6 cat care tips
Tip 1: The feeding station
It is best to use stainless steel or ceramic bowls as they are safe, easy to clean and leave no stains. Place the water and food bowls as far away from the litter box as possible and adjust the height and angle so that your cat's cervical spine is not put under unnecessary strain. Provide fresh food and water daily and clean the bowls thoroughly every 2 to 3 days.
Tip 2: The litter box
Clean the litter box every morning and evening by removing the excrement. Ensure that the spreading thickness is always 5 to 8 cm. At least every two weeks, the litter box should be cleaned thoroughly with a brush and disinfectant, rinsed with water and dried and filled with fresh cat litter. If possible, use bentonite cat litter that is environmentally friendly and has low dust generation and good agglomeration. Extra tip: A closed litter box provides better odor isolation and more protection from contamination than an open litter box.
Tip 3: Grooming
Regardless of whether they have short or long hair, every cat still needs some human support when it comes to grooming. By brushing the fur, you prevent your cat from swallowing too much hair when washing the cat and having to choke it out again as hairballs. When grooming, you can also playfully check your cat for parasites, small injuries or other abnormalities.
A slicker brush is suitable for combing short-haired cats, as this picks up the loose undercoat and frees your cat from dander. If you then care for your cat's coat with a massage brush made of natural hair, thicker loose hair will also be picked up and you will reward your cat for its patience with this massage unit. You should set aside time for grooming together once a week and brush your cat several times a week during the spring and fall moult.
When it comes to grooming, long-haired cats are a little more demanding than their short-haired counterparts, because their fur tends to develop knots and burrs more quickly. To prevent this, you should comb through your long-haired tiger's fur several times a week at any time of year with a metal comb with rounded tips. Pay particular attention to the areas behind the ears and on the neck, because nodules form there very quickly. Afterwards, the fur of your long-haired cat should be freed from excess hair with a plucking brush and massage brush.
Tip 4: Claw care
Cats usually take care of their sharp claws themselves. Outdoor cats like to clip their claws on tree bark and indoor cats can let off steam on a scratching post. But as soon as the kitties get older and less mobile, mum or dad sometimes has to help out. To prevent the claws from growing in, you should check the length regularly. If they need to be shortened, get suitable nail scissors or clippers from a specialist dealer. In order not to injure your velvet paw, make sure when cutting that you start behind the dark claw leg with the cut. If your cat resists so much that you cannot safely do the claw care yourself, it is better to leave this part of the cat care to a veterinarian.
Tip 5: The scratch board
Cats sharpen their claws to keep their claws in sharp condition while making a mark at the point. If you don't want to damage sofas, cupboards, beds, curtains or wallpaper, it is essential to prepare a sisal scratcher so that the cat can act out its instincts.
Tip 6: The transport box
Most cats experience anxiety when going out and in unfamiliar surroundings. In order to make transporting your cat as stress-free and pleasant as possible, pay attention to the following aspects when choosing the cat bag:
- high-quality material with no annoying smell
- non-transparent all-inclusive design with a breathable mesh window
- large opening with clasp on top for easy access
- solid base with high load-bearing capacity, if possible removable for easy cleaning
- enough space for the cat to lie down and turn around
- Handles and shoulder straps for variable carrying