Cats are adorable and cuddly, but they can be difficult to care for, especially if they are kept all of the time indoors. Felines are natural hunters who quickly become bored, so they are naturally curious. This can lead to issues, such as when they try to scale your curtains to get a better view of your living room.
You will raise a healthy cat and live in peace with them if you consider their basic needs.
1.Maintain Interest in their Life
Life is humdrum and monotonous for most indoor cats. As a result, you must keep them as busy as possible. “Our misconception of cats as low-maintenance pets has resulted in bored and stressed cats. According to Ariel Mosenco, DVM, of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, this has resulted in an epidemic of feline obesity and stress-related diseases like urinary tract infections. Cats need interactive playtime to fulfill their hunting instincts while still keeping them busy. To save a pudgy pussycat at bay, you’ll need a range of toys and plenty of one-on-one time as an owner.
2.Place of the Litter Box
Cats, too, need their bedroom. Even if you don’t have a whole room to spare, make sure your kitty has their own space in your house, complete with food and water, a scratching post, a bed, and a litter box. Chris Miller, DVM, co-owner of Atlas District Veterinary Hospital in Washington, DC, says, “The litter box position is important.” To avoid the scent, keep it in a secluded location, but if it’s too difficult to access, your cat can stop using it. Maintain a big litter box in a well-lit, peaceful area of the house. “They can avoid using the box if the area is too dark and frightening, such as a basement, or too noisy, such as a laundry room,” Miller says. Often, holding a cat’s food and water in a particular place. Keys, like you, don’t want to eat while still going to the bathroom.
Pay attention to what you’re scooping. According to Miller, a cat’s litter box usage (or lack thereof) may indicate that something is wrong with them. Blood in the litter box, frequent trips but just a few pees, and meowing or other noises when your cat goes are all signals that you should take them to the vet.
3.Taking Care of Your Cat’s Nutrition
It’s a good idea to set up a feeding schedule for most cats. Usually, two meals a day are spaced 8 to 12 hours apart. Your veterinarian will advise you about how much your pet can eat regularly based on its size and activity level. Even if you are concerned that your cat will get hungry, it is best not to let a bowl of food out all day. This could lead to your cat eating as much as they can, causing them to gain too much weight. If your cat begs for food when you’re eating, avoid the temptation to feed them from your plate. Onions, garlic, raisins, certain nuts, and chocolate, among other human foods, are poisonous to cats. Some foods, such as milk, are challenging to digest for many cats and can make them ill. Often, make sure your cat has access to fresh water at all times.
4.Claws and Collars
Cats are great escape artists, even though they are only kept indoors. If they make a run for it, keep a collar on them with their name and your phone number on it. According to many humane societies, microchips are the safest way to return your pet to you safely. If your cat manages to escape, they would be at a disadvantage if they are declawed. Many veterinarians advise keeping the cat’s claws if at all necessary. “Declawing must be a last resort in my view because it is a painful operation for the cat,” Gardsbane says. “It can only be considered if the cat stays with someone who has an immune system that is compromised, as a cat scratch could be fatal.” Are you concerned about the condition of your furniture? Bennett claims she’s found other ways to protect herself from her cats’ potential damage.
“They love the large scratching post (which we rub with catnip every few weeks) and the smaller cardboard scratchers in the other spaces. They choose to use these over our furniture, but Noodle did tear up the leg of a table I liked before I got them.” Most cat experts would tell you that keeping an indoor cat safe is better than owning one that goes outside because you can track their behavior and get veterinary attention immediately if they become sick. But, Bennett says it’s the bond between owner and pet that keeps her cats safe when it comes down to it. She believes that the best ways to keep your indoor cat happy are love and focus.