How to provide a comfortable life for cats regardless of age and breed
Tips for beginners
Test for experienced
Checklist for caring owners
of all happy cats
Secrets
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Why it pushes away?
Why it "burries" the food?
How to choose the right food brand?
Can I wash it and how often?
How to stop it from scratching everything?
What food from the table can I give?
New cat owners always have a lot of questions about all care aspects...
New cat owners always have a lot of questions about all care aspects...
Click on plus signs to uncover authors' cats
With time comes experience
"For me, the mating period of cats was an eye-opener.
During this time, my cat was easy to handle, and I could clip her nails".
Lera
"The cat may not accept the litter filler. It took me a long time to find the right one".
Anna
"I was surprised that cats are not allowed to drink dairy products.
And there is a special paste that helps cats get rid of hairballs".
Olya
"When travelling, I talk to my cat a lot, to make him feel better."
Diana
"Due to long fur we cut it around their butts to ensure droppings do not stick to it".
Tanya
"Cats are very anxious creatures and should be handled with care.
If there is a lot of stress, it is better to postpone routine procedures".
Julia
"Cats often have urolithiasis disease. For prevention, special drops can be added to the food".
Liza
"Like people, cats can get bored with toys, so over time they stop playing with them.
It seems trivial, but I have only recently realized this".
Maria
if you just got your first ever cat…
follow these 5 tips
or planning to get one...
Follow the rules of cat feng shui
make sure you have all the things a cat needs
1
Click on numbers for more information
Clean up after the cat — drag toys into a box
Be patient as cat-friendly household items may be hard to find right away
A typical grooming kit might look like this: combs according to coat type, claw clippers, toothbrush and toothpaste/gel (special for cats/dogs), shampoo, cotton swabs and sticks, wipes, eye and ear lotions.
Choose the carrier that is spacious and won't bend.
Organize areas for your cat to rest and hide. By having its own designated spot cat knows it can retreat to safety when scared or upset. This helps the cat feel secure and calm, eases anxiety and builds trust with its owner.
It is important to place as many water bowls/containers around the house as possible. Cats do not have the instinct to drink water regularly, so they will not go to another part of the house just to drink. They need a visual reminder that water is available.
Better not to place water near food as cats may fear such water and consider it «tainted».
Better not to place water near food as cats may fear such water and consider it «tainted».
To ensure your cat has enough space to move, get a large litter box.
To prevent issues with the litter box, place it in a private area, away from high traffic areas, so the cat feels secure. Frightened cats might decline to utilize the litter box or use it sparingly, which can cause urolithiasis disease.
To prevent issues with the litter box, place it in a private area, away from high traffic areas, so the cat feels secure. Frightened cats might decline to utilize the litter box or use it sparingly, which can cause urolithiasis disease.
There’s no perfect filler — choose one that your pet likes to go to. Sometimes fillers are not used at all.
Try not to buy scented ones — they may repel your cat, as their sense of smell is very strong.
Try not to buy scented ones — they may repel your cat, as their sense of smell is very strong.
Ceramic bowls are considered to be the best because plastic absorbs odors and food particles and is easily damaged.
Be sure to keep food away from the litter box — cats have a strong sense of smell.
Ideally, the food bowl should be wide and with low borders not to interfere with sensitive whiskers.
Be sure to keep food away from the litter box — cats have a strong sense of smell.
Ideally, the food bowl should be wide and with low borders not to interfere with sensitive whiskers.
There is no such thing as the perfect cat food - only appropriate. Such food will provide regular stools of the right consistency, gorgeous hair, no vomiting and no digestive problems.
Prerequisite is that your cat actually likes this food. Remember that complete refusal to eat for a day or more is a reason to urgently contact a veterinarian.
Prerequisite is that your cat actually likes this food. Remember that complete refusal to eat for a day or more is a reason to urgently contact a veterinarian.
There are different types of scratching posts and it's best to stock up on a few.
Place them in different rooms.
Cats use them for grooming, playing, stress relief and relaxation.
Place them in different rooms.
Cats use them for grooming, playing, stress relief and relaxation.
learn more
A careless jump can get their paws stuck in the cracks of the radiators.
You can accidentally pinch or hit your pet.
Some houseplants and bouquets are poisonous to cats such as lilies.
Get rid of those.
Cats often fall out of open windows. Anti-cat nets are advised.
Vertical ventilation also causes many feline deaths. Cats can become stuck after attempting to jump out.
Owners have been known to negligently start a machine with a cat inside. Check it before start.
Some items can become lodged in the intestines and cause complications that may require surgery, such as hair bands, threads, and string decorations.
Grapes, raisins, prunes, chocolate, onions and garlic, and avocados are toxic to cats. Research what food should not be given to your pet and keep it away.
radiator
doors
Dangerous plants
Unprotected windows
washing machine
Small inedible objects
food from the table
There are many hazards for cats, some of which you haven't thought of
Prepare your house for a cat
Secure the space
Save the cat by clicking on the drawing
2
Once kittens fall or jump in they often can’t get out.
toilet
Tongue contact with the tip of a plugged-in charger can be fatal.
When playing with a rope, the cat may jump in and hang on without being able to get out on its own.
plugged charges
w/o devices
blinder ropes
Read additional information
regular feeding schedule helps cats feel safe and secure
also
medical kit for a cat
Get personalized care recommendations based on age, breed and health
Regular check-ups at the vet will help to detect any deteriorations of health
Cats cannot be left to their own devices 24/7, so make sure to provide at least 15 min of active play 2 times a day
Timely react to any suspicious symptoms
And less active pets tend to gain weight if their owners don't adjust portions
Try to find a vet clinic close to your house to minimize additional stress for your pet.
There are special calming bites or pills you can feed your cat prior to the appointment.
There are special calming bites or pills you can feed your cat prior to the appointment.
Click on numbers for more information
Read more
The frequency of treatment depends on where the pet lives (apartment, house), whether it has access to the street or has contacts with other cats or animals.
Remember there are external (ectoparasites) and internal (endoparasites) parasites, so there are different types of treatments — drops on the withers, tablets.
Remember there are external (ectoparasites) and internal (endoparasites) parasites, so there are different types of treatments — drops on the withers, tablets.
It is important to vaccinate your cat against four diseases:
An individualized vaccination schedule can be prepared with a veterinarian.
- Panleukopenia
- Calicivirosis
- Rhinotracheitis
- Rabies
An individualized vaccination schedule can be prepared with a veterinarian.
Monitor cat’s health
3
Water and food
Grooming
Cleaning
1 — well-balanced
2 — as per age and health status
1 — coat combing
2 — dental hygiene
3 — eye, claw and ear care
4 — bathing as needed
5 — hygienic haircuts (under the tail)
3 — Cleaning of carpets, furniture, skirting boards, beds and toys from cat hair
1 — wet mopping
2 — clean litter box
1 — fresh every day
2 — filtered
Cats are truly members of the family and deserve proper care
Take care of your pet
4
Be ready to spend time on cleaning the house and grooming your pet regularly
That way you prolong your pet's health and reduce number of vet visits
about stress
Your cat’s moods and desires can be understood by the movements of its body, tail, ears and pupils
Study your cat’s typical behavior in different situations, so you can respond to requests or recognize uncharacteristic behavior that may be a symptom of illness or stress
5
Study cat language and psychology
Click on numbers to learn more
Frightened
cautious but interested
Annoyed
attentive
frightened and attentive
- tail tense and tucked
- ears erect
- neat stride
- pupils slightly dilated
- any pose (seating, laying)
- tail moving right to left or tapping intensively
- tail is down
- fur is flinted
- back is arched
- ears back
- pupils dilated
- tense posture
- ears back
- pupils dilated
- appear smaller
- tail "gathered"
- ears up
- keen eye
now test yourself
and that is it'
Results
How would your cat rate you?
I have several hiding spots where nobody disturbs me when I am scared
I guess I will always be fit as my owners strictly monitor my diet at all times
With anti-cat nets on windows I can only dream of catching birds
I have many toys that are renewed regularly, so no boring times
My teeth are kept very clean due to regular grooming
All small inedible objects are hidden from me so that I am healthy
I have my own medical kit even though I rarely need it
My water is changed daily and only filtered I admit
I play with my lovely owners every day at least for 30 min
My litter box is kept clean so I never have to poop or pee elsewhere
My personal space is respected and they never pet me without permission
Lilies? Ficus? Aloe? I don’t know those plants. They keep me safe from them
Curtains, sofas are of no interest to me — I have plenty my own scratching posts
When I don’t feel well, my owners notice and take action right away
They don’t let me wear street shoes or clothes — further away from ticks and dirt
Which statements would your pet agree with?
Click on statements and count matches
I hope you enjoyed this experience
and found the website useful
Kristina Shvetc
website's author
muse
Information for pop-ups is taken from public sources, and photos of kitties and quotes are displayed with the permission of cat owners
Take the tips with you
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Web-design, animation and illustrations
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Medical kit for a cat
Tools
- Disposable syringes (medications, intravenous and mouth-to-mouth medications)
- thermometer (not a mercury thermometer — the temperature is measured through the anus, and mercury is a strong poison for the cat)
- rubber pears (enemas and eye flushing)
- pipettes (for eye/ear drops)
- dressing materials
Prophylaxis
- antihelminthic agents
- drops against fleas and other parasites
- ear cleaning lotions
- eye care products
Medication
- antihistamines
- adsorbents
- analgesics
- antiemetics
- antiseptics
- laxatives
Some human medications are suitable for cats, but some are toxic. Be sure to consult your veterinarian for advice on how to complete the first aid kit and dosages.
Special medications (antibiotics, antivirals, eye and ear drops / ointments) should be purchased only when prescribed by a veterinarian.
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Causes
Cats are sensitive to changes in their environment and a variety of factors can cause stress in cats:
- changes in their routines (feeding, etc.).
- the arrival of new animals or babies in the home
- moving, renovations, thunderstorms
- death of a family member
- long absence
- lack of attention
- atrip to a veterinary clinic
- strangers in the house
- illness, injury, parasites
- pregnancy and breastfeeding
- loud noises and conflicts
- excessive petting
Symptoms
In cats, stress can manifest itself in different ways, but the most common symptoms are:
- gut problems
- skin problems
- bladder problems
- urination outside the litter box
- loud meowing
- aggression toward people
- aggression toward other animals
- obsessive licking
- loud rumbling or hissing
- hair loss
- weight loss or gain
- attempts to hide
- scruffy appearance
Prevention
Prolonged stress disrupts the entire cat’s body and symptoms should not be ignored.
It is not possible to completely protect your cat from stress, but it is possible to help your cat cope with atypical situations.
Prepare your cat if a potentially stressful event is looming:
- before claw clipping, touch the claws, pet them
- tell them the rules of behavior before guests visit, and give the cat a safe place to hide, etc.
- etc.
Stress in cats
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Safety for indoor cats
Unprotected windows are a known danger for cats. It is not only about windows without nets, but also about vertical ventilation. Thousands of cats die each year due to owners' neglect.
But there are many dangers to a cat in the home.
Projects covering safety topics:
- "Cats are not birds" describes in details how to protect a cat from indoor dangers
- Creative website "Cats and plants" about dangerous plants for cats
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Illness symptoms
Cats try to hide their ailments from their owners, so it is important for you to notice changes in your cat’s condition in time to avoid complications
Indicates general discomfort:
- low/high body temperature
- Sudden loss of interest in eating
- sudden weight loss
- apathy, lethargy
- vomiting and/or diarrhea
- discharge from the nose, eyes, or ears
- hair problems
May indicate specific conditions:
- Nervousness, bald patches, baldness (skin disease, parasites)
- photophobia, swollen eyelids, purulent discharge from the eye, tearing (eye disease)
- Head shaking, dark brown plaque in the eardrum (ear disease, ear mites).
Do not diagnose your pet by these symptoms on your own — be sure to see a veterinarian.
More examples here.
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Results
You are almost perfect owner!
Work on your skills and read additional info to get better.
Work on your skills and read additional info to get better.
Your pet is to be envied. It's great that he/she has you!
Kudos and respect from all the happy cats!
1-10 matches
10-14 matches
15 matches - bingo!