GENERAL CAT CARE
 
There are many things you should do to ensure your cat's good health and general well being. Here are a few things you can do to make your cat feel more at home. Provide:
My cats are allowed in all areas of the house. I have cat proofed everything. I place breakables, plants, and toxic substances (cleaning solutions, poisons, etc...) out of reach. I suggest doing this. It will keep your cat from breaking your things and keep him/her away from plants and items that can be a health risk.
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Some cats like to have a special bed to sleep on and some don't. Mine would rather use the furniture or sleep under the bed. They ignore "cat Beds" when I buy them, so I've quit doing it. They also like cardboard boxes and paper grocery bags. I make sure I have plenty of both.
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I use glass food and water bowls. Plastic holds bacteria and can cause feline acne as well. It's best to use either glass or stainless steel. Make sure you have plenty of dishes. I have 4 dry food bowls and 2 water bowls in the kitchen. I have 2 water bowls upstairs (one in each bathroom). This setup works very well with 4 cats.
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There are so many types of boxes and litters that choosing the right ones for your cat can be difficult. I use plain clay litter because I don't want to expose my cats to any additives. I have 3 boxes and change them twice a week. I also scoop when necessary. Keeping the box clean is important. It is healthier for you and your cat. Cats are fastidious creatures. They may decide not to use the box if it isn't maintained. I have to use boxes with lids. Punky and Taffy are part Manx and have no tails. Without a tail for a guide, they can't find the edge of the box. They need the lid to tell them where the side is. Most cats don't require a lid and you might not have enough space for that either. 15 inches long X 10 inches wide X 4 inches deep is a good size for an adult cat. You will probably need one that is 2 inches deep for a kitten. I also use a rubber mat on the floor where they exit the box. It helps to catch litter and keep them from tracking it around the house.
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I like to have plenty of things for my cats to scratch. One of their favorites is a sisal scratching post. It is a post covered with sisal that is attached between two pieces of fiberboard covered with carpet. Geoffy only scratches the carpet area, but he is an exception. Moochy, Punky, and Taffy ignore the carpet and only scratch the sisal. Most cats find the sisal more attractive and won't scratch a post covered with carpet, so it's a good idea to avoid getting on that is carpet covered. Mine also love corrugated cardboard scratchers. These are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace. Placement is important as well. You will want to place them where they are easily accessible. I try to place mine in the most frequently traveled path. That way my cats don't have to go out of their way to get to them.
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I give my cats plenty of toys. Their favorites are burlap cat nip bags and soft rubber balls. You will probably have to experiment to find which toys your cat enjoys the most. Mine are allowed to play with long wide shoe strings, but only when supervised. I remove all elastic strings from any toys that I give them. Strings can be dangerous. Your cat can swallow one and it might wrap around internal organs. It is always best to supervise kitty while he/she is playing with a string. I would not allow him/her to have one that is too narrow or elasticized at all. Kitty can swallow all or part of it before you are able to react and take it away. Wrapping ribbon also poses this danger to kitty. I have to remove the small mental bells from toys as well. Geoffy loves to bite them and I don't want him to damage his teeth.
 
I have compiled a list of links to sites that provide information about general health care. I hope you find them as useful and informative as I have.
 
Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions or comments.
 
 
General Care Links
 
Tallyville's Cat Health & Behavior Information on just about everything you need to care for your cat.
Catlady Di's Health related Links A great many links for cat health related issues.
Pawprints & Purrs Health Series Another excellent resource for cat health information.
   
 
* What you find here is based on personal experience. It is not a medical opinion, nor is it a substitute for a medical opinion. I urge you to seek medical advice regarding any and all matters relating to your cat's health.
 
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