The best ways to care for cats and truly nurture these beloved creatures go far beyond simply providing dry food. It's a comprehensive commitment to ensuring their physical and mental well-being throughout all stages of their lives.
Achieving the highest levels of care requires a thorough understanding of three key pillars: preventative healthcare, optimal nutrition, and a stimulating environment. Neglecting any of these aspects can lead to avoidable health or behavioral problems.
Therefore, this article will provide you with a comprehensive and detailed guide to the best ways to care for your cat, from maintaining vaccination schedules and treating parasites to building a safe and loving home environment. Our goal is to empower you to give your cat a long, healthy, happy, and active life.
The best ways to care for cats in general:
To keep your cat healthy and happy, you should focus on the following aspects:
Proper nutrition:
Provide a balanced, complete, and protein-rich diet, appropriate for the cat's age and health condition (kidneys, adult, neutered).
Hygiene and the environment:
- Litter box: It should be cleaned daily and the litter completely changed regularly, ensuring there is a litter box for each cat. Seven Bird enclosed cat litter box in various colors, 61x47x45
- Personal hygiene: Regularly clean and brush the fur to remove dead hair and prevent matting. Seven Bird 4-in-1 Cleaning, Massage, and Hair Removal Comb for Dogs and Cats
- Comfort: Providing a quiet, clean, and comfortable sleeping space. Seven Bird Cat Bed and House
Preventive care:
Trim nails regularly and check ears and eyes periodically to ensure there are no abnormal discharges. Seven Bird nail clippers for cats and dogs.
Basic and preventative cat vaccinations:
Vaccinations are essential to protect cats from serious viral and bacterial diseases. Always consult your veterinarian to determine the most suitable vaccination schedule for your cat.
One of the best ways to care for cats and one of the most important steps to maintain a healthy and sound cat life is to know the basic vaccinations that it needs and to follow up on its vaccinations with the veterinarian.
Types of cat vaccinations according to age:
Triple/quadruple vaccination:
It starts from 6-9 weeks of age.
It protects against herpesvirus, calicivirus, and panleukopenia virus (plague equivalent).
Rabies vaccination:
It is usually given at 3-4 months of age.
Mandatory in many countries and important for the protection of the cat and the family, it is renewed annually.
Antiparasitic drugs (for worms and insects):
It starts from 45 days old.
These are doses given periodically (every two months) for the prevention of internal worms and external parasites.
Why are cat vaccinations necessary?
Prevention of deadly diseases:
The primary goal of vaccination is to stimulate your cat's immune system to produce antibodies to fight disease-causing viruses and bacteria. These vaccinations protect against diseases for which there is no specific treatment and which are often fatal, such as:
- Feline distemper: A highly contagious and fatal viral disease that causes vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and dehydration.
- Viral bronchitis: causes severe sneezing, discharge from the eyes and nose, and corneal ulcers.
- Calicivirus: causes sores in the mouth and tongue, sneezing, and pneumonia.
- Rabies: A 100% fatal viral disease that affects all mammals, including humans. Rabies vaccination is legally mandatory in most countries.
Protecting domestic cats only:
Many people believe that cats that don't go outside don't need vaccinations, but this is a common misconception. Viruses can be transmitted to them through:
- Contaminated air or dust: Some viruses can be transmitted through the air or stick to shoes and clothing.
- Unintentional mixing: If your cat runs away for a moment or other cats enter the garden.
- Adopting a new cat: The new cat may carry (without showing symptoms) diseases and transmit them to your current cat.
Saving money in the long run:
The cost of vaccinations is very low compared to the cost of treating the diseases they protect against. Treating a disease like feline distemper can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, and doesn't guarantee a cure for the cat.
Corporate social responsibility and public health:
- Protecting other cats: When your cat is vaccinated, you contribute to creating what is called herd immunity, which limits the spread of diseases among the cat community.
- Protect your family: Rabies vaccination protects your family from a deadly disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans.
Read also: Types of food for pet turtles and how to feed them correctly
Cat fungus (ringworm):
Fungal infections in cats are among the most common health problems they face at various stages of their lives. It's not just a passing skin infection; it can develop into a complex health problem that spreads between cats and can even reach humans. These fungal infections sometimes appear suddenly, subtly infiltrating the cat's skin and fur, causing unpleasant symptoms that can significantly impact the animal's health and quality of life.
Fungi attack cats' skin by taking advantage of periods of weakened immunity, minor cuts and scratches, or even times of stress and anxiety. These microorganisms are characterized by their ability to survive in the environment for weeks, making their eradication a real challenge for both breeders and veterinarians.
Forms of fungal infection in cats (symptoms):
Fungal infections in cats typically appear as:
- Circular patches of hairlessness (baldness): often appear around the head, ears, tail, or limbs.
- Scaling and dryness: You may notice scaling or dryness in the center of the affected spots.
- Redness and swelling: The affected area may be slightly red and irritated, although the itching may not always be severe.
- Hair fragility: The hair around the affected area is weak and prone to falling out.
Treatment for fungal infections in cats:
One of the best and most important ways to care for your cat is to treat fungal infections. When your cat starts licking its paws constantly, or small hairless patches appear on its skin (a common sign of fungal infections in cats), these seemingly minor signs could be warning signs of a fungal infection. Fungal infections are not just a superficial skin problem; they are a persistent infection that requires a comprehensive and ongoing approach. Treating fungal infections in cats is like fighting a battle on multiple fronts: the skin, the environment, and even the immune system itself.
The treatment must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor and involves several important procedures.
Types of fungal treatments:
Topical treatment:
Treating fungal infections in cats with Dream QS Antifungal Shampoo for Cats and Dogs, 250ml
One of the most important cat care products is used to wash the cat completely twice a week to help get rid of fungal germs from the fur.
Creams and ointments: Avicin Labs 6in1 Antifungal Cream for Dogs and Cats 20g
Among the cat care products are also antifungal creams that are applied directly to the affected areas. They contain strong and effective ingredients that treat fungi quickly and are safe to use without causing allergies.
Dry cleaning powder: Vico Cantinia Antifungal Powder for Dogs and Cats 100g
It is one of the cat care products and forms of topical medicines and treatments used as a supplement to basic treatments. The powder cannot be relied upon entirely to treat the fungal form in cats, but it contributes significantly to treatment and recovery.
Oral treatment:
Oral anti-inflammatory drugs are powerful medications used to relieve inflammation, pain, and fever in cats. Despite their effectiveness, they are a double-edged sword; their use without close veterinary supervision can lead to serious consequences.
Isolation and environmental disinfection:
Isolation: The infected cat should be isolated from other pets and family members until it has fully recovered. A luxurious multi-story wooden villa from Seven Bird 130cm*90cm*60cm is one of the products for cat care and comfort, and it also contributes to maintaining their privacy, as cats tend to find hiding places away from everyone, so you find most cats in places like cardboard boxes, under the bed, or between two chairs.
Disinfection: All surfaces, furniture, bedding, and cat equipment must be disinfected and sterilized using a strong disinfectant solution, Simple Solution Spray, for removing stains and odors for cats .
Read also: What can kittens eat from household food without it causing them harm?
The shape of cat ticks and their treatment:
Ticks are external parasites visible to the naked eye, belonging to the arachnid class, not insects. Their appearance changes depending on their state: when not feeding, they are flat, small, and brown or black. Once attached to a cat's skin and beginning to feed on its blood, they swell and increase significantly in size, becoming spherical or oval, and may take on a light gray or pale blue color, resembling a small bean firmly attached to the skin. Ticks are often found in areas that are difficult for cats to clean, such as the neck, around the ears, or between the toes.
Treatment for cat ticks:
It includes two basic steps:
Immediate and careful removal:
Remove ticks manually using special tick tweezers or a dedicated tool, carefully pulling them out slowly and vertically (in a straight line) from the nearest point of attachment to the skin, to avoid leaving any part of the tick's mouthparts embedded in the cat's skin. It is essential to avoid crushing the tick during removal or using traditional methods such as petroleum jelly, alcohol, or heat, as this may cause the parasite to release more saliva and fluids that could carry diseases into the cat's bloodstream.
Prevention and control:
After removal, recommended cat grooming products and veterinary preparations are used to prevent future infestations. These include topical drops, oral tablets, or antiparasitic collars. A veterinarian should be consulted to choose the most suitable vaccinations for your cat, especially since cat ticks can sometimes transmit serious diseases.
The Seventh Bird store offers everything you need in terms of cat care and veterinary products:
Befar Wound Ointment for Cats and Dogs with Natural Honey, Turmeric and Aloe Vera
30ml Trixie Spray Pet Flea Repellent 250ml
The difference between ticks and fungi in cats:
Understanding the different nature of each is essential to ensuring correct diagnosis and providing appropriate and effective treatment.
Cat fungus:
It is a skin infection caused by a microorganism (fungus), and its symptoms appear as hairless skin patches that invade the outer layer of the skin, hair, and nails, and it is highly contagious to humans.
Cat ticks:
It is an external parasite (visible insect) that attaches to the skin to suck blood and can transmit serious diseases such as cat tick fever. It may be transmitted accidentally but does not usually reproduce on humans.
Important tips for breeders to provide the best methods of cat care:
1- Creating a safe and loving home environment for cats:
Encourage her to play and be physically active, and provide her with scratching and climbing areas. A happy cat is a healthy cat. Pamper your cat regularly and buy her toys, grooming products, and tasty treats that she loves to maintain her cat's mental well-being.
Seven Bird Catnip Cat Ball is a track game with a cat ball at the top.
Nobleza cat fishing rod with balls and feathers
Vitacraft Cat Treats with Liver 40g
2- Do not compromise on veterinary care:
Adhere to the annual cat vaccination schedule and routine check-ups, even if your cat appears healthy; early detection saves its life.
3- Make prevention a monthly habit:
Don't wait until you see fleas or ticks. Regular use of pest control products is your first line of defense against parasites and the diseases they transmit.
4- Focus on food quality:
Choose food that provides the protein she needs as a carnivore, and make sure she gets enough taurine for heart and vision health.
5- Daily monitoring is key:
Pay attention to any slight changes in your cat's behavior, appetite, or litter box use; these changes are the first signs of health problems.
In conclusion:
Caring for cats is a comprehensive commitment that goes beyond simply meeting basic needs. It's an ongoing journey of vigilance and attention, with the ultimate goal of maintaining the well-being of this gentle creature that has shared your life. In this article, we've explored the essential pillars of ensuring your cat's health, from protecting them from parasites like ticks and fleas to the importance of regular vaccinations and high-quality nutrition.
Investing in these preventative aspects is not only less expensive than treating diseases, but it also guarantees you a loyal companion who enjoys a long and vibrant life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 3-3-3 rule for cats?
The “3-3-3” rule is used when welcoming a new cat into the home: 3 days for initial adaptation, 3 weeks to begin understanding the routine, and 3 months for her to feel “at home”.
How do I know if my cat is hungry?
Signs of hunger include constant meowing, sitting down or heading to the food bowl, weight loss or decreased activity, or eating at an increasing speed.
What is the best way to care for a cat at home?
This includes: providing balanced, high-quality nutrition, daily litter box cleaning, providing a quiet sleeping area, regular brushing, and annual veterinary care.
How often should the litter box be cleaned?
It is recommended to remove daily waste and wash the box at least weekly, to avoid the cat refusing to use it.
Should I let the cat play too much inside the house?
Yes, domestic cats need mental and physical activity, such as interactive toys, climbing areas, and difficulty in obtaining food in a "toy basket" to avoid boredom and weight gain.
When should she visit the vet?
Adult cats should have an annual check-up, and even more so if changes in appetite, weight, or behavior are noticed, as these may indicate health problems.
How can I help my cat adjust to the new house?
Within the framework of the 3-3-3 rule: First, have her in a small, quiet room, introduce the routine gradually, and avoid major stresses or changes in the first few weeks.