Food intake can be closely monitored, which means it will be easy to tell if your cat has had a change in appetite. In addition, if you have the joy of having a multiple cat household , all cats will have access to food without one being dominant over the others — one cat could be eating all the food and gaining too much weight, and the other cat s could be missing out on the nutrients they need to stay healthy.
Cats might beg for food between meals. Your cat cannot control how much she eats at a certain time. However, if you are following your veterinarian's advice with proper amounts and regular feeding, you can rest easy that she is indeed getting the right amount of food and nutrients. While kittens should be fed up to three times a day, once a cat becomes an adult at about one year of age feeding once or twice a day is just fine, says the Cornell Feline Health Center.
In fact, feeding just once a day should be acceptable for the majority of cats. Again, always check with your vet before deciding on a feeding regimen. If you have multiple cats, ideally each cat should have her own food and water station in a quiet, low-traffic place where the cat likes to spend time, The Cat Doctors advises. That's because cats are solitary eaters — they prefer to be alone when they eat.
If you're not considering other options, you might be wondering if free feeding is an acceptable method. When you free feed your cat, her food is available at all times. Keep in mind that only dry foods can be fed in this way because wet food should not be left out throughout the day. If you're noticing that your cat is leaving dry food in her bowl for more than a day, you should still throw it out to maintain its freshness.
Free feeding cats can lead to overeating and obesity. It can also be difficult to tell if your cat's appetite has changed, for the better or worse. It's also difficult to tell, if you have multiple cats, how much each one is eating. While free feeding can lead to extra weight if not correctly managed, there are ways to allow free feeding that keeps your cat's weight and food take into account.
Make sure to properly measure the amount of food necessary for them for the day. When the food is gone, don't fill it back up until the next day. This will teach your cat to feed throughout the day, rather than gobble it all down at once. Another option for free feeding cats, it's a good idea to use a food puzzle with pre-measured food so you control how much and how often your cat eats.
In an interview with Scientific American , cat behavior expert Mikel Delgado says she likes food puzzles not just for rewards, but as a way to feed cats every day. No one would hand them a bowl of mice," Delgado says. Mixed feeding can be defined as serving canned food as a twice-daily meal and dry food is freely available. Combination feeding allows your cat to eat multiple, small meals per day on her own schedule. You can monitor appetite at least partially when you feed her wet food.
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It also gives cats the nutritional benefits of both wet and dry food. Combination feeding, like free feeding, can often lead to overeating and obesity, so it is important to measure the food out and not refill her bowl until the next day. If you have multiple cats it can be difficult to monitor each one's total food intake, so any form of free feeding may not be the best option.
Both wet and dry food have advantages and disadvantages, when it comes to your cat. For instance, cats diagnosed with certain medical conditions — such as urinary and kidney issues — might benefit from the higher moisture content in wet food. Dry food, meanwhile, is better for a cat's teeth and is easier to store. If you do try combination feeding, consider using a food puzzle so your cat feels challenged by playing with her snacks.
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If you have a multi-cat home, keep in mind that the volume of food offered should not exceed the total calorie requirements for all the cats each day. Otherwise, your cat or cats could become overweight, leading to a higher risk of developing other health problems. No matter what method you choose, measure food out each day to best track how much your cat is eating. If you need to, try different types to see what your pet likes best. There are big differences in the quality of foods, so be sure to read ingredient label before buying.
Look for foods with meat as the first ingredient, rather than grains or fillers. Felines are carnivores by nature and have little need for grains in their diet. 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. Feeding a high quality food can contribute to better health and fewer trips to the vet. My suggestion is to buy the best quality canned food your budget allows.
There are resources online to help you choose the best type of food. For more in-depth information, see my article: Wet food shouldn't be left out longer than a half hour twenty minutes in hot weather because it can spoil and become unsafe to eat. Cover and refrigerate leftover food in the can and throw out uneaten food in the bowl. Cats should eat cat food to be healthy. Some people prefer feeding dry food or a combination of wet and dry. Dry is convenient if you're not home during the day because it can be left out without spoiling.
As with canned food, read the ingredient label and look for brands with meat in the first few ingredients. Try to avoid products with by-products, fillers, and artificial flavors. This depends on his or her weight and activity level. Either follow the suggested portion size on the food packaging or get a recommendation from your vet. For food and water, stainless steel and ceramic dishes and bowls are ideal.
Unlike plastic, they don't hold odors and are easy to thoroughly clean. It's a good idea to have more than one dish and bowl so you always have a clean one available. Once you find a type and brand of litter that works, stick with it. Switching litter types too often might cause finicky cats to avoid the box. If you'd like some insight on how to prevent litter box issues, check out my article: Cat Not Using Litter Box?
Human Food for Cats: A Basic Guide
Brushing is easy and doesn't take too much time. Most cats enjoy being brushed because it relaxes them. Regular brushing removes dead hair, dirt, and helps keep the skin healthy. Shedding increases as the weather warms up, so brushing is important to remove dead hair and prevent mats. Mats can form on cats of any hair length, but are more common with medium and long-haired breeds.
You might need a professional groomer or vet to remove them or shave them off if they're severe enough. If your cat sheds a lot or has the type of coat that's prone to mats, consider using a FURminator occasionally, in addition to a regular brush.
This special metal tool removes more hair than a standard brush. This tool can remove a lot of hair, so use it gently and don't over-do it. Most cats do a good job of keeping themselves clean. Unless they're dirty from being outdoors or older and not cleaning themselves well, one or two baths a year is usually enough.
Trimming is important to keep claws from getting too long, sharp, broken or frayed. If you've never trimmed a cat's claws before, it's a good idea to have an experienced cat owner, a professional groomer, or your vet demonstrate how to do this properly until you're comfortable trying on your own. Some cats are better about having their claws cut than others. My cats are much more accepting of having their front claws trimmed than their back. If you start this habit early on, he or she will get used to it more easily.
Use plenty of praise and a couple treats afterwards to make the experience positive. Cats and kittens love their playtime, so get a few types of toys to keep them entertained. Cats can have specific toy preferences, so if you get one he doesn't like, keep trying until you find something he does. One of my cats loves mice toys that he can carry around in his mouth. My other guy is more amused by colorful plastic spring toys.
The Bergen TurboScratcher is another fun toy where cats can push a ball around a circle and use the corrugated cardboard center as a place to scratch. To prevent claw marks on your furniture, place a scratcher in a few places around the home. These could be scratching posts, scratching pads or a corrugated cardboard scratcher.
One of my cats loves scratching on anything made out of corrugated cardboard and this type of scratcher is very inexpensive. You can also buy a small container of dried catnip to sprinkle on the scratcher to attract your cat. Whenever he uses the scratcher, praise him so he learns to use the scratcher and not the corners of your couch. For more tips on scratching, see my article: 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. Catnip can cause some cats to become aggressive or fight with another cat, so be cautious until you know how your pet reacts to it.
Carriers are essential for vet visits, travel, or in case you ever need to leave your home in an emergency. They come in many sizes and price ranges. Look for one that gives your cat enough room to fit comfortably with some room on each side to move around. To learn more about choosing a carrier, see my article: Bad teeth, plaque, and gingivitis can cause bacteria in the mouth that can affect major organs such as the liver, kidneys, and heart, causing serious health problems. If you start brushing from the start, you can prevent these problems.
Cat tooth brush kits usually include a rubber brush that looks like a thimble, a small toothbrush, and an enzymatic toothpaste. You can also ask your vet about a drinking water additive that helps prevent plaque formation. You may want to meet the vet first to make sure they have good credentials, are competent, knowledgeable, and charge reasonable prices. Also, look for someone near your home and easy to get to in case of an emergency. Your vet will advise you about how often your cat or kitten needs to be seen for check-ups and vaccinations.
Bring a list of questions you may have about your pet and its health. Your vet is a valuable ally in keeping your new friend healthy. As long as they're well cared for, felines can live long, healthy lives. A nutritious diet and regular veterinary care can prevent many health problems. Cats can be very good at hiding signs of illness, so watch for any changes in their eating, drinking, litter box habits, or activity level.
Ask your vet about any concerns to be safe. If you have young children in the home, teach them how to treat your cat with care and respect. Look around your home to see if there's anything that could be dangerous to your cat or kitten. Cats are extremely curious and love to explore, climb, and pick up small objects in their mouths to carry around.
In general, indoor-only cats live longer and healthier lives. Cats that live primarily outdoors or both indoors and outdoors are subjected to risks like diseases from other cats or wild animals, vehicle traffic, dog or wild animal attacks, or getting lost or stolen. Keeping your cat indoors is a way to keep him or her safe and healthy. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
Two dry and one wet? Yes, feeding three times a day is good for an active cat. Dry or wet food is up to you and your cat's preference. Just be sure not to leave uneaten wet food out for more than thirty minutes twenty in summer. My male cat has not been taking care of himself after using the litter box. I need to clean him up. Can I use baby wipes? I do not think lukewarm water and a washcloth is effective enough. Please let me know which product or procedure is the best. I would hate it if I used something irritating, making him uncomfortable. Baby wipes should be okay if they're a gentle formula, ideally unscented and hypoallergenic, but they do have wipes for this purpose at most pet stores.
If your cat has medium or long hair, a groomer can make the coat shorter in these areas which makes it easier to clean and reduces odors. If you haven't already, you might want to check with your vet because when a cat isn't cleaning up after himself, it could be a sign of illness. My cat has mats in her fur.
If I take her to the vet to get her shaved, she will freak out, as she is not used to humans. What shall I do? I would tell the vet about how she is, and they can advise you what to do. She might need some medication to calm her down before you bring her in. Once she's there, they will know how to keep her calm and comfortable while she's being groomed. I suggest calling your vet for advice on this. They will be able to give you the best opinion and know how to help her. Sign in or sign up and post using a HubPages Network account. Comments are not for promoting your articles or other sites.
Hi guys, I have a medium long haired cat who I adopted about a month ago. She needs regular brushing but she hates it. Her previous owner showed me how she usualy brushes her and she was brutal! She held her down by force and ripped her coat! Now her hair is dry, damaged and clumps up.
Cat Care 101: A Guide for New Cat Owners
Been trying to show her that brushing is actually a good thing, been gentle and patient and used loads of treats, affection and catnip, but she is still running away as soon as she sees the brush. Please help me, I would like to show her that brushing is a good thing but I've failed miserably and could use some tips on how to do it. Thank you in advance! As much as I am jealous of your hubs I must say you are very informative about cats and had I seen your pages before I created mine I would have been in heaven.
I went through a lot of time and effort finding this information and appreciate all that you do for cats! I might just say that kittens can get their first set of vaccinations when they are six to eight weeks old and should get fixed around four months. Voted up and shared. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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