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Cats are said to be one of the most intelligent creatures on this planet. They are the ideal embodiment of agility, mobility, speed, and grace. However, between ages 1 to 8, cats go through numerous transitions, equivalent to a teenager transitioning to middle age. As a caregiver, you need to ensure that you provide your cat with everything it needs to stay healthy – rich sources of nutrition, freshwater, etc. A cat's health needs to be monitored closely and any abnormalities should be reported to the vet. In fact, pet parents should care for their cat right from its kitten stage. It will help you keep any older cat health problems at bay in the long run. If you are unaware of how to care for cats between ages one to eight, read on. We made a list of everything that you need to know about caring for a cat!
As a first-time pet parent, it can be difficult to navigate your way through your cat’s needs and wants. Here are a few things you must ensure to keep your cat healthy:
Cats have a habit of licking their fur to groom themselves. This results in the production of hairballs in their system. Brushing or combing your cat daily can help reduce the number of hairballs in its digestive tract. This is a simple way to make grooming easy for your feline friend and help keep its system clean.
Cats are carnivores, they rely on meat as their primary source of nutrition. Pet parents must remember to include meat in their cat’s diet. Avoid feeding dry food in large quantities, as it can have a negative impact on your cat’s health. Cats derive most of their water intake from the food that they consume. Canned foods contain almost 78% water, whereas dry food contains only 5% to 10% water. So, too much dry food or only dry food can leave your cat dehydrated. And dehydration is one of the leading causes of older cat health problems. So, keep your cat nourished and hydrated at all times.
However, when it comes to food, cats can be a tad picky. Some cats prefer dry food over wet food, and vice versa. If you have a cat that feasts on dry cat food, fret not. All you need to do is ensure fresh water is always accessible and provide it with dry foods that are packed with nutrition! At IAMS™, our range of dry cat food not only contains high-quality proteins but also ingredients like Omega 3, fish oil, minerals, and more. We make sure that your cat receives all the right nutrients to have a shiny coat and healthy immune system.
As far as litter boxes go, every cat should have its own. It is also advised for pet parents to keep an additional box for emergency situations. Furthermore, placing litter boxes at the right location is also important. People usually place litter boxes under their furniture, in the basement, or in dark corners. Cats may not always be comfortable with such settings. They prefer having an eye on their surroundings while doing the business. So, if you notice that your cat is not using the litter box, try changing its location.
It is frustrating when your cat does not use the litter box and dirties other areas of your home. The best way to resolve this issue is by finding out why it is doing so. First, take your cat to the vet to rule out any cat health problems like urinary tract infections. If illnesses are not the root cause, try changing the location as well as the litter box.
Another issue that pet parents face is their cat scratching different surfaces or ripping home decor fabric to shreds. Scratching is an instinctive behavior for cats. They do so to express different emotions. Many cat parents are oblivious to the fact that their pet needs a scratching post. Place it in a spot where your cat can easily notice it. You can also sprinkle some catnip on the post to attract your cat.
Neutering or spaying your cat is beneficial in multiple ways. Cats generally get aggressive as they go into heat. Female cats are very uncomfortable during this period, and unneutered male cats tend to fight with each other. These fights can also result in the transmission of diseases through scratches and bites. Other than that, female cats can conceive at just four months of age, and raising a kindle of kittens can be stressful.
If you are a new cat parent, you must keep an eye out for common cat health issues. Going for routine health check-ups is highly recommended so that you can spot any early signs of kitten health problems.
Vomiting is one of the most common cat health issues and it can happen due to many reasons. Your cat can vomit because of hairballs, eating something inedible, diabetes, urinary tract infection, etc. If you notice your cat heaving abdominally or drooling, take it to the vet immediately.
Fleas bother almost all furry pets and are a common cat health problem. Fortunately, this is a problem that can be treated easily. Look out for signs such as:
Hair loss
Skin infections
Excessive scratching and itching
Frequent licking
Regardless of any signs, pet parents are recommended to get their cats checked for fleas regularly.
Female and male cats who are unfit, overweight, or consume a lot of dry food tend to get FLUTD. Co-existing with multiple cats, sudden lifestyle changes, and stress can also influence the occurrence of this disease. Here are a few symptoms that cat parents can look out for:
Dehydration
Loss of appetite
Frequent vomiting
Visible discomfort while urinating
Licking around the genitalia
Blood in their urine
Urinating outside the litter box
Your vet can recommend the right treatment according to the type of FLUTD your cat has.
Eye problems can occur because of many reasons such as glaucoma, cataracts, conjunctivitis, inflammation, different viruses, retinal diseases, and trauma. Symptoms that suggest eye problems include watery eyes, red eyes, gunk deposits in one or both eyes, cloudiness, white or red lining, and squinting. The best you can do is wipe off any dirt or gunk from your cat’s eyes and take it to the vet.
Eating spoiled foods, liver diseases, cancer, infection, and other health issues can cause diarrhoea in cats. Common symptoms of diarrhoea are watery or loose stools. This condition can last for days, weeks, or months, depending on the cause. If your cat is suffering from this condition, make sure you provide it with a lot of fresh water and take it to the vet.
You now know how to provide and care for your cat, and what problematic signs you need to look out for. Now let’s explore the signs of good cat health:
Here are 5 signs of good cat health:
Here are some common cat health issues:
If you want to maintain your cat’s health, take your pet to the vet regularly for an annual medical examination. Along with periodic health check-up, ensure that you:
To monitor your cat’s health, look for signs of illnesses like vomiting, diarrhoea, and problems during urination. These symptoms suggest that your cat might be falling sick. Signs such as good sleep, healthy appetite, and a playful attitude suggest that your cat is healthy.
Potty training your cat at an early age can help inculcate essential hygiene habits. Starting kitten litter training as soon as your newborn pet hits the four-week mark ensures that it is well aware of its surroundings. Moreover, it ascertains that your kitty does not dirty the home. For all new cat parents wondering how to potty train a kitten, here are a few tips to get you started. Read on to learn more about the right age to start training your kitten, how to pick the right size of a litter box and more.
Adult cats naturally seek out sandy places to defecate but kittens need some guidance. Fortunately, you do not have to worry much about how to teach your kitten to use a litter box because it comes naturally to kittens. If you are a first-time cat parent, here’s a fact that will put you at ease: unlike puppies, potty-training kittens can be fairly easy. Moreover, it is one of the first exercises you will do as a caregiver.
Things learnt at an early age, generally, stick with you for time immemorial. And that holds true in cats as well. Hence, you can start potty training kittens once they turn 4 weeks old. If you are adopting a kitten that’s older than 4 weeks or an adult cat, start potty training it immediately.
Potty training is an important part of adopting a cat, especially if you do not want to clean the house zillion times a day. However, it is not like you buy a litter box and your kitty will get the hint. You need to teach your pet to do its business in the box. And as a first-time cat parent, you might be clueless about how to potty train a kitten. Fret not, we have got you covered. Here are a few tips to help you get started with kitten litter training:
The first step to kitten litter training is choosing a litter box. Since you are picking out a litter box for your kitten, it can be small and compact in size. Make sure there is enough room for your kitty to go in that box. It should be easy to enter and not too compact for your kitten’s size.
Moreover, your cat might feel uncomfortable defecating in certain types of boxes. Some cats might like keeping their business private, while some could prefer being aware of their surroundings. Hence, finding the right litter for your kitten may involve some testing.
Choosing the right spot for the litter box is imperative. Place it somewhere that is not too loud, but also ensure that the box is within human interaction. For example, if you place the litter box in your basement, your kitten may not feel comfortable and eliminate somewhere in the house. You can also place the litter box in the bathroom. If you have multiple floors in your house, place at least one easily accessible litter box on every floor. Moreover, make sure you do not place the litter box next to your cat’s food and water bowls.
Once you have placed all your litter boxes at desired locations, it is time to start potty training your kitten. Assuming that you have placed multiple litters in your house, take your kitty to each box and let it sniff them. Next, place your kitten in the litter box. It may start pawing the litter or even use it right away. If it doesn’t, run your fingers through the litter to demonstrate pawing actions.
Here’s a tip on how to train a kitten to use a litter box: reward it. Shower your purrfect pal with its favourite treat whenever it uses the litter box successfully. For this to work, you need to give your cat a treat right after it uses the litter box so that it starts associating the usage of the litter box with good behaviour.
Keeping the litter box clean is crucial to ensure that your kitten does not develop an aversion to the box. You can scoop out your cat’s waste after each use. Keep adding some litter every time you are scooping out waste to make sure that the litter depth is maintained and your kitten can easily dig. Once your cat is a little older and used to the box, you can start cleaning it once a day.
