Learn how to take care of a cat & how to care for a kitten with this guide. Discover why caring for a stray cat is different than caring for a domestic cat.
Table of Contents
How to Take Care of a Cat
Some say that learning how to take care of a cat is easier than caring for a dog. This is, in part, due to the fact that cats tend to be more self-sufficient. Yes, you will have to clean the litter box, but you will not have to take the cats on walks each day. Also, cats won’t care too much if you are gone for many hours a day, while some dogs will have a hard time with that.
How to Take Care of a Cat: The Basics
Food and Water – The most obvious aspect of caring for a cat is providing food and water. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times. Food should be of a high quality, rather than the “grocery store” food that doesn’t have all of the proper nutrients. Be sure to feed in correct amounts so that your cat will not become overweight.
Litter – Be sure to clean the litter box daily. Failing to do so can lead to illness in your cat. Also, if the box is dirty, the cat may not use it.
Health – Annual visits to the vet are vital for your cat’s good health. Also, any illnesses or injuries should be addressed right away.
Play – Providing toys and climbing surfaces, and making time to play with your cat, is another important part of how to take care of a cat. This will help the cat stay in shape. It will also help you bond with your pet.
How to Take Care of a Kitten
How to take care of a kitten will depend on the age of the kitten. If you get a kitten that has been properly weaned, then it is not much different than caring for a cat, except in the amount of food given and taking extra care around the tiny creature.
If, however, the kitten has not been properly weaned, then you will need to provide milk and wean the kitten yourself. This process is not especially hard, but it is vital to the kitten’s survival.
Visit a vet who will be able to tell you the approximate age of the kitten and give you advice about how much milk to feed and when to start to move to a mixture of formula and soft food and finally just to food.
How to Take Care of a Stray Cat
Caring for stray cats is not the same as caring for a domesticated cat. Some of these cats have no interest in becoming “indoor” cats. If, however, you do decide to bring one in, it is VERY important to keep them away from your other pets until a vet has given them a clean bill of health.
There are conflicting opinions about whether to feed stray cats. Some say it will just draw more. Others say that it can hinder the cat’s hunting skills. It is a tough call, but you will have to come to a personal decision about how little or how much to do for stray cats near you.
Learning how to care for a cat is not hard, and the rewards of having a feline pet are well worth the effort.