Being
a purr-ent requires round-the-clock commitment. If you are a first-time
cat owner, you must have been spending most of your time on the internet,
trying to learn all the basics. That sounds like a lot of work so to make it
easier for you, we rounded up some of the best tips so you can better take care
of your feline babies.
GIVE
THEM A “SAFE SPACE”
The
first few days are very critical as this will pretty much dictate how fast they
can acclimatize in their new home. For kittens, you have to put them in a
separate room or a dedicated area as they may get lost or hurt themselves while
exploring. If you are taking in older cats, make sure that you put them away
from dangerous things and other pets—the term “scaredy cat” was coined for a
reason so trying to keep the surrounding safe and quiet would likely help them
adjust faster. Also, make sure that if you are in the presence of kids, they won’t
immediately rush towards their newfound friends as this can be overwhelming for
cats and may eventually scare them off.
TAKE
THINGS GRADUALLY—ESPECIALLY WITH FOOD
Cats
are naturally finicky and this may especially apply when it comes to food. If
you have recently discovered a new food and have noticed that your cat is just
passing by their bowl or worse, having irregular bowel movements, their new diet
must be the culprit. When changing your cat’s food, whether from dry to wet,
introducing a new brand or making homemade meals, do it gradually. Mix the new
food with the old one to give your cats sufficient time to adjust.
KEEP
LITTER BOXES CLEAN
Because
of their natural survival instincts carried down from their ancestors, cats can
be very particular when it comes to cleanliness. This is the reason why you
should keep their litter box clean at all times. If you have more than one cat,
secure one litter box per cat so they have plenty of areas to eliminate. The
dirtier their litter box is, the more chances of them holding in their feces or
urine which can later on cause bladder issues and more.
TAKE
REGULAR VISITS TO THE VET
As much as you’d like to take things in your own hands, getting professional help is always the best option. Once you notice that your cat is not eating or there is any change in their normal behavior, take a trip to the vet for proper diagnosis and necessary intervention.
ALWAYS
PROVIDE FRESH WATER
Most
domesticated cats don’t drink enough water which makes them prone to urinary
track infection and other kidney issues. Two of the top reasons include their
lack of interest in stagnant water and their sensitive sense of smell, making
them refuse drinking contaminated water of from contaminated bowls. To address
this, you may have to bring home a pet fountain as running water will encourage
them to drink more and keep their drinking water fresh.
The
Cherry Pet Smart Pet Fountain is one of the most ideal options available
in the market. If you don’t spend much time at home ergo, cannot change your
cat’s water as often as possible, this smart pet fountain features 3-stage
filtration system, water purity detection, and UVC light to kill water germs
and bacteria. You can also control this remotely via the Cherry Home app which
may be downloaded for free on your Android or iOS smartphone. It also
highlights a 2L capacity so you can leave your home without worrying about refills.
Definitely a smart pet product for the smart furparent like you. Get
this for only P4,400 by visiting:
Cherry
Shop PH: www.cherryshop.com.ph
