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Helpful and Essential Cat Care Information

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Having and understanding cat care information will help you to provide the best life for your feline friend. Below is some essential information you should know in order to keep you cat or kitten healthy and thriving.

How to Feed Your Cat

Kittens under six months of age should be fed canned food three or four times a day. If you notice your kitten has not eaten all the food in the bowl, make sure to remove the uneaten food. Overfeeding your kitten can cause him or her to vomit and have diarrhea. At six months of age, canned food can be reduced to twice a day. Kittens of all ages, however, should have a constant supply of dry kitten food and fresh water. At one year of age, switch from kitten food to adult food gradually over a period of ten days to two weeks. Start with one part adult food to three parts kitten food, wait a few days, and then increase the ratio to two parts adult food to two parts kitten food, and so forth. Once your cat is an adult, continue feeding him or her canned food once or twice daily and make sure he has a constant supply of dry cat food as well as fresh water.

Why You Should Keep Your Cat Indoors

As a cat owner, you'll have to decide whether or not to let your cat roam outdoors. Outdoor cats are vulnerable to predators, dogs, traffic, and infectious diseases. They can be taken by your neighbors, become lost and starve, or get caught in a trap intended for other types of animals. They also contract fleas and ticks more easily. Overall, your cat may not live as long outdoors because of these life-threatening risks. An indoor cat, however, lives up to ten times longer than an outdoor cat. Toys, scratching posts, a companion pet, and window shelves can help entertain your cat and make life more enjoyable for him or her. Additionally, many cats can be trained to walk on a leash with a harness, especially if you start when they are kittens. This is a safe and great way for your cat to exercise and enjoy the benefit of being outdoors.

Health Care Considerations

No matter what your cat's age, monitoring your cat's health is of extreme importance. If you've adopted a cat and are uncertain of the cat's vaccination history, have the vet give the shots again just to be on the safe side. It is recommended that you take along a stool sample to each veterinary visit so that your vet can check for intestinal parasites. Also, make sure you know what the signs of each illness are and where you can go for emergency veterinary treatment should the need arise. Additionally, consider having your cat spayed or neutered. Spaying and neutering prevents reproductive illnesses as well as reduces your cat's desire to mate.

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