Raising a cat is not only about having to meet basic needs such as food and a clean litter box, but also about ensuring good health, comfort and stimulating their mind. If you want to raise a cat, take the time to understand the kind of commitment you are going to face and to learn how to proceed correctly; by doing so, you are more likely to breed it properly and get a balanced, healthy and happy cat.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Power
Step 1. Offer them good quality food
When you want to raise a kitten, it is important to ensure nutritionally rich foods. Canned food and kibble are fine as long as they contain animal protein and don't have an excessive amount of fillers.
- Although kibble tends to be better for keeping your cat's teeth clean, they can actually dehydrate the pet quite a bit because they trigger a reduced thirst.
- If you are not sure what to give your cat, talk to your vet, who will be able to recommend the most suitable food based on specific nutritional needs.
Step 2. Feed him age-appropriate food
When he is still young, he must eat puppy food, which provides a greater amount of protein to ensure physical and mental development. As it grows, you need to switch to nutritionally complete foods, but don't overdo it to avoid weight gain. When the cat becomes elderly you have to change diet by choosing one suitable for the "senior" specimens, which provides a specific type of nutrient for the needs of this age.
Step 3. If your dog has long hair, you need to feed him foods that prevent hairballs from forming
This is an important precaution, especially if the cat has already suffered from this disorder in the past. In most cases, the food suitable for this purpose is particularly rich in fibers that help the cat get rid of the hair in the intestine; in fact, these substances facilitate the passage of food - and therefore also of the hair - through the digestive tract.
Review with your vet the best food to prevent hairballs; your doctor can recommend a product that meets all the nutritional needs of your little friend, as well as being great for preventing this phenomenon
Step 4. Give him two or three meals a day
The ration depends on the size of the animal; check the label on the package and follow the directions for serving sizes, which are usually based on the size and age of the cat. Cats that tend to eat very quickly should receive lower but more frequent doses.
- Get a veterinarian's advice on portions and frequency of meals; he can give you suggestions that take into account the specific nutritional needs of the cat, so that he maintains a healthy weight.
- If you find that you are starting to gain weight quickly, talk to your doctor. being overweight can lead to more health problems, such as diabetes and joint pain.
Step 5. Provide constant access to water
It is extremely important that he can drink whenever he wants, as dehydration could make him sick. Put the water in a small, clean bowl and replace it every day so that he is tempted to drink at any time.
If you want the water to be particularly attractive to him, consider installing a fountain from which he can drink. it is a device that circulates water in a constant flow and which should attract the attention of the cat. Also be careful to keep it away from litter and food, as the domestic feline may consider it contaminated if it is close to these areas
Method 2 of 4: Safety, Comfort and Hygiene
Step 1. Obtain the identification plate
When you bring a cat home and name it, you should also find a way to make it recognized; for this purpose you can apply a tag on the collar, but you can also implant a microchip by contacting the veterinarian. Even if you plan to raise it by always keeping it at home, it is important that there is a way to identify it; remember that if he goes out, he doesn't have the experience to find his way home.
- If you decide on the tag on the collar, you must indicate his name and your telephone number; make sure you keep your phone number up to date so that if someone finds your cat, they can contact you easily.
- Make sure to secure the tag on the collar with a quick release buckle; by doing so, if the cat gets stuck in some object, the collar can break easily without hurting it.
Step 2. Get him a litter box and teach him how to use it
When you want to raise this animal you have to train it to use "the bathroom" in the correct way; for most domesticated cats this is a fairly straightforward process. Once he is brought home, keep him temporarily confined to a small space with food, water, a kennel, and the litter box. The cat instinctively understands that the litter box serves its physiological needs, since it is a clean animal that chooses a specific area in which to satisfy its needs.
As he gets used to his new home and lets him roam free around the house, you should place the litter box in an area that he can easily access and close to the area where he carries out his main daily activities; that way, you are more likely to use it instead of dirtying the nearest corner
Step 3. Keep trying if litter box training is difficult
If your cat does not instinctively learn how to use it correctly, try transferring some of its feces or urine into the litter box and clean the areas it has soiled outside the litter box. When he smells his own manure in the sand, he realizes that this is the place he should use as a bathroom.
Step 4. Clean the litter box regularly
If you want me to use it, you have to make sure that it is always clean and tidy; remember to remove solid residues every day. You should also empty it completely, clean it and put new substrate on a weekly basis.
If you don't clean up consistently, your cat is likely to find another place to perform its duties
Step 5. Provide him with a comfortable place to sleep
This is another concern to give him when you decide to raise him; arrange a space all for him that is quiet, warm and in which to put his kennel. This could be a difficult task if you live in a particularly crowded and noisy house; however, the cat can also find a corner to settle on its own and the only thing you have to do is place its kennel there.
Many cats prefer a space that receives the sun's rays from the outside; the warmth of the sun and the view of the landscape can easily attract your feline friend. Even if it is a cold day or it is cold inside the home, a sunny corner can make him happy
Step 6. Set up a space for her nails to be done
All cats need something to file them on, so they stay healthy and agile. If you want it to do this without damaging the furniture, you need to get a scratching post or a specific mat; if you see that he is very fond of scratching, you should purchase or make one for each room.
Once you get the scratching post, you need to teach them how to use it. To start, place the accessory in front of a piece of furniture that the cat tends to scratch; you can also show him how to use it by putting his nails on the tool. If none of these methods work, try to make the scratching post interesting by rubbing some catnip on it
Step 7. Keep the pet indoors
Try not to let him out, especially if you live in a city; in this way, their chances of living a long time increase considerably, precisely due to the fact that the risk of illness, injury or violence is reduced. In addition, wildlife, such as birds, also benefit by staying safe and healthy. To entertain and entertain the cat who lives indoors, get him boxes, specific toys and perches to place in front of windows exposed to the sun, so that he can relax. You can also consider keeping at least two, so they keep each other company when you're not around.
If you want to get your cat used to staying indoors, make sure all doors, windows and mosquito nets are closed
Step 8. Make a specific enclosure for him
If you want them to have the experience of seeing and smelling outdoor spaces, you can build a "catio", that is to say a "cat patio" (cat = cat in English). It is a fenced space that is placed outside, usually connected to the wall of the building, where the animal can spend time remaining in the open air, but at the same time without the possibility of roaming freely.
With this enclosure, the cat experiences the feeling of being outdoors, but does not have the possibility of getting lost or killing the surrounding wildlife
Step 9. Brush your fur regularly
Depending on the breed, you should be grooming more often, but all dogs still need to be brushed at least once a week. For example, the Persian cat needs 3 or 4 sessions per week, while the European shorthaired tabby requires only one treatment per week. By doing this, you get rid of tangles and reduce the spread of hair in the air that you then have to clean off the furniture or the floor, not to mention the risk of hairballs forming in his stomach.
These felines should not bathe unless they get very dirty or can not clean themselves satisfactorily. The only exception to this general rule is the Sphynx cat, which is hairless and needs to be bathed once a week to keep the skin's oil production under control
Step 10. Remember to trim your cat's nails
When he is young you have to provide every week; in this way, it gets used to the process and then it becomes less difficult to cut them when it reaches maturity. Trimming the nails is a particularly important procedure if the cat does not regularly go outdoors, where he would have the opportunity to consume them more by carrying out vigorous activities.
To proceed, use a specific cutter for this purpose, available in the guillotine model, scissor or even the nail clipper for human use. Put the tool perpendicular to the nail and cut only the tip; the living dermis - the back of the nail which is rich in blood vessels - must not be severed
Method 3 of 4: Veterinary Care
Step 1. Get it sterilized
Most cats need to be neutered or spayed while still young; in this way, it becomes more docile and surgery reduces the risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as uterine cancer in females. Hardly any veterinarians proceed until the puppy reaches the weight of one kilo; then talk to the doctor who takes care of your little feline to define the best time.
- In addition to the health benefits of this practice, if you have a female you don't even have to worry about when she goes into heat, while the male is less likely to "mark territory" and want to roam outdoors in search of a mate.
- The only cats you shouldn't spay are those you intentionally wish to breed; it should be purebred specimens that are raised by experienced breeders and who act in an ethical and respectful manner.
- If you can, proceed with sterilization, which is better than completely removing the genitals, although it is more expensive. Leaving the ovaries (females) or performing a vasectomy (males) allows to maintain hormonal activity and the resulting behaviors. In this circumstance, it is advisable to proceed with sterilization or neutering for both genders to meet each other's needs. If the cat is only spayed, she continues to have estrus (enters heat) and maintains normal behavior, just as the neutered male continues to roam (if he has no mate in the house) or spraying urine to mark territory (although not all "whole" cats do).
Step 2. Keep your cat indoors before getting him checked by the vet
If you want to raise him properly, you need to provide him with regular veterinary care. When he is still young, only an annual visit is usually needed, during which the doctor checks his general health and updates the vaccines or other therapies he needs; as it grows, it is likely that it will need to be checked more frequently, usually every six months.
You may think these checkups are a waste of money if your little friend is generally healthy, but remember that they allow you to save in the long run instead. If a health problem is encountered early and the right treatments for serious illnesses are provided promptly, you really reduce the health care expense you have to incur, as well as avoiding the animal extra pain and suffering
Step 3. Meet the deadlines for preventive medications
When taking your cat to the vet for a checkup, discuss the advisability of giving flea medications and vaccines. For parasites, a therapy with repellent products such as Frontline and Trifexis is generally recommended, which you must apply at home; It is important to use these medications regularly so that the cat does not get infected with infestations.
Follow your veterinarian's instructions regarding vaccines and related boosters. Your doctor can give you suggestions based on your cat's risk of exposure to certain diseases and their medical history; he may then recommend that you vaccinate him for feline panleukopenia, herpesvirus, calicivirus, rabies, feline leukemia, chlamydiosis, infectious peritonitis, immunodeficiency, bordetella and giardiasis
Method 4 of 4: Affection and Attention
Step 1. Show him affection and love
When you decide to bring a cat home, it is important to guarantee him affection and attention every day; you can do this by holding it in your lap and stroking it daily for a while. You can also play with him and give him uninterrupted attention daily for at least some time. Whatever you do, make sure he understands that you love him and that he represents an important member of the family.
Many cats only require attention from time to time and usually let you know when they want it. If this is also the case with your little friend, be sure to pet him and show him affection when he asks for it; these requests do not always coincide with your availability, but simply remember that the cat always deserves a little attention every day
Step 2. Get him to socialize
In order for him to grow up happy and balanced, you should socialize him since he is a puppy. Introduce it to a wide variety of people starting when they are still very young, so that they understand that this is a normal part of life. By exposing him to many different people and maintaining such positive interactions, he is more likely to become friendly and curious towards new individuals and animals as he reaches maturity, instead of being scared or aggressive towards strangers.
Socialization also involves getting him used to a wide variety of noises and situations; for example, if you expose him from an early age to the sound and movement of the vacuum cleaner, he is less likely to be frightened by it when he becomes an adult
Step 3. Get some games that stimulate his mind
All cats need mental challenges every day; this is especially true when they are puppies and have yet to fully develop their minds. In part, you can give him such stimuli by providing him with interesting toys to distract himself with while he is alone; it could be specific motorized games that the cat can chase around the house, but they can also be very simple objects, such as a fake mouse or balls with bells inside.
- To understand what kind of toy he likes, you will need to bring home different types; once you have a good supply, pay attention to the one he plays with most often and loves the most.
- Just like people, cats also get bored if they spend a lot of time with the same toy all the time; Therefore, always provide him with new and exciting ones, so that he continues to keep his mind very active.
Step 4. Interact with him every day
In addition to giving him toys for him to entertain himself, you should plan to spend quality time playing with him every day. It is important that you have a good time, so that he can develop his mind and his personality; use a feather, rope or laser pointer to make him run and jump. Distribute some toys around the house for him to catch and let him play with other pastimes he likes. These interactions are certainly more interesting than just playing alone.
