When it comes to feeding our feline friends, it’s important to remember that cats aren’t small dogs that climb trees. And they do have some particular nutritional needs.
Protein is one of the most important nutrients in a cat’s diet. It provides “the building blocks” a cat needs to grow and stay healthy. It is also a source of energy for a cat. Protein is responsible for keeping skin, hair, muscles, and more in healthy working order. Amino acids in protein are used to make most enzymes, which are necessary for proper metabolism.
In addition to protein, fat and carbohydrate, cats need vitamins. These are important because they help support your cat’s metabolism.
Minerals are important to your cat’s health. To give your furry friend the minerals she needs, feed her a regular diet of the Whiskas® branded cat foods. Some important minerals are:
As the new queen of your household, your cat deserves a fitting name, a name that gets at the essence of who she is, what she looks like and her personality. So, what's a great name for a cat? How do you decide?
Cat’s eyes are incredible. They’re able to catch light and movement at a 180-degree angle. And they can see in every kind of light. Regularly checking your furry friend’s eyes will help ensure that she can hunt in even the darkest corners of your home.
Now that you're getting a cat, you have to decide what kind. Should you get cat with a pedigree or a non-pedigree? Longhair or shorthair? Male or a female? You may even be wondering if you should get more than one.
Take an active role in keeping your cat's teeth clean and healthy.
Kittens are naturally clean animals. And though they’re mostly self-sufficient when it comes to hygiene, we play an important role in helping them stay clean and healthy.
Cats are naturally clean animals, so toilet training is usually pretty simple. Cats are also rather secretive about their toilet habits, so try to let them “do their business” in private.
You can become an expert at reading your cat's moods just by observing her face, ears, and eyes. Here’s a look at your cat's language and how to understand it.
Cats can get hurt both inside and outside of the home. It's up to you to turn your home into a safe cat haven.
If you need to reprimand your cat for problematic behavior (like scratching furniture or walking on the dinner table), you'll have to think like a cat to get results. You'll get no response from your cat if you reprimand him for something he did hours ago. Also, cats are social animals, and briefly "shunning" or isolating your cat from the rest of the household will get better results than yelling. A cat should never be reprimanded physically with swatting or hitting. Not only do they not understand this type of reprimand, it can quickly break the bond of trust and lead to even more bad behavior.
No one’s really sure why kittens love to play so much. Some scientists believe that young animals play to improve their co-ordination and prepare themselves for adult life. Young lions, for example, will chase their tails or other moving objects to develop their predatory skills.
Cats are often infected with roundworms. Hookworm and roundworm infection may lead to a distended belly, and can result in poor growth, vomiting, diarrhea and chronic intestinal diseases.
Cat influenza can be a severely debilitating disease, and may be fatal in some cases. The vaccines currently available are very effective against these diseases -- but remember that your cat needs annual booster injections to keep her protected throughout her life.
Choosing the right veterinarian is an important first step when you bring your new kitten home. Ask your breeder or friends to recommend the vet that's right for you and your new companion.
A five-point home health check, every month, can help you detect signs of poor health in your cat. Regular trips to the vet are always recommended. Using this guide, you may be able to more easily spot problems, which require veterinary attention so your cat can get treatment before anything serious develops. Whenever anything does not seem normal, take your cat to the vet.
The key to training a kitten is using positive reinforcement—rewarding her when she’s done well.
Caring for your kitten goes beyond just cuddling and feeding her. Regular grooming can nurture the relationship between you and help keep your kitten looking lovely .
Kittens are different and have specific nutritional needs compared to grown cats. Make sure your new little friend gets the best start in life with these feeding guidelines.
Welcoming the newest member of your family into your home is an exciting time. To make sure that your kitten finds her new surroundings comfortable, follow a few basic kitten care essentials.
Unless you’re planning on breeding your cat, it makes sense to have your kitten neutered.
A kitten will react to having fleas by scratching, licking and biting herself excessively. Check her coat for dark flecks—flea dirt—or the fleas themselves.
Protecting your kitten from disease is an essential part of her early health care. Until she has have been vaccinated, she should remain indoors. Vaccinations require an initial round of injections, along with booster shots throughout her life.
Every kitten needs a vet. The greatest supporter of your kitten’s health is her veterinarian, so make sure you’ve registered with a clinic.