Keeping our adult cats happy and stress free results in a more enjoyable relationship and strengthens the bond they share with us. The responsibility of caring for a cat can be a 20 + year commitment and knowing the basics of what care to provide to them can help to maintain their health and happiness for years to come.
Litter Box Cleanliness
Keeping the litter box clean, on a consistent basis, will not only keep your cat happy but you as well. Lack of litter box cleanliness can lead to stress in cats and can contribute to urinary tract problems which are uncomfortable for your cat. Cats are very sensitive when it comes to litter box cleanliness and when it is not up to par they will chose to go elsewhere. This can be frustrating to owners, when their cat chooses to go to the bathroom on their bed, but can be often corrected by maintaining the litter box appropriately.
The majority of cat owners use clumping litter as it is fairly easy to maintain. This litter should be scooped daily and refreshed by adding new litter as needed. In general the whole box should be dumped, cleaned, and refilled with fresh litter once every 4 weeks.
Other non clumping litters should be discarded daily and the box should be cleaned thoroughly before more fresh litter is added.
Nail Trimming
Cats have nails both on their front and back paws that continuously grow. In order to keep these nails sharp, cats will scratch on vertical surfaces. This scratching behaviour will also help to keep cats nails worn down. Some cats scratch more than others and from time to time a cat may need to have its nails trimmed to prevent them from growing around into the foot pad. To maintain your cats nails at a healthy length check them every couple of weeks to evaluate whether or not they need trimming. Nail trimming can be done at home, at the groomers, or at your local veterinary clinic.
Veterinary Care
Taking your cat annually to the veterinary hospital for an examination, with a veterinarian, will ensure they stay on a healthy path. Veterinarians can suggest nutrition and medical options that will help keep your cat healthy and help to prevent disease. After examining and assessing your individual cat, your veterinarian can suggest an appropriate vaccination and parasite prevention program.
Vaccinations are a large part of your cat’s veterinary health program. Vaccines work by helping to provide immunity, to your cat, in hopes of preventing disease. All cats, whether living indoors or outdoors, should be vaccinated to prevent disease as it is possible to bring certain diseases home on your clothes after visiting other cats or areas where other cats have been. Small animals which may get into your home, like mice and bats, can carry Rabies which can be transmitted to your cat if they hunt them within your home.
Indoor and outdoor cats may also be susceptible to both intestinal and skin parasites. Keeping your cat on a parasite prevention program, recommended by your veterinarian, will help to keep them feeling their best and prevent any possible spread of these parasites to the humans they live with.
