber, sisal and chasing humans.

Transport

For travel and trips to the vet a cat carrier is important. Again, there are different models of different materials come in different sizes: plastic, wicker basket or a bag? Some carriers come with a handy roof opening.