Having a kitten is no small responsibility. Your new cat will need love and attention, especially in the first months of your establishment. If this is your first time taking care of a cat, you can read some advice from Bodhi Zazen. Now, assuming your kitten will live a long and healthy life, it will require regular evaluation of her behavior and habits, regular veterinary checks, and proper hygiene and nutrition. These tips may also be useful in this regard.
When I adopted my kitten, it took me some time to ascertain all aspects of maintaining my kitten’s health and well-being. Here are my techniques to keep your cat healthy and happy.
Give Your Cat a Proper Nutrition
Many cats get sick from poor nutrition. In particular, cats want the amino acid taurine for good cardiovascular health and reduce the potential for blindness. A well-fed kitten also wants a low carbohydrate diet. Too many carbohydrates can upset the cat’s blood sugar and insulin balance and cause diabetes.
Give Your Cat a Proper Hydration
Cats can be very thirsty, so it is important to keep clean water available in the house. Lack of water in your cat’s diet can result in bad urinary tract system functioning. Then if it’s getting worse, it can result in an inflamed bladder.
Observe Your Cat’s Behavior
While routine visits to the vet can ensure proper monitoring of your cat’s overall health, you also must keep an eye on your furry friend at home. Take note of any odd or sudden changes in your cat’s behavior. If you notice blood everywhere (stool, skin), call your vet immediately.
Keep a Tidy Place
Cats are clean animals. As for food, would you eat from a single plate before washing it several times in a row? Your cat shouldn’t do that. Keep the water and dishes clean. Replace the water in the aquarium at least once a day. Remove stains from your cat cleanly and gently.
Visit the Vet Regularly
Visits to the vet should not replace healthy living at home, but it is worth it if allowed. Cats should be taken to the vet every year. Older cats (7 years old) can often benefit from six-monthly visits, as most psychiatric disorders are treated if detected early.
Examine your cat’s habits and behavior at home and check with your vet if there have been any significant changes. A newly adopted cat should be taken to the vet within the first week; kittens within the first three days. This could help establish a health roadmap. The veterinary visit will probably include a physical examination, internal and external pest control and booster injections, and cat vaccines.
Give Your Cat Dental Care
Whether or not your cat will develop these diseases depends on a few things, the most important being the speed at which calcium accumulates in the cat’s teeth. Most vets recommend that preventive dental care and dental hygiene should begin regularly at the age of two.
Many others, such as feline nutritionist Dr. Lisa Pierson, claim that these dental health benefits are exaggerated. Pierson says that many cats have the whole kibble and do not chew them. Foods specially formulated to invisibly prevent dental disease and, depending on your cat’s overall health, these foods may be appropriate.