How to Care for a Cat

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Litter box
Cat litter
Slotted pooper scooper
Vaccinations
Neutering or Spaying
Topical flea treatment
Sisal rope scratching post
Dry cat food
Fresh bowl of water
Balls or cat toys
Cat brush

Step 1:
Get a covered litter box. The cover will help control odor and keep the cat from urinating over the side. Even if you plan to keep your cat outdoors some of the time, it is healthier for the cat if it can urinate indoors when it needs to. Also, most cats will prefer their litter box to going outdoors. It is cleaner(if you take care of it like you are supposed to) and prevents the cat from catching parasites, such as toxoplasmosis, from digging in the outside dirt.
Step 2:
Get some cat litter to put in the litter box. The clumping kind stays cleaner and lasts much longer. Also get a slotted pooper scooper to remove the droppings daily.
Step 3:
Take the cat for a veterinary check-up and obtain any needed vaccinations. Also have it spayed or neutered in order to prevent unwanted pregnancies or male spraying. Get some topical flea treatment from your veterinarian. You are supposed to apply it once a month, but once every two months will still do the trick.
Step 4:
Get a scratching post with sisal rope. Carpeted scratching posts can make a cat sick if it ingests the carpet. A scratching post will help save your furniture and allow your cat to satisfy its scratching instinct.
Step 5:
Get some dry cat food from your veterinarian. Some cats prefer dry food, others wet. Dry food is easier for the owner to dispense, doesn't make any mess, and doesn't have as much smell. Always make sure the cat has a fresh bowl of water every day, especially if it is eating dry cat food.
Step 6:
Get some balls or cat toys for your cat to play with. Also get a brush to take care of its fur. Stroke your cat and talk to it to show affection.

Tips & Warnings

Don't have your cat declawed. Claws are your cats only defense. Declawing is cruel, removes part of their bones and upsets the delicate balance of their paw. This makes it difficult for them to walk in the way nature intended.

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