If you are a responsible pet owner, you know how vital it is to make sure that all of your cat's basic needs are met. By doing this, you will be helping your pet live a pleasant and extended life. The three things that you must offer are a safe environment, good diet, and proper health care.
Cats need to be in an area that they feel is secure. Although they have wild cousins who are prepared to face the dangers, the domestic feline cannot protect herself from many of these problems. Potential dangers include cars, poison, wild animals, and even stray pets. There is only one way to protect against these. That is keeping your pet indoors at all times. With decent stimulation, inside of a house can be just as fascinating as the outside, and a lot less hazardous.
The next thing that your pet will want is a good diet. Since cats are obligate carnivores, they require meat to survive. This is the only way for them to get the essential amino acids that they require. You'll need to look for a food source that has the correct calories, nutrients, proteins, and minerals. In addition to buying dry and wet food for your pet, you can supplement their diet with raw meat.
While you want to feed them well, you don't want to feed them too much. Obesity is a big problem for many housecats and can lead to severe health issues such as diabetes and osteoarthritis. One way to fight this is to buy excellent quality food. By doing this you are making sure that they are getting plenty of nutrients but little of the high calorie filler that you find in the cheaper brands. The other thing you must do if you have an overeater is to control the portion. Only feed them a couple of times a day.
Fresh water is just as important as food for your feline's health. A cat not drinking a sufficient amount could be a sign of an underlying health problem. Since canned food is 70%-80% water, your kitty won't need as much water as they would if they were on a strictly dry food diet.
The reason why meat-free diets can be dangerous are that they don't have some of the amino acids that are needed for cat health. Taurine is one of these. Without the right amounts of this, cogential defects, deafness, blindness, or weakened immunity can occur. The amino acid arginine prevents ammonia from attaining toxic levels.
Health care is the other basic need that your kitty will require. Get them the vaccines that they need when they need them. Get them frequent check ups. You'll need to give them something to prevent fleas and ticks.
Of course, these are the most basic needs. You'll also need to groom your cat, play with her, and provide her with the love that she requires. Each feline will have different wants, and they will communicate these to you.
