Caring for your Cat

A playfull cat is a happy cat.

Who'd guess Tigger will be 12 years old next month?

Always ensure your cat is safe from being chased by dogs and cars driving into the yard

It’s been a while since I posted on my label, Soap Box Chronicles. Yesterday I came across a pamphlet from a leading supermarket. It had salient points on how to look after your cat and/or dogs and what the responsibilities of a pet owner entail.

Pets form an important part of our lives. They are totally dependent on our care and love and cannot fend for themselves. It is therefore, every pet owner’s responsibility to ensure their pets are happy and healthy.

Teach your children to be gentle with animals. My 6 yo granddaughter is as crazy as her grandmother about animals in general and cats in particular. Whenever she visits, she plays with Chip as if she is a doll. She cuddles her, sings to her and wraps her in crochet clothes, dishtowels and scarves. Chip who turns 10 this year, revels in all the attention.

My cats love the outdoors. They're always beside me when I'm in the garden
Give your cat pellets designed for a cat. If you have multiple cats (like I do) have a seperate bowl for each one
Clarice, who is a rescue cat, has crept into our home and hearts

Cats

These furry felines need lots of love and will repay you for your love by being a good friend.

How to care for your cat:

Non-spayed or non-castrated cats are likely to stray and fight. All cats should be sterilized.

If cats are kept in at night, always provide a litter tray.

Give your cat regular meals of canned cat food; provide a bowl of cat pellets as well as plenty of clean drinking water.

Do not allow your cat to eat out of dirt bins/garbage cans and never give him chicken or fish bones.

Do not feed your cat dog food or table scraps.

Do not tie ribbons around your cat’s neck. It may get caught in a tree or bush and injure the cat.

If you want to use a collar, make sure it is one with an elastic insert, so that it can pull free if caught.

Add an identification plate on the collar with your address and phone number should your cat be found by strangers.

Cats should be brushed often, especially if they’re fluffy. Fur balls can form in your cat’s stomach is the loose fur is not brushed off regularly.

Kittens are cute to look at and cuddly to hold, but many cannot find good homes. Therefore, wherever possible, ensure your female cat (queen) is spayed at 6 months.

Take your kitten to the SPCA or vet at 8 months for its vaccinations and deworming. Cats become very ill if they’re not dewormed and vaccinated.

If your cat scratches a lot of rubs his head against the floor, he may have an irritation in the ear. Take him to the vet to be checked for ticks or other ailments.

Above all, speak to your cat, give him lots of love and strokes and play with him often.

Next week I’ll post about “Caring for your dog”.

Source: (Partly used and paraphrased) Checkers Consumer Sense