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Caring for the Scottish Fold & British Shorthair - cats & kittens
Cat Care 101: A Guide for New Cat Owners
Here is everything you need to know about raising your new Scottish Fold or British Shorthair cat or kitten if you are a first-time pet parent!
Adopting Your First British Shorthair or Scottish Fold
If you are a new cat or kitten owner, you probably have many questions about caring for your new friend. As you may already know or will soon find out, cats are so many things: fun, playful, independent, loving, curious, smart, and often very entertaining. Since you’re online seeking information about cat care, your pet is lucky to have a caring owner.
Cats are easy pets to care for and are relatively low maintenance. Once you’re familiar with the basics of feeding, litter boxes, grooming, general health, and safety, all you have to do is love and enjoy your cat.
15 Tips for First-Time Cat Owners
1. Feed your cat healthy food.
2. Food dishes and water bowls.
3. Have a litter box ready.
4. Brush your cat regularly.
5. Trimming your cat’s claws.
6. Enjoy playtime!
7. Invest in a scratching post or scratcher.
8. A place to sleep & nap.
9. Have treats on hand.
10. Purchase a cat carrier.
11. Brush your cat’s teeth.
12. Find a good veterinarian.
13. Teach children how to treat your cat.
14. Pet poison control hotline
15. Keep your cat enclosed.
1. FEED YOUR CAT HEALTHY FOOD
The food you choose has a big impact on your cat’s overall health, so you’ll want to make sure you’re feeding him or her something nutritious. Cats should eat cat food to be healthy. Dog food or even a can of tuna doesn’t provide complete nutrition. If you adopt a kitten or a cat with health issues, or if your cat is overweight, underweight, or a senior, it’s best to let your breeder or veterinarian help you select the right food.
2. Food dishes and water bowls.
For food and water, stainless steel and ceramic dishes and bowls are ideal. Unlike plastic, they don’t hold odors and are easy to thoroughly clean. It’s a good idea to have more than one dish and bowl so you always have a clean one available.3. Have a litter box ready.
You’ll need at least one litter box for each cat you have. My cats like the standard open-style boxes with high sides. Covered boxes can trap odors or make some cats feel confined. Whatever type of box you choose, make sure it’s large enough. Smaller boxes are fine for kittens, but cats over 10 or 11 pounds may find a regular-size box too small. Choose an extra-large one if needed.4. Brush your cat regularly.
Brushing is easy and doesn’t take too much time. Most cats enjoy being brushed because it relaxes them. Regular brushing removes dead hair, dirt, and helps keep the skin healthy. Equally important, it is a bonding experience for both of you.5.Trimming your cat’s claws.
You’ll need a small pair of cat scissors to trim your cat’s claws. Trimming is important to keep claws from getting too long, sharp, broken, or frayed. Long claws can cause your pet to accidentally scratch you when you’re holding him or her, or snag your clothing or furniture. Trimming claws twice a month is usually enough.6. Enjoy playtime!
Cats and kittens love their playtime, so get a few types of toys to keep them entertained. Cats can have specific toy preferences, so if you get one he doesn’t like, keep trying until you find something he does. If your cat is lazy and needs some encouragement to get moving, try a long wand with feathers or strings on the end of a string, which mimic a bird in flight when you swing it around. Even the laziest cat usually can’t resist taking some swats at it or chasing it around.7. Invest in a scratching post or scratcher.
To prevent claw marks on your furniture, place a scratcher in a few places around the home. These could be scratching posts, scratching pads, or a corrugated cardboard scratcher. They don’t have to be fancy. Cats love scratching on anything made out of material that allows them to sharpen their nails. Even the corrugated cardboard scratcher is great and this type of scratcher is very inexpensive. You can also buy a small container of dried catnip to sprinkle on the scratcher to attract your cat. Whenever he uses the scratcher, praise him so he learns to use the scratcher and not the corners of your couch. The more scratcher varieties the better!8. A place to sleep & nap.
Most cats sleep a lot during the day, so give yours a comfortable place to rest. This could be a cozy cat bed or just a soft blanket of his own. Some prefer sunny, warm spots to sleep; others want to hide away in someplace dark and private. Notice where your pet sleeps most often and put the bed in that area. The BEST place is a cat tree, the taller, the better! Cats love to be up high and most cat trees come with sleeping platforms, hammocks, and cubbies. They also serve as a scratching post!
9. Have treats on hand.
It’s good to keep a bag of treats around to reward your cat. Look for these wherever you buy cat food. There are many flavors to choose from: chicken, fish, beef, cheese, salmon, tartar control, and even catnip. Cat Grass Many cats love fresh cat grass. This can be found at some pet or health food stores, or you can purchase a kit and grow it yourself. It takes just a few days to grow, and it’s fun watching your pet enjoy it.
10. Purchase a cat carrier.
Carriers are essential for vet visits, travel, or in case you ever need to leave your home in an emergency. They come in many sizes and price ranges. Look for one that gives your cat enough room to fit comfortably with some room on each side to move around. For large cats, find a large or extra-large carrier or a dog carrier.
11. Brush your cat’s teeth.
It may seem strange to brush a cat’s teeth, but it’s something you should do to prevent all sorts of health problems caused by poor dental health. This is primarily caused by the domestic cat diet. Bad teeth, plaque, and gingivitis can cause bacteria in the mouth that can affect major organs such as the liver, kidneys, and heart, causing serious health problems. If you start brushing from the start, you can prevent these problems. All you need is a cat toothbrush kit, available in pet stores or your vet’s office. You can also ask your vet about a drinking water additive that helps prevent plaque formation. Cat toothbrush kits usually include a rubber brush that looks like a thimble, a small toothbrush, and an enzymatic toothpaste. It might take some time for both you and your cat to get used to teeth brushing, but after a little practice, it’ll get easier.
12. Find a good veterinarian.
If you don’t already have a veterinarian for other pets, talk with people you know for suggestions of good vets in your area. You may want to meet the vet first to make sure they have good credentials, are competent, knowledgeable, and charge reasonable prices. Also, look for someone near your home and easy to get to in case of an emergency. Your vet will advise you about how often your cat or kitten needs to be seen for check-ups and vaccinations. When you do go to the vet, bring a list of any questions you have about your pet and its health. Your vet is a valuable ally in keeping your new friend healthy. As long as they’re well cared for, felines can live long, healthy lives. A nutritious diet and regular veterinary care can prevent many health problems. Monitor Your Cat Closely Cats can be very good at hiding signs of illness, so watch for any changes in their eating, drinking, litter box habits, or activity level. Ask your vet about any concerns to be safe.
13. Teach children how to treat your cat.
If you have young children in the home, teach them how to treat your cat with care and respect. Some children may not know that they shouldn’t pull a cat’s tail or play with it too roughly. Teach them how to gently pet the cat and to give it its space when it’s eating or resting.
14. Pet poison control hotline.
If your cat ever eats or drinks something that might be harmful, immediately contact your vet or the ASPCA’s 24-hour/365 day-a-year Pet Poison Control Hotline at 1-888-426-4435 (in the USA). There is a fee for this service, but if your vet isn’t available, this hotline could save your cat’s life.15. Keep your cat enclosed.
In general, indoor-only cats live longer and healthier lives. Cats that live primarily outdoors or both indoors and outdoors are subjected to risks like diseases from other cats or wild animals, vehicle traffic, dog or wild animal attacks, or getting lost or stolen. Now you can purchase outdoor enclosures from small pop-up tents that could fit on a small deck, to elaborate setups with ramps allowing for sunshine access – some can even be attached to a window and allow your cat an amazing indoor/outdoor life that is rich AND very safe!