Pet care - Cats

Cats are very clean and make good companions for many people. But they can damage carpets and furniture with their claws and may not always want to be stroked and handled.

What do cats need?
 

• Companionship - to be with other cats or people for at least part of the day.
• A balanced diet - make sure there are no bones in your cat's food.
• A constant supply of fresh, clean water.
• A garden or safe place to play and exercise every day, away from busy roads.
• Somewhere warm and cosy to sleep.
• To be brushed regularly, particularly when shedding their coats. Long-haired cats need to be brushed every day.
• A scratching post.
• Help to clean their teeth. You can brush or rub their teeth with special toothpaste. They also need to have their teeth checked regularly by the vet.
• To come and go as they please - a cat flap is ideal.
• To be trained to use a litter tray.
• To be micro chipped in case they get lost.
• Cat neutering should be carried out as early as possible in order to avoid unwanted litters. Most cats are sexually mature at six months, but some cats can become pregnant as early as five months. Therefore, the ideal age to neuter your cat is between four and five months.
• To be taken to a vet if they are ill or injured.
• Injections to prevent certain serious diseases.
• Worming and regular flea treatments.
• To be looked after when you are away on holiday.