CAT CARE
Food and Nutrition
Young kittens by the time you get him, say by 10-12 weeks should be fully weaned.
Give your kitten milk for some more time to meet calcium needs till he settles
on a balanced good quality diet. As he grows older his ability to digest lactose
decreases so reduce its milky feeds or he may suffer from diarrhoea. Kittens
have small stomachs and they will be able to eat only a little at a time. So
daily intake should be split into a number of small but frequent meals. Two or three meals a day at set intervals is a good
pattern. By
six months, they should settle on two meals per day morning and evening entirely
on solid foods. The amount they need will vary individually with each kitten.
Feeding according to demand should be the rule.
A cat can be fed a maintenance or adult diet once it is 10 months to one year of
age. An adult cat with normal activity requires only a maintenance diet- enough
to maintain a good body condition. A
healthy cats body condition is one in which the animal is well proportioned with an observable waist behind the ribcage, and ribs
which are not clearly visible but that can be felt with a slight fat covering over them.
Cats require a higher level of dietary protein in their food-about twice as much as
dogs- and at least one-third of their diet should consist of animal protein.
They require the addition of taurine to their diet. A
good diet is rich in fat, which the cat's digestive system is equipped to
cope with easily. Commercially prepared cat foods are available from shops
as dry food, moist (canned) food and semi- moist food. Dry food is easier to serve and won't spoil if left out for the day. It's also considerably cheaper. Also
these foods exercise the cat's teeth and gums. Be sure to choose age specific
food for your growing or adult cat. You could feed your kitten commercially
prepared food with small amounts of other fresh foods like cooked meat, fish and
eggs, cheese, liver (raw or cooked) in small amounts etc. Adequate supply
of clean water at all times is essential for your cats survival. A typical
cat requires about 150-200ml of water a day. Moist or canned foods usually
contain about 60- 85% water, so cats on a canned food diet require less water
but those on a dry food diet will require to drink more.
You have to make a decision whether you are going to confine your kitten indoors
or allow him outside at about eight to nine months of age. It depends upon the
type and temperament, some long haired breeds like Persians may be suited well
for indoor living while other more active and independent breeds may become
frustrated by indoor confinement. But kittens or older cats allowed outside
should always come indoors to sleep, eat etc. In the initial stages, one can
entice them indoors with food such as fish until it is established that home is
where the food is.
Grooming
Although cats clean themselves, regular grooming is necessary for keeping his
coat in top condition. Moreover its a time together for you and your pet which improves your bonding. Comb
him lightly and remove any tangles by slightly dampening the hair. Brush with a
bristle brush slowly and gently all over his entire coat working down the body
towards the tail and down the hind legs, to remove dirt and pull out any loose
hairs. Finish off by wiping around his eyes and the insides of his ear flaps
with either face wipes or cotton dipped in water. If there is any stain on the
coat, pat some cooking oil over it and wipe clean with a little spirit. Stand
him on a paper while grooming and hold him gently with one hand. The earlier age
you start grooming your kitten, the better, as they will get adjusted to the
routine soon. To start with an older cat may be more difficult and you may need
more patience and gentleness with them. For short haired cats, once a week grooming
is sufficient while for longed haired ones a more frequent, say once in three
days is required. Bathe your kitten only when absolutely needed.
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