Cat Care

Fun Facts

• Cats were considered sacred to the ancient people in China and Egypt.
• Cats can run up to 30 miles per hour for short distances.
• Cats do not have a rigid collarbone like many mammals. This is why they are able to squeeze through small spaces.
• Cats can see much better than people in low light.

Breeds
Domestic cats have been companions to humans for at least 3,500 years.   There are many different breeds of domestic cats, from long-haired Main Coons to hairless Sphinx.  PAWS or your local shelter has a wide variety of breeds available for adoption. If you are thinking of bringing a Companion animal into your family, read Who is the Best Pet for You?

Lifespan
Cats who live indoors are much safer than cats who go outside.  If an indoor cat is cared for responsibly her or she can live to be 20 years or older!

Cats who live outdoors are exposed to many dangers including diseases, mean people and attacks from other animals.  A cat who goes outside may only live to be 2 or 3 years old.

By making sure cats have good food, regular veterinary care, a loving family and shelter, they will live longer, healthier lives.

Identification
A cat can't ask for help back home if he gets out of the house alone or is lost. That is why it's so important for cats to wear identification.  A cat should wear a safe collar with three tags: a city pet license tag, a rabies vaccination tag and a personal tag.  The personal tag should have at least your family's name and phone numbers on it.

Spay & Neuter
Spay and neuter are the names of simple surgeries that prevent cats from having babies. Spay is the surgery for girls and neuter is the surgery for boys. Cats are put under anesthesia so they don't feel any pain, just like people are during surgery.

Having your cat spayed or neutered provides many benefits.  It reduces the risk of some types of infection and cancer.  It helps reduce companion animal overpopulation.  It also helps with Behavior issues like cats who go to the bathroom outside the litter box.  Animals who have been spayed or neutered are also less likely to bite people.

Food
Cats need twice as much protein as dogs.  Just like you, cats need good food to grow and stay healthy. Cats need twice as much protein as dogs. High quality cat foods can be found at pet supply stores.  It's best to feed cats wet food, or a mixture of wet and dry food. Adult cats should be fed twice per day and kittens need to be fed more often. 

Do not give the following foods to cats:

• Tuna or other fish. Fish is high in ash and low in vitamin E. Giving cats too much fish or canned tuna can lead to health problems.
• Dog Food. Cats need a special nutrient called Taurine for the eyes and heart to work well. This nutrient is not found in dog food, so it is important to feed your cat food that is made for them.

Water
Cats are very sensitive about their water.  They should have access to fresh water at all times.  Cat water bowls should be changed at least once per day or have a circulating water fountain that keeps the water clean.  Moving the water bowl away from the food bowl and litter box will also help it stay clean.  Cats often don't drink enough water so giving them high-quality canned food will help them get enough moisture.

Shelter
Even cats that live inside all the time need a special place of their own.  Cats like shelves where they can look out the window or high places where they can keep an eye on the household.  Some cats also like soft blankets and beds. 

Play & Exercise
One of the most important things you can do for your cat is play with her everyday.  Always remember to play gently and not scare the cat.  Cats usually feel safer if all four of their paws are on the ground.  If your cat is comfortable being picked up, remember to hold her gently and support her whole body, especially her back legs. When you are done holding her, gently place all four paws back on the ground. Do not try to pick up cats you don't know.

Toys help cats stay busy while their people are at work or school.  Playing with toys is also good exercise. Pet supply stores have lots of Cruelty-free toys to choose from (like those that don't use feathers, or fur from other animals), or you can make your own!

Grooming & Cleaning
Most cats are very good at grooming or keeping themselves clean.  Brushing your cat will help him look his best, avoid hairballs and keep your long-haired cat from getting painful knots in his fur.  Your cat also needs help keeping his nails trimmed and teeth clean.  

Health
Cats should get a check-up from their Veterinarian at least once a year. If your cat is acting unusual or you think he may have eaten something dangerous, have your parent or guardian call the veterinarian right away.

If you know a cat who is being treated badly or hurt, he needs your help.  Visit the Report Animal Abuse page to learn how to help him.

Household Hazards
Many common things found in your house can be very dangerous to cats.  For example, household cleaners, slug bait and antifreeze are all poisonous to cats.  Cats can choke or get an upset stomach from chewing on, or eating these things: decorations, string, electric cords, plastic, rocks and sticks. Candle flames can also make cats very curious, but can burn their fur and whiskers

Behavior
Understanding your cat will make her a happier, more fun companion.  You can learn about cat behavior by quietly observing cats and reading about them.  If your family lives in Western Washington and needs help with your cat's behavior, PAWS' Behavior helpline may be able to help.

Scratching
Cats need to scratch.  Scratching helps the nails grow and helps a cat defend herself and mark her territory.  It feels good to cats and it's good for their bodies when they can use their muscles to stretch, claw, and knead.  Give cats a tall, sturdy scratching post and cardboard scratching boxes to keep them happy. You may have try different kinds of surfaces to figure out what your cat prefers. It might be carpet or cardboard.

Some people declaw cats so they can't hurt furniture or people, but this can cause other problems. Find out more about why declawing cats is a bad idea.

Litter Box
Many cats are brought to shelters because they don't go to the bathroom in their litter box.  These tips will help avoid litter box problems before they start: 

The box
Cats should always have a clean litter box.  There should be one litter box per cat in the house.  If the house is big or tall, there should be more boxes. The litter box should be big enough for the cat to turn around in, and easy for him to step into. 

Location
The litter box should be easy for the cat to reach when she has to go.  The litter box should be in a place that is quiet where the cat will not be bothered while going to the bathroom. For example, putting a litter box by a noisy washer or dryer might scare the cat from using the box. The litter box should also be away from the cat's food and water dishes.

Want to know more?
More information about responsible companion animal care can be found on the PAWS main website.