About Cats – Keeping Cats
As the cat lover already knows cats are a big commitment. Well-kept cats will reach around 15 years of age and be a great companion for many years. Cats are very strong characters and all the more interesting, as they will retain their free will. Please think carefully about what you are committing to when planning on keeping a cat. Looking after cats is very rewarding and getting a cat is usually simple as many cats are offered but you need to understand the basics of keeping cats before you can find the right cat for you. It is a great idea to find a good book on cats and take some time to read into how to keep cats – have a look through our cat bookstore if you please.
History of cats with humans
Cats are probably the most popular pets in the world today with over 600 million cats living in households around the globe (only rivaled by dogs) and cats have been in the company of humans for at least 10,000 years. It was long taken as a fact that the origin of Felix Catus – which means domestic cat – lies in ancient Egypt where cats played a big role in social life. Numerous recordings from ancient Egypt illustrate how cats were kept as friends and companions so many years ago. Today however new evidence points further back into history, currently placing the first domestic cats into ancient Persia. A recent (2007) study investigated the DNA lines of the domestic cat and concluded that almost all domestic cat types descend from originally African wild cats, which were domesticated about 8000BC in the area today known as the Near East.
We have to remember that we are still exploring our own history and as we keep looking further and further back into human history, it is likely that the domestic cat will be found there too. Cats – again like dogs – were very likely not adopted by our ancestors as a companions but as very useful predators, protecting human interests by hunting for mice, protecting crops and going after many types of vermin from common household pests to poisonous snakes and other unwanted visitors. Of course you would assume friendship between cats and humans would have formed right away since the cat – human relationship would have been the basis to domesticate and use cats for human profit.
But of course cats have profited much from coexisting with humans. Today almost all types of cats except the domestic cat are endangered and loosing their habitats while the domestic cat continues to use our way of life and our environment as territory and save way of life. While most cats today are simply kept for their companionship, many cats still help farmers to reduce mice and other pests. A highly specialized predator, the cat hunts over 1000 different animals species for food.
Responsibilities of the cat owner
Very simply put a cat requires a balanced diet, it has to be able to exercise and explore and you need to provide your cat with shelter and protection from weather and potential dangers and stressful situations. You must also look out for the health of your cat, you need to understand the symptoms of illness so you can take action when required bringing your cat to your local vet.
It is the owner who is responsible for his cat’s behavior. If a cat injures a human, causes damages to personal property or kills wildlife – all of it and more will be the cat owner’s responsibility. Even if your cat causes too much noise in the neighborhood or leaves its droppings in unwanted places – you can and you likely will be held responsible. The Australian RSPCA recommends to keep all cats indoors over night – both to protect the cat, the owner from cat liabilities and damages and of course the local wildlife, as your cat is most likely to hunt at night. In some places this recommendation has become law and you are required to keep your cat inside from dusk till dawn.
Cat food – what cats eat
You want to make sure your cat is used to a regular diet rather than prying on the local wildlife for food. Cats need a high fat diet very rich in protein. Cats are very fussy eaters and it might prove difficult for your self to cook up proper cat food. That is why most cat lovers use the widely commercially available cat food. Cats are often plagued by deficiency diseases, mostly not because they don’t get what they need from you but because they will choose not to eat it all.
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Feed your cat little but feed your cat often (2-3 times a day)
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Don’t leave left over food in the cat bowl
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Clean the cat food bowl after a meal
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Assure access to clean water at all times – very important cat health factor
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Combine a diet rotation of tin and dry food covering a complete diet
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Do not give your cat milk – your cat will have diarrhoea
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Do not feed raw meat as primary diet – it does not provide a balanced nutrition
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Do not feed your cat dog food
Cat Accommodation and cat play
Your cat does not need much but it will usually prefer to sit on your bed or your favorite chair rather then in the nice new cat basket you just bought. If your cat is an outdoors cat, make sure your cat has permanent access to the house through a cat door. Installations which assure only your cat can get in and no others are a great idea and make sure no other cat succeeds to dominate your cat in the house. A cat door assures your cat can get the exercise it wants when it needs it.
It is very important that cats have the opportunity to exercise. It will keep your cat healthy – also on a psychological level. Provide some toys for your cat and swap them once in a while to keep your cat stimulated. Most important of all – play with your cat every day, be a friend to your cat.
Litter Trays
Cats are very clean animals by nature and easily trained to use an indoor litter tray. The best way to go about getting your new cat used to the litter tray is to try different materials like sand, clay or pellets. Each cat will prefer a different tray material and you will know when you found it – stick to it, no need to change again. The same goes for the litterbox placement, think about it beforehand and don’t change the cat litter box placement once the cat is used to it. Your cat will need good and permanent access to the box and it prefers a bit of privacy – just like yourself. Keep the cat litterbox clean at all times as your cat will refuse to use it if it is too dirty for its liking.
A cat scratching pole
A cat-scratching pole is an excellent idea and if you have an indoors only cat it is absolutely essential. Cats need to use their claws to keep them in shape for climbing and fighting. They look after their claws and sharpen them regularly. That’s why you need that scratching pole or you may see heavy damage to your furniture. Make sure the cat scratching pole you choose has plenty of different material surfaces to work on and is high enough to be interesting to the cat – at least a meter.
Cat health
You must keep an eye on your cats health. Your vet will of course determine any problems and particular symptoms but you must understand how to pick a healthy and happy cat so you can act for your cats health when the need arises. Look out for:
Cats fall ill very rapidly and usually the clear signs for you to take action are when your cat stops eating or drinking and is lethargic instead of energetic and agile. Don’t wait if you see those symptoms, take your cat to the vet.
Cat Vaccinations
Consult you veterinarian on cat vaccinations. Some are essential and even compulsory. Not having the proper vaccinations may lead to your cats death. The first cat vaccinations are usually applied when the cat is about 8 weeks old.
Fleas
Fleas are one of the most common parasites affecting cat health. There are a large number of products and medications you can apply – it is best to discuss a particular cat flea treatment schedule with your vet. It is also a great idea to prevent flea infestations by using a flea collar.
Desexing cats
Cats are often desexed to prevent unwanted cat litters and of course to prevent both male and female cats from their changing nature and aggressive behavior or habits like spraying a territory with urine when in heat.
Worming cats
Your cat needs to be treated for worms on a regular basis. Discuss the schedule and the available applications with your vet.
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