Furbabies
Cat Care Site

Basic Equipment

Cat Bed

Beds come in many shapes and sizes. Make sure they can be easily cleaned - machine washable bedding is best. The bed should be placed in a warm draught-free area.

Cat Carrier/Carry Cage

Essential for car journeys such as visits to the vet or travelling to cat shows. Carriers should be well ventilated and have a strong door. Avoid cardboard carriers or boxes - they are dark and unhygienic and will not last very long.

Collar

Outdoor cats should wear a collar at all times. The collar should have a name and address in case the cat goes missing. The collar should have an elasticized insert which stops the cat choking if it is snagged. When fitted to the cat, you should be able to fit only two fingers between the collar and the cats neck. If the collar is more loose than this it can easily get caught on tree branches and be dangerous to the cat. Growing kittens should be monitored regularly to ensure that their collar does not get too tight around their necks.

Food And Water Bowls

Each cat should have his/her own dish which should be kept clean. Fresh water must always be available, especially if cats and kittens are fed dry food. Glass or ceramic dishes are much better than plastic. Plastic has been known to cause mouth ulcers and allergic reactions, especially in Persians. Make sure the food and water dishes are not located near the litter box. If your longhaired cat is soaking its bib/ruff in its water dish, try using a smaller bowl.

Grooming Tools

Brushes and combs. If you have a pedigree cat or kitten, ask the breeder which brushes or combs are best to use on your cat.

Litter Box

You should provide one litter box per cat. If you have a multi-level house, you should ideally have a litter box on each level. A litter tray with high sides will reduce the amount of litter tracked through the house. Enclosed litter trays (hooded pans) can allow ammonia to build up inside and the cat may refuse to use it. Use a litter scoop to removed soiled litter daily. Kittens often won't use the litter box if it is dirty. Empty the litter out and wash the litter box once a week using soap and water. Make sure the litter box is rinsed well after cleaning.

Kitty Litter

There are many kinds of commercial kitty litter available (paper pellets, sand, sawdust, clay). Choose a litter with low dust and one that is not too highly perfumed. Avoid clumping litter because it can cause intestinal blockages in kittens that ingest it. Use two to three inches of litter in the bottom of the litter box.

Scratching Post

To prevent your furniture being excessively marked with claws, supply your cat or kitten with a scratching post. Scratching posts range from a simple pole covered with sisal rope or carpet to elaborate cat towers with tunnels, shelves and houses. Don't replace the covering material when it is worn - the cat likes the way it has styled it. Ensure the scratching post is stable. The scratching post should be tall enough for the cat to stretch out as it scratches.

Toys

Several different cat toys can be purchased at pet stores. Avoid small rubber toys as they can cause choking. Choose toys that are too large to be swallowed but light enough for the kitten to bat around. Ping-pong balls are ideal. Be careful with feather toys - they can poke the kitten in the eye. It is best to rotate the cat toys - only leave a few out at a time and change them weekly - the cat or kitten is less likely to get bored. Do not leave your kitten alone with string or thread - it can be disastrous if swallowed.

References

Page S, The Complete Cat Owners Manual, Australia: Readers Digest, 1997

Taylor D, The Ultimate Cat Book, Great Britain: Dorling Kindersley, 1989

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