House Cats

Cats need five basic things

  1. Food
  2. Healthcare
  3. Stimulation
  4. Activity
  5. Care

Looking after house cats are easy. Cats are low maintentance pets, they are self cleaning and are well adapted to learn to use a toilet or cat sand box. All cats have different personalities. Please see “My cat does not love me” and “My cat is so needy” for tips on dealing with overly aloof cats and for tips on dealing with very needy cats.

Food

Decent quality dry cat foor with added nutrients required by cats.

Healthcare

A cat scratch pad is a health requirement for cats. Regular de-worming, (deworming treatments do not need to be expensive, ask your local pharmacy for inexpensive over the counter (non prescription) treatments. when cats show early signs of illness, a visit to the vet and additional care may be needed.

Stimulation

If cats do not have enough stimulation they may start scratching couches and dining room chair legs. Without stimulation they may become more aggressive and unneutered male cats may spray urine on your furniture or walls. Unspayed females may urinate more frequently, become restless and may howl loudly when in heat. Stimulation includes playing with your cat, dragging a rag toy on a string and letting the cat ‘hunt’ the rag toy. If you have two cats or a cat and a dog, you may also see that they play with each other, this is also stimulation for your cat.

Activity

Even an empty box to play with, or an activity gym built from old cardboard boxes and 2×4 will be appreciated by your cats. Cats love climbing and clawing, if they have an activity gym, even a small one, they are leass likely to damage yoru furniture.

Care

Keep your cats safe and care for them by ensuring a safe environment. Stash away fishing gear, hooks, sewing accessories and other dangerous to cats things. Get plate covers for your tabletop stove plates (cats can burn paws when jumping onto hot stove plate)  Cats get into all sorts of hiding places, drawers, front loading washing machines or tumble driers. take care to ensure your cats safety in your home.