We’ve had a relationship with cats for over four thousand years.
Why wouldn’t you want this millennia-loved animal in your home? While it can be challenging to know how to take care of a cat at home, it’s not impossible.
We’ve compiled a list of five must-know tips you to help you with taking care of a cat at home, so keep reading to learn more.
- Enclosures for Your Cat
When caring for a cat, you must have an enclosure. They mimic your cat’s natural environment and provide them with personal space. Great enclosure choices to consider are cat trees for large cats. They have many benefits such as:
- Sturdiness
- Durability
- Interactive
Remember to consider the quality of materials, weight of the cat, and size of the cat tree when buying this basic cat care item.
- House training Your Cat
When you bring your new family member home, make sure you have a litter box at the ready. Cats have a natural instinct to bury their stool and must have a place to do so.
Place the litter box in a place that is:
- Clean
- Quiet
- Low traffic
Try placing it in a spare bedroom or corner of the family room. To train your cat to use a litter box, use positive reinforcement. Every time your cat successfully uses the litter box, reward them with a tasty treat or scratch behind the ears.
If they do not, simply ignore the behavior. Avoid negative reinforcement!
- Enriching Your Cat’s Life
Taking care of cats can be challenging. Cats are very smart and need enrichment to keep their mind and body stimulated.
Enrichment gives your pet the opportunity to express natural behaviors. Some must-have items include:
- Scratching post
- Hunting toys
- Vertical space
Enrichment is a basic cat care tenet and helps keep your cat happy and healthy and is a must for the highest quality of life.
- Feeding Your Cat
One of the most difficult areas of cat maintenance is cat food. Look for foods managed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
Brands regulated by the FDA and AAFCO must meet high standards and will provide directions for feeding, a nutrition adequacy statement, and calorie statements.
For high value, special treats to give your cat occasionally try:
- Cooked sweet potato
- Dark meat chicken
- Tuna
- Interacting With Your Cat
Developing a relationship with your cat can be challenging and sometimes frustrating. Cats enjoy control, so allow them to approach you and initiate the interaction.
Try offering a fingertip at their nose level. If your cat sniffs your finger or rubs into it, they are giving you permission to further interact with them. Most cats enjoy being scratched on their forehead and cheeks. Positive responses to your interaction include:
- Purring
- Blinking
- Kneading
If your cat hisses, swats, or swishes their tall then back off and give your pet some space.
Taking Care of a Cat at Home
Taking care of a cat at home can be a challenging and exciting task to take on. Remember every cat is unique and so is their relationship with different individuals.
Be patient and respectful to your cats’ responses. You’ve got this!
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