A Guide For First Time Cat Owners

A Guide For First Time Cat Owners

Cats have been domesticated for close to 10,000 years and often rival dogs as our closest companion in the animal kingdom. Modern day cats are domesticated versions of the African wildcat and have been bred to exhibit a plethora of characteristics and looks as well as personality traits. In the right environment, cats can become very well trained pets that not only provide companionship but are very entertaining and affectionate too.

First Time Cat Owners Important decisions about your cat start from the very first day you meet. Since cats are common pets you will have little difficulty finding a feline although where and who your cat comes from is very important. If you are looking to get a kitten, always try and visit the litter when they are still with the mother to allow you to gauge the health of your cat's brother and sisters as well as the temperament of the mother cat. Seeing the kittens in their natural environment is advised for people who do not want a 'farmed' kitten; a process by which cats are bred intensively for profit and can cause life-threatening health problems.

From kitten to old age, the health of your cat should be a number one priority. If looked after correctly, cats can be long lived; the oldest cat in the world 'Creme Puff' lived to the ripe old age of 38. To ensure your cat gets the best start in life, de-worm and de-flea your kitten on a regular basis. Cats should also be vaccinated against diseases such as feline leukaemia and FIV - feline immunodeficiency Virus - which is the feline equivalent of the human AIDs virus. A qualified vet will be able to advise you on the best vaccines and treatments for your cat as well as the benefits of yearly check-ups. Since vets bills can sometimes prove costly, pet insurance is recommended. A combination of health and life insurance similar to that of humans, pet insurance gives you peace of mind and means vets treatment is never an issue.

First Time Cat Owners Cats are notoriously playful creatures and very inquisitive as well. Cat owners will be familiar to a cat's need to 'scratch'; a process by which a cat sheds its claws by scratching furnishings and wood. To prevent your puss from attacking sofas and tables a good piece of advice would be to invest in a cat scratcher designed purely for this purpose. Cats also like to play with toys such as bells, feathers and 'nip mice'; a soft toy mouse stuffed with the catmint herb that stimulates the cat's senses. Until cats have matured beyond kittenhood, you should never leave a young feline alone with toys in case they inadvertently damage themselves.

Finally, First Time Cat Owners finding a quality cat food that your pet enjoys is also integral to health and well being. While cats are traditionally thought to enjoy milk and cream this should be definitely be avoided. Contrary to public belief, cats in fact lack the digestive enzyme needn't to break down milk in the gut and - just is the case with lactose intolerant humans - diary products should not be consumed. A quality tinned meat coupled with some nutrient rich dry biscuits is a recommended diet. Water should also be made available at all times to ensure your cat is in tip top, feline form at all times.