Three facts you should know about cats
Would you like to bring a feline companion into your home? These are three things about cats that cat owners should be aware of.
Maintenance and feeding
Cats should be taken to a vet at least once a year for an eye, tooth, and ear checkup, as well as yearly immunizations based on their age and state of health.
A veterinarian can evaluate your new cat or kitten's nutrition to identify the best option of food brand. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, age, activity level, and health all influence what and how much a cat should eat.
The most frequent operations done on pets to avoid overpopulation are spaying and neutering. The ASPCA advises that female cats be spayed and male cats be neutered by the age of five months.
Cats should be kept inside since they are more likely to be hit by a vehicle, get into fights with other cats and animals, or have flea and tick infestations if they are left outside.
Personal grooming
Most cats are reasonably clean, but brushing or combing on a regular basis is advised to help lower skin flakes and shedding, eliminate hairballs, and improve overall skin condition. A veterinarian should be consulted to rule out any underlying health issues if there are bald patches or a considerable loss of hair.
Scratching
Cats, according to the ASPCA, need scratching. Why? As a cat scratches, the old outer nail sheath is torn off, exposing the sharp, smooth claws underneath. Scratching also allows cats to stretch their muscles. To that purpose, cats should be given a scratching post or a scratching mat that is at least three feet high and solid enough not to wobble while in use.
