10 tips for raising a healthy cat

If you are raising a cat, you want the best for your cat. You want him to feel safe and avoid health problems as much as possible. Well this is not complicated! If you keep the simple tips we outline here, you can raise an amazing healthy cat!

  1. Play with your cat

Most cats remain playful for their whole lives. Except for a few cats that seem to take themselves very seriously, it’s likely that your cat will enjoy some indoor play. You’ll have fun, too.

There are several ways to play with your cat. Aim to play at least once a day, unless the cat is getting overly aggressive. The best toys are often the simplest.

For an excellent summary of how to play with your cat, watch this video, which explains what toys are good for your feline and which are not so great, namely a laser pointer. As with any animal training or play, end with a “win” for your cat by letting your cat catch and “own” the toy at the end of your game.

Provide a variety of toys to see what your cat enjoys interacting with the most. A bit of feathers at the end of a solid line and wand is a cat-tested favorite. An affordable and highly rated toy is the Leaps & Bounds Caterpillar Cat Teaser.  There are also many new-fangled toys available such as the SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Electronic Concealed Motion Cat Toy that can provide hours of fun for your cat.

  1. Make sure your cat always has fresh water

Like all animals, your cat should have easy access to fresh water daily in a clean bowl. It just takes a minute or two to wash your cat’s dishes, for both food and water. Make sure to rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of dish soap.

  1. Take your cat to the vet if you notice these signs
  • He’s stopped eating
  • He starts to lose fur resulting in patches of bare spots
  • Unusually bad breath that’s not from food
  1. Keep a clean litter box

Cats can be funny about using the litter box. Many cats insist on having their own litter box. Cats can be territorial, and when you have more than one cat, they will be happier if your make sure each has its own space. Also, keep your cat’s food and water in a separate place from the box. Most cats dislike eating near a litter box.

  1. Brush your cat’s fur with a high-quality cat glove

A well-made cat glove serves a several purposes. They often have silicon needs that are quite effective to help with grooming. Brushing your cat with a specially designed glove or mitt can help with gentle deshedding. It also helps your cat’s circulation and most cats love it.

Using a glove is a great way for cat owners to bond with their cats.

  1. Keep an eye on his teeth

Cats do well with a diet that includes some hard food or kibble. This is important for their gums and allows them to keep their teeth. One of the reasons cats start a decline in health as they get older is because they can lose their teeth and will start to get malnourished.

  1. Provide a scratching post

Make sure to provide your kitty with a tall scratching post. You may want to rub it with catnip every other week to make it more enticing. Training your cat to satisfy his innate urge to scratch on a post will save your furniture.

  1. Make sure your cat keeps at a reasonable weight

Cats need activity as well as mental stimulation. Bored cats often turn into obese cats. One way you can prevent your cat from getting overweight is to remove their food bowls after eating. Feline obesity courts disorders such as diabetes, autoimmune disorders and urinary tract infections. The daily playtimes recommended above help prevent your cat from becoming unnaturally fat.

  1. Get a cat carrier

Unlike dogs, cats are notorious for disliking being in the car. It’s dangerous to have a cat roaming around the car in distress while you’re driving. Having a cat carrier on hand for an unexpected visit to the vet is a smart move.

  1. Get your cat an ID and microchip

Even if you’re cat is an indoor-only pet, responsible cat ownership means having your cat wear a collar and tag with your phone number. People will know a cat is not feral if it has a collar and microchipping is an essential step to make sure your cat gets safely returned to you

Whether you are a first time cat owner or have always had a featured feline in your life, follow these tips for a healthy and happy cat.