Beginners guide to owning and caring the cats

Taking care of any pet is hard, and when it’s your first time it’s even harder, as you’re mostly confused about what you should and shouldn’t do.

We always need a manual when it comes to doing something, I’m someone who reads and does not throw it away XD. Now let us dive in!!

So, If you are a new cat or kitten owner, you probably have a lot of questions about caring for your new buddy. As you may already know or will soon find out, cats are so many things: fun, playful, independent, loving, curious, smart, and often very entertaining.

Cats are easy pets to care for and are relatively low maintenance. Once you’re familiar with the basics of feeding, litter boxes, grooming, general health, and safety, all you have to do is love and enjoy your cat.

So here are some tips to take care of cats:

Feed your cat healthy food.

You need to make sure that you are feeding your cat a nutritious one, as the food you choose will have a significant impact on your cat's overall health.  

 If you know the brand of food you were eating before your cat introduced you, eating small amounts of the same food will help your cat maintain a consistent diet and slowly transition to the food of your choice. The transition to new foods requires some adjustment, and slow transitions can help prevent nausea in the stomach.

Kittens (under 1-year-old) should be fed kitten formula because they are still growing and need a higher calorie diet.

You can give your cats either canned food (wet food) or dry food, introduce both types to them and see which they prefer more.

Choose Suitable Food Dishes and Water Bowls

For food and water, plates and bowls made of stainless steel and porcelain are ideal or even glass . Unlike plastic, it does not absorb odors and is easy to clean. It's a good idea to prepare several plates and bowls so that you always have a clean bowl on hand.

Keep a shallow bowl, which makes them easy for cats to eat from. And it’s better if they have a rubber ring around the base, so the dishes don't get pushed around the floor as the cat eats. Keep a bowl of water in a location your cat can access at all times. Cats love freshwater, so change it at least once a day and wash the bowl with warm, sudsy water at least a few times a week.

Find them on our website WWW.PETCARTEL.COM 

Have a Litter Box and Accessories

 You will need at least one litter box for every cat you have. Standard open style box. Boxes with lids can cause odors or cause some cats to feel closed. Whatever type of box you choose, make sure it's large enough. Smaller boxes are suitable for kittens, but cats over 10 or 11 kg may find a normal size box too small. Choose an extra-large one if necessary. 

Litter 

There are many types of litter to choose from: clay, clumps, pine pellets, corn, and recycled newspaper, just to name a few. 

Shovel and litter bucket 

 Choose a shovel that matches the litter you buy and a small bucket to remove dirt as you shovel.

Scooping the Box 

Scoop once or twice a day to keep the canister clean for your friend. About once a week, change all litter and wash the box with dish soap and warm water. 

 This can be general, but check their stools or urine for anything unusual (like worms, mucus, or blood). Also be aware if there is diarrhea, hard stools, or more or less than usual. If you see anything that doesn't look normal, call your vet to talk about it.

Brush Your Cat Regularly 

Grooming is easy and doesn't take too much time. Most cats like to be brushed because it helps them relax. Regular brushing helps to remove dead hair, dirt and keeps skin healthy. 

Medium- or short-haired breeds should be brushed about once a week. People with longer hair, such as Persians or Ragdolls, should brush two or three times a week.

Bathe Your Cat (But Not Too Often)

Most cats do a great job of keeping it clean. Unless they are dirty from being outdoors or are older and not kept clean, one or two baths a year should suffice. 

Use a mild cat shampoo and avoid getting soap or water near their eyes or ears.  Avoid flea shampoos (unless recommended by your veterinarian) because many cats have had bad reactions to certain flea shampoos.  After bathing, use a towel to pat dry, keep warm until dry. After the coat is dry, a thorough brushing will help keep the coat soft and beautiful.

Keep Your Cat's Claws Trimmed

You need a small pair of cat scissors to cut their claws. The trim is important to make the nails from getting too long, sharp, broken, or rubbed. Long nails can accidentally scratch your pet when you hold it or cut your clothes or furniture. 

A Trim twice a week is usually sufficient. The front ones usually grow faster than the hind ones. Make sure the scissors you use are sharp. When dull, they tear the claws instead of cutting them, and this is a pain for cats.

Refer to tutorials online on how to cut them or get them professionally done if the cat is being very hostile towards you when. you do it.

Enjoy Playtime

Cats and kittens love their playtime, so buy a few toys to keep them entertained. Cats may have specific toy preferences, so if you find they don't, keep trying until you find something they like. 

 If your cat is lazy and needs encouragement to move, try the "Da Bird," which is a long wand with feathers on the end that mimics a bird in flight as you spin it. Even the laziest cat often can't resist hitting or chasing it. Buy one on our website (WWW.PETCARTEL.COM) in the cat toys section and select from a variety of ranges. 

Give Him a Place to Nap 

Most cats sleep a lot during the day, so provide them with a comfortable resting place. It can be a cozy cat bed or just a soft blanket. 

 Some prefer to sleep in sunny and warm places; Others want to hide somewhere dark and private. Notice where your pet sleeps most often and place the bed there.

Do check out cat beds at our website and choose from a variety of options.

Find a Good Veterinarian

If you don't already have a vet for other pets, talk to people you know to get suggestions for good veterinarians in your area. 

 You may want to see your vet first to make sure they are well-certified, knowledgeable, knowledgeable, and charge a fair price. Also, find someone near you for easy access in case of an emergency.

Keep Your Cat Indoors

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 great way to keep him or her safe and healthy.

WE HOPE YOU’VE FOUND THIS CAT CARE GUIDE HELPFUL AND ENJOY HAVING A FELINE FRIEND IN YOUR LIFE.

Congratulations on Being a First-Time Cat Owner!