How to Be a Great Cat Owner

Our feline friends are undoubtedly one of the easiest animals to raise. Fluffy will take care of her own grooming needs, and you will not have to walk or train her. Most kitties spend a tremendous amount of time napping, making taking care of them quite convenient for their people. However, while Fluffy may be self-sufficient, she requires more than just fresh water and chow to be happy and healthy. In this article from All About Animals Veterinary Services, your Carrollton, GA pet hospital, serving the Villa Rica Area area, a local veterinarian offers tips on keeping your furry buddy content and purring. 

Keep Your Feline Friend Inside

The Great Outdoors isn’t safe for cats, regardless of how much they like to explore. Fluffy is immediately exposed to a variety of threats when she steps outside. These include automobiles, weather, other cats, predators, and poisons. Cats that venture outside are also at a higher danger of becoming lost, stolen, or killed.

Grounding Fluffy not only keeps your pet safe, but it also helps to safeguard surrounding animals. Kitties aren’t just cute, charming, and eccentric; they’re also fluffy little serial killers. Fluffy hunts and kills a wide range of animals, including numerous endangered species.

Give Your Feline Pal Quality Food

There are a few things to consider when feeding your cat. Fluffy’s specific nutritional requirements should be determined according to her age, health, and lifestyle. However, you must also select whether to feed your cat wet food or kibble, and whether to feed her at set times or free feed. Ask your veterinarian to provide specific guidance on these things.

The most difficult step may be determining which brand to use. Companies have mastered advertising tricks; many of them now employ highly sophisticated strategies to ensure that their products appear the best … even when they aren’t.

Make sure you read the labels carefully. Pet food manufacturers are required to label their products in specific ways, just as human food companies must. The first ingredient on the label is the one with the highest percentage or ratio. Meat, fish, and poultry should be the first and most prominent ingredients on the label. Avoid companies with long ingredient lists full of unpronounceable jargon that sound like science projects. Chances are, that’s exactly what they are.

Fresh water is also necessary. You may want to buy your feline companion a drinking fountain; many cats enjoy drinking running water.

What Can I Do to Keep My Cat Happier?

Your feline pal cannot spend all of their time resting, no matter how hard they try. Boredom is no more enjoyable for kitties than it is for humans. You’ll need to provide enrichment and stimulation. 

Keep your adorable pet entertained by giving her a range of toys and spending at least a few minutes each day playing with her. Fluffy might look innocent as she pounces on and chases after objects, but it is serious business for her.  After all, she is replicating the hunting habits and skills that would help her catch supper in the wild.

Keep in mind that every cat has unique tastes. Some prefer wand toys, others prefer catnip mice, some want to chase the laser pointer’s red dot, and some simply want to bat ice cubes or bottle caps around. Try a couple of different items and see what Fluffy prefers.

Take Your Cat To The Vet Regularly

While cats are tough, they are not invincible, as many of them seem to believe. In truth, these little furballs are very small and fragile.

We recommend that all cats be microchipped and spayed or neutered, or neutered. Preventative care is also essential for protecting your pet from various hazardous parasites and infections. Fluffy needs core immunizations for rabies, feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus-1, feline panleukopenia, and (FeLV) feline leukemia. If your cat is more than a year old, your veterinarian may additionally recommend immunizations for (FeLV), Chlamydia felis, and Bordetella bronchiseptica.

Controlling parasites is also vital. Even indoor cats can be plagued with fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. You can choose from a range of products, so consult your veterinarian to determine which one is best for you and your furry best friend. Just be sure only to get products from your vet or a vet-approved retailer. Many discount stores and flea markets sell sub-par knockoffs, some of which can actually be dangerous!

In between checkups, monitor Fluffy for signs of disease. Kitties can be hard to evaluate in this area, since they prefer to conceal symptoms of sickness. This is an instinctual behavior, as displaying signs of illness in the environment can attract predators. Unfortunately, there is a downside here, particularly for pets: your feline friend may not show indications of sickness until she is really feeling ill.

Here are some indications to look for:

• Reduced Appetite
• Litterbox Avoidance
• Respiratory issues
• Discharge
• Grumpiness
• Lethargy
• Poor grooming
• Withdrawal
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Disorientation
• Uncharacteristic behavior or vocalizations

If you see any of these symptoms or anything else wrong, contact your Carrollton, GA animal clinic immediately.

Petproof Your Home

One of your biggest jobs is simply to keep your cat safe. This may be harder than you expect! Fluffy is prone to mischief and occasionally narrowly avoids it. Even though kitties do not have nine lives, it is easy to see where the old wives’ tale originated.

We strongly advise petproofing, which entails removing or securing anything that is not suitable for our feline pals to eat or play with. Small or sharp objects, like beads, buttons, safety pins, jewelry, and toy components, should all be addressed. Other unsafe items include plastic bags and ties, anything ropy or stringy, and hazardous plants. (Note: The ASPCA website contains a complete list of safe and dangerous plants here.)

Chemicals and medicines are also a big worry. Poisonings are one of the most common reasons for emergency visits and, tragically, one of the leading causes of pet death.

Here are some of the hazardous items for cats:

• Cleaning agents

• Paint
• Drain Openers
• Detergents
• Automotive Products
• Fertilizer 
• Pesticides
• Rodenticides
• Antifreeze
• Bug Spray
• Medication, Including Prescription And Over-The-Counter Medications.

Contact your Carrollton, GA veterinarian for further information.

Make Your Home Cat-Friendly

Cats may live purrfectly happily in various environments, from a little bedroom to a vast mansion. However, making it cat-friendly is essential regardless of how big or small your home is.

Adding cat furniture will help. Fluffy will adore a cat tower, which serves as both a scratching post and a lookout position.

You may also make your home more enjoyable for your curious little pet by providing vantage points and activities for her to explore. A comfortable window seat with a nice view can keep a cat amused for hours. Fluffy adores birdwatching! If you really want to go all-out, build your furry buddy a catio or enclosure.

Make Your Cat Feel Loved!

Last but not least, you’ll need to keep that engine running! Fluffy needs and deserves to feel a sense of belonging and security. Spend time every day with your feline companion and simply pay attention to her. Talking to your pet might help her feel appreciated and can help her bond with you more quickly. Some cats will answer back, but others will simply listen. It doesn’t matter whether  your pet responds or not. The crucial thing is that your feline companion recognizes you are attempting to connect with her. You may find yourself melting when your furry companion cuddles up to you or looks up at you with that endearing feline affection.

Visit Our Carrollton, GA Pet Hospital

If you have any questions about cat care, please contact us at All About Animals Veterinary Services, your Carrollton, GA pet hospital, serving the Villa Rica area. We are dedicated to offering exceptional service!