Tips About Cats

Socialization and Play

• You may have been told that cats are solitary creatures. This is only partly true. Cats don't need constant companionship to be content. They do, however, need to socialize and play, preferably with other cats and with humans. Cats are healthier and happier when kept in pairs. They also live longer and are less likely to become obese.

  If you can't keep multiple cats, you must take on the role of a feline companion as well as that of a human owner. That mean initiating daily play sessions with your cat and participating in social grooming behavior. Cats kept alone will need more human attention than cats kept in pairs or groups.

  Play is necessary, not optional, for cats. Play keeps cats fit and happy. It's also the primary way they relate to their surroundings, especially as kittens. All cats should have daily interactive play sessions and constant access to toys, cat furniture and scratching posts.

Health and Nutrition

• Cats are obligate carnivores. That means they must have meat and cannot survive on a vegetarian or vegan diet. In the wild, cats will eat no vegetable matter except for occasional gnawing on grass or leafy plants in order to improve their digestion. In home environments, cats do best on either a complete canned food that is mostly meat or on a raw diet. Dry food with lots of lean meat and minimal grains or no grain is also a healthful option.

  Vaccinations are not always necessary for indoor-only cats. Kittens should receive the recommended vaccinations, and adult cats should be vaccinated as required by law, but other vaccinations are not necessary if the cat won't be exposed to other cats or wildlife. This is because most feline viruses are transmitted only through body fluids. Vaccination in cats can cause sarcomas to develop, so it's best to vaccinate only for conditions the cat is likely to be exposed to.

  Never allow a cat to refuse more than one meal. Even one or two days without food can cause hepatitic lipidosis, a potentially fatal condition.

  Adult cats should visit a veterinarian twice each year for a checkup. Bloodwork should be performed at least annually to watch for changes that might indicate illness. Cats rarely show obvious symptoms of illness until they are sick, so preventive care is necessary.

Environment

• Indoor cats are safer and healthier than outdoor cats. Hazards such as predators and cars don't affect indoor cats. In addition, cats that live inside won't fight with or be exposed to illness by stray and feral outdoor cats.

  A cat's indoor environment should be stimulating and fun. Scratching posts are a must-have, preferably tall ones. Cat condos and other cat furniture are highly desirable. Try putting a tall piece of cat furniture next to a window and hanging a bird feeder outside the window. Your cat will sit and watch the birds all day.