Taking care of a cat is not always easy, but proper care for your pet can help keep them happy and healthy. Check out the list of 11 things every cat owner should know, according to veterinarians.
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1. Vaccinate your cat on schedule
Amanda Landis-Hanna, veterinarian and senior veterinary assistance manager at PetSmart Charities, told the Insider website that following the vaccination schedule for kittens is crucial to helping your cat live a long and healthy life.
“Kittens need several immunizations during their first year to protect them from serious diseases. After that, they will only need annual boosters,” she explains.
It is recommended that the first round of vaccinations be given when the kitten is nine weeks old and the second three weeks later.
2. Try to keep your cat indoors as much as possible
Cats tend to be safer when they spend most of their time indoors. Veterinarian Matthew McCarthy, owner of Juniper Valley Animal Hospital in New York, advises owners to prevent their pets from roaming the streets.
“Cats that live indoors can’t be hit by cars, are less exposed to infectious diseases, and are less likely to get into fights with other animals,” he says. Moreover, the veterinarian points out that cats, being opportunistic predators, can impact the balance of the local ecosystem.
3. Provide your cat with plenty of things to scratch
Providing scratching posts posts with the appropriate texture, like sisal rope or natural wood, is a way to prevent the destruction of your home furniture and, above all, keep your cat healthy. “This allows them to mark their territory with scent and visible traces. It also helps sharpen claws, remove dead nails, relieve stress, and stretch muscles,” says McCarthy.
4. Try to sharpen your cat’s hunting instinct
Speaking to Insider, the veterinarian points out that felines are solitary hunters, consuming up to 20 small meals daily. “Try to simulate some of these hunting behaviors through toys or puzzles, tossing kibble or hiding kibble around the house,” he suggests.
Cats also prefer to eat away from the gaze of other animals. Thus, place their bowl in a more secluded spot so your pet can be more relaxed when feeding.
5. Regularly ensure your cat has access to water
It’s vital to ensure your cat is well-hydrated, giving them free access to water. In the wild, cats drink water from places separate from their food. With this in mind, spread bowls around different areas of the house, away from the food. Moreover, some felines prefer running water over stagnant water. Canned food can also help in this aspect.
6. Have more litter boxes than cats
Among the things every cat owner should know, according to veterinarians, is the fact that felines prefer to use the litter box away from other animals. Amanda Landis-Hanna suggests it’s ideal to have two litter boxes per cat, and they should be distributed throughout the house, with at least one per floor.
7. Ensure the litter box is large and secluded enough
If you’re having trouble getting your cat to use the litter box, the problem might be the box itself. “Cats need to be able to turn around, dig, and eliminate in their litter boxes. The box should be 1.5 times the size of the cat, from the tip of the snout to the base of the tail,” advises Matthew McCarthy.
The veterinarian also mentions that cats don’t like to be disturbed when using the “bathroom.” Therefore, he recommends placing litter boxes in quiet and secluded areas of the house, away from food, water, and sleeping areas.
8. Gatos domésticos devem ser castrados
Castração e esterilização podem ajudar a evitar ninhadas indesejadas,. Sara Ochoa, veterinária e consultora do Dog Lab, disse ao Insider que essa é uma forma de controlar a população de pets. “Há muitos gatos em abrigos de animais esperando para serem adotados”, alerta.
9. Dê aos gatos brinquedos estimulantes
Embora não sejam tão ativos quanto os cães, os gatos gostam de brinquedos estimulantes e desafiadores. Quebra-cabeças ou brinquedos que se movam inesperadamente se encaixam no instinto natural de caça do gato e podem ajudá-lo a manter a mente ocupada.
10. Considere colocar um microchip em seu gato
Um microchip, que é do tamanho de um grão de arroz, é uma forma permanente de identificação do seu gato. Ele é colocado sob a pele do animal e pode ser detectado por um scanner especial em abrigo de animais e consultórios veterinários. “Os microchips aumentam as chances de encontrar pets perdidos”, destaca Amanda Landis-Hanna.
11. Teste seu gato para leucemia felina
A leucemia felina (FeLV) é um vírus que pode causar problemas imunológicos e câncer em gatos. Os sintomas incluem febre, perda de peso, aumento dos gânglios linfáticos, infecções de pele e desconforto gastrointestinal. A veterinária aconselha os donos a testarem seus gatos para a doença. “Esse vírus é perigoso e pode se espalhar de gato para gato”, diz. Embora exista uma vacina, é melhor evitar contato com animais que ainda não foram testados.
