Cats are born pleasure seekers, and your cat
will find lots of comfortable places around your home to hang out. You
can expand your pet's comfort zone by selecting the right supplies and
equipment. Here are six ways to make your cat more comfortable.
Food
Mealtimes
are a highlight of your cat's day, and providing her with nutritional
food she likes will keep her active, healthy and delighted with dinner.
While many cat lovers successfully feed their cats only one type of
food, variety in your cat's diet prevents boredom and helps you convert
her to a special diet if she develops a health condition, such as
diabetes or kidney problems.
Feed her a high-quality diet
(such as Iams or Science Diet) appropriate for her life stage and
health. Most commercial cat food is palatable, formulated for a cat's
needs and meets the requirements established by the Association of
Animal Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). The variety is almost endless, so try different flavors to determine what she likes best.
Most
cats love canned food and giving a little each day can be a special
treat and also help you to ensure that your kittys appetite is good.
Tooth problems can be very painful.If she has dental disease, see your veterinarian and make sure she gets the care she needs.
Bowls
Your
cat may be influenced by her dish as well as her dinner. Bowls should
be big enough for her to eat without squashing her whiskers. If your
cat has feline acne - black crusty patches on her chin – plastic bowls
will retain oils and can make the condition worse.
Cats often
prefer to drink water away from their food. Choose separate food and
water bowls and place the water dish in a different location to
encourage drinking.
Feed only portions she can eat within 20 to
30 minutes so uneaten portions won't attract bugs. A molded-plastic
ant-proof bowl or placing her bowl in a larger saucer of water will
keep ants from getting to her food. To keep her dry food fresh, store
it in an air-tight container or place extra food in the freezer until
you are ready to serve it.
Litter
Cats are
fastidious creatures, and litter that helps you keep the box clean also
keeps the box attractive to your cat. Selecting the right cat litter
ensures that your cat will continue to use her litter box.
Clay
litter absorbs your cat's urine, but unless the litter is changed every
day, she may find the urine odor offensive. Clumping litter forms
little patties when your cat eliminates, and she will like the soft
feel of it under her feet. Because it's easier to maintain, you will be
able to make the box more appealing to your cat.
Many cats don't
appreciate the fragrance of scented litter. If you're using a covered
box, the fragrance may build up and be even more repulsive to your cat.
Litter
liners prevent the box from absorbing odor, but some cats are afraid of
plastic. If your cat scurries off when you get out a garbage bag,
chances are she will not like a plastic liner in her litter box.
A
note about the litter box: Be sure the box is big enough for her to
turn around in, and not difficult to get in or out of. This means the
box she uses as a kitten may not be the right size when she is an
adult. In addition, some cats like covered boxes, for privacy, while
others don't like to feel confined. You may have to experiment to find
the right one.
Bedding
Your cat spends 16 hours a
day sleeping, so finding an appropriate place to sack out is important
for her comfort level. She may opt to sleep with you or on a
comfortable chair. Buy a cat bed only if you want a special place for
her to sleep. She may use it for catnaps when you're not around, and
sleep with you at night. Cats love to snuggle in tight places, so the
right bed is a soft one in which your cat can nestle and keep warm.
Toys and Posts
Providing
a variety of toys will satisfy your cat's natural need to play.
Fishing-pole-style toys give her a great overall workout by promoting
jumping and leaping. Windup or mechanical toys provide mental and
physical stimulation, and balls encourage running and chasing.
To
keep your cat from becoming bored when you're away or preoccupied,
supply her with some self-activated toys. Hide toys around the house
for your cat to find and rotate them when she loses interest in old
ones. Store her catnip toys in a container of loose catnip to refresh
their scent.
If your cat stays indoors, a multi-level cat tree
provides exercise and a place to get away from it all. Different cats
enjoy scratching different substances, so choose a tree or post made
from a combination of sisal rope, carpet and wood.
A Daily Routine
Cats
are creatures of habit, so getting your cat used to a schedule
increases her contentment quotient. Your cat will come to know the
pulse beats of your day, anticipate your arrival home and look forward
to the positive interactions the two of you share, such as eating,
playing and just spending time together.
Legal Disclaimer
If your pet is showing any signs of distress or you suspect your pet is seriously ill, CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN immediately.
All of the information presented on this website was developed by
Intelligent Content Corporation staff members and is the sole
responsibility of Intelligent Content Corporation.
See the legal terms on the website for additional legal terms.
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