Whether friendly and loving or mischievous and aloof, cats find a way into our hearts. And, as valued members of the family, they deserve the best when it comes to food, play, care, hygiene and health.
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feline fundamentals
Keep Felix feeling frisky and fine with these tips, along with cat essentials from Hy-Vee.
Kittens have high energy needs, so feed them specially formulated
kitten food until the age of one, then transition to adult cat food.
Feed cats twice a day, basing the amount on their activity level.
A sedentary cat may require 10 percent fewer calories than one
with normal activity levels, while an active cat may need 20 to
30 percent more calories. Treats should make up no more
than 5 percent of a cat’s daily nutrients.
Food
Kittens need play to develop coordination and hone
hunting skills. For adult cats, play can relieve boredom
and provide exercise to counter weight gain. Cats like toys
that move and have different textures. They quickly get bored,
though, so switch out the toys regularly. Cats also like to scratch.
Provide a well-secured scratching pad or a scratching post covered with
a rough material such as burlap or canvas.
Play
Regular brushing or combing keeps your cat’s coat clean, reducing shedding.
This also helps prevent him from ingesting fur while self-grooming and then
coughing up “hairballs.” Cats are efficient self-groomers, so bathing is seldom
necessary unless the cat gets into something foul-smelling. Bathing a cat can be
challenging and may be better reserved for a professional pet groomer.
Care
Cats won’t use a smelly litter box, so scoop out debris daily. Empty the
litter box weekly (clumping cat litter less frequently) and wash the bin
with a mild dish detergent. Avoid using ammonia, deodorants or lemon
scents. Refill with fresh litter. Put a litter box on each floor of the house.
If you have multiple cats, you may need a litter box for each one, according
to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Hygiene
Obesity is a common problem with pets, and it can put cats at increased risk
of diabetes, liver problems and joint pain. The cause is usually overfeeding
coupled with lack of exercise. To prevent weight gain, feed cats only in their
bowl and in measured amounts. Reduce snacks or treats and make sure Kitty
has ample opportunity for activity and play. Talk with your veterinarian
before starting a weight-loss program for your cat.
Weight
70
of a cat’s day is spent
sleeping and 15 percent
grooming themselves, on average. House cats are most active at dawn and
dusk; outdoor cats at night,
when they hunt prey.
%
SOURCES
ASPCA
Litter Box Problems
Dumb Friends League
Understanding Why Your Cat is Up All Night
National Library of Medicine
Cat Ownership and the Risk of Fatal Cardiovascular Diseases
Purina
10 Fascinating Facts About Cats
Motion
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feline fundamentals
fundamentals
Motion
Although cats can be fussy eaters, seek a veterinarian’s advice if they haven’t eaten for more than 24 hours.
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