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Before you bring your cat or kitten home, we suggest you contact your local council and enquire about its regulations for the number of cats you can own on your property, night curfews, compulsory containment within a property, desexing and microchipping.
We strongly recommend a scratching post or two for your cat to keep their claws in good condition for climbing and defending themselves if necessary. They can also reduce the chances of your furniture being scratched.
Give your cat a nice, comfortable bed in a quiet location. This will make them feel safe and encourage contentment sleeping inside overnight from an early age.
All cats need to exercise. Cats naturally like climbing and perching themselves up high such as in trees and on fences and windowledges, so provide them with good opportunities if they access the outdoors. Indoor cats will use furniture to climb and perch. So a scratching post or indoor cat gym will give an indoor cat an effective alternative. Higher perching locations such as access to windowsills will also enrich your cat’s environment.
Cats like to be clean at all times. They can be toilet trained easily, if a litter tray filled with dry earth, sand or cat litter is available. Always keep litter trays clean. Remove faeces daily and change the litter itself frequently. Ensure the litter tray is placed in a quiet and private location, away from pet food bowls. Multiple trays are advisable if you have more than one pet cat. A good rule of thumb is one tray for each cat plus one extra.
Most cats require grooming assistance from their owners to remove excess hair. This helps to reduce furballs/hairballs and matted or tangled fur which, if left, may result in a visit to us. Except at moulting time, short-haired cats are able to groom themselves adequately. In contrast, long-haired cats require daily grooming by their owners all year round. Furballs or hairballs can cause appetite and weight loss, and in a worst-case scenario result in surgery. During the moulting season brush your cat daily. Food designed specifically to reduce hairballs will also help your cat process shed hair. Unlike dogs, you should not need to bathe a cat regularly.
Most cats are grazers, so we recommend feeding small amounts often. They require a high protein and fat diet. There are many formulations of cat food available. We recommend discussing your cat’s individual nutritional needs with us to choose the most suitable formula.
Ensure a fresh water bowl is accessible at all times, especially if your cat has a dry food diet.
Whilst many cats love to drink cow’s milk it’s not recommended, as they can be lactose intolerant and experience stomach upsets.
Cats require a minimum of one health check a year. Regular visits help us diagnose, treat or even prevent health problems before they become life-threatening. Routine vaccinations, worming and flea control form the basics of feline medical care. We can also provide additional guidance on nutrition, behaviour, training and life-stage treatments.
