Caring for your cat - Cats Protection
Cats are one of the most popular pets in the UK and rightly so – they make a wonderful addition to any household! This guide offers some of the basic principles of cat care. If you are
thinking about having more than one cat, then please look at Cats Protection’s Essential Guide: Cats living together.
Cats can be independent and are considered the ideal pet for people with busy lifestyles, but they still need to be looked after. You should be prepared to spend time playing with and grooming your cat, as well as being a companion to them. By following the advice in this leaflet, you can do your best to ensure you have a happy and healthy cat.
Food
Cats should be fed a complete, balanced, good quality meat-based food; they cannot be vegetarians. There is a multitude of different brands of cat food on the market, but there are two main types to choose from; wet and dry.
Fresh wet food should be replaced at least twice daily and dry food at least once daily. Do follow the manufacturer’s instructions and recommended amounts. Once neutered, cats
typically have reduced energy needs, so consider reducing their daily amount accordingly.
Food should be placed in an area where the cat feels safe and away from their water bowl and litter tray. If your cat eats dry food, using feeding balls to give some, or all, of your cat’s daily food ration, can help to lessen boredom and provides some exercise.
When adopting a cat, you should initially follow the diet that your cat has been fed previously. Before you take them home, and out what they have been eating and at what times. If you do wish to change your cat’s food, it is important to introduce the new food very gradually over a week or more to avoid an upset stomach.
It is best not to feed your cat cow’s milk as some cats can not tolerate the lactose in it – always have a supply of freshwater available.
More information about feeding cats and kittens, including what to do if your cat stops eating, is available in Cats Protection’s Essential Guides: Feeding and obesity and Caring for your kitten.
Water
Cats generally don’t need to drink lots every day. However, always ensure fresh, clean drinking water is available at all times. This is best placed away from their food, as cats generally prefer not to eat and drink in the same place.
More information about water and drinking is available in Cats Protection’s Essential Guide: Feeding and obesity.
Play
Cats that have free access to the outdoors will often engage in hunting activity, including playing with fallen leaves or grass blowing in the wind if there is no access to prey. The drive to hunt is not triggered by hunger. Each part of the hunting activity – the stalk, pounce, play and kill – releases feel-good hormones called endorphins. Our pet cats must be given frequent opportunities to play to keep them mentally stimulated.
Keeping your cat amused with toys can help to keep them happy, provide good exercise and strengthen your bond with your cat.
Toys don’t have to be expensive. A cardboard box with holes cut into it provides a fun hiding place. Even a ball of tin foil makes a perfectly adequate toy, as long as the cat can’t swallow it.
Play is more fun if you get involved too – you could use fishing rod toys with feathers on a string to mimic their prey! Allow them to catch and ‘kill’ the toy periodically to avoid frustration.
Older cats will love playing three or four times a day, while younger cats will be happy to play ten times a day or more.
Very short games of one to two minutes are fine. Swap toys around regularly to keep them interesting but don’t leave your cat unattended with toys which could be shredded and eaten or cause entanglement. Check toys regularly for signs of wear, replacing them when appropriate.