Caring For Cats: Helpful and Vital Information on How to Do It

Owning a cat may be simple but taking good care of your cat is not so easy. It needs proper planning because just like any other pet, cats have their own unique needs. As everyone knows, cats are inquisitive, nosy and curious by nature. They can be fickle creatures too, one minute they want to be outside playing, the next they want to be inside the house. They love to be perched up high. You may think that owning a cat is the most gratifying experience of all. This could be true if you know how to give your cat the very best life.

The essential tips to help you take good care of your cat 

·         Grooming comfortable beds

This is an essential factor and it depends on the length of the cat’s coat how often you should brush them. It is a good idea to groom them every day. You'll get less hair around your home, and they'll be less likely to suffer from fur balls. Get a good cat brush and a flea comb too. Cats and water are not generally friends, so bathing them is neither easy nor fun. Luckily cats are pretty good at keeping themselves clean, so bathing your cat will only be a rare occurrence, if they happen to come in covered in something very dirty or sticky for example!

·         comfortable beds

  Cats are very sensitive; they love comfort and an easy life. One way to show your love for your cat is by getting it a soft cozy bed where it can rest and take naps. It is crucial to get a good quality bed, which is comfortable and relaxing as cats spend up to 18 hours a day sleeping!

·         Proper company, recreation and games

A cat is very active especially when young. They always love companionship. Despite being very independent, most cats also love spending quality time with their owners. It is  important to introduce recreation and games because they love to play. Playing with your cat will keep him happy and fit. Make time to play with your cat and you'll really bond with him. You might find you have fun too!  Having physical activity will help you and your cat to stay active and healthy. Playtime is especially important if you have indoor cats as the exercise will be very good for them if they're not getting out and about.

·         Proper vaccinations

Cats, like any other pets can be prone to diseases. Regular vaccinations are crucial. When you take your cat for vaccinations, your vet will also give him a check up. This can pick up conditions early and could save the life of your pet. Most catteries insist that you have up to date vaccinations before they will take your pets, and many pet insurance policies are invalidated if you haven't kept up with the vaccinations, so it's definitely an important thing to remember.

·         Behavioral problems

This is a key factor in taking care of your cat. There are behavioral patterns that may require dealing with but you need patience and lots of love to train a cat properly. Such behaviors could be urinating in the wrong places, aggression and scratching furniture. Cats don't remember, so there's no point giving them a lecture half an hour after they've scratched the sofa. A firm NO at the time they do something wrong is the best way to go about it. A water misting spray can also be a good immediate signal to the cat that he's doing something wrong. It doesn't harm the cat, but they don't like it one bit!

·         Proper diet

One of the most important care tips for your cat is a proper diet. Get the right high quality food and you're doing the very best to keep your cat healthy. They say that ‘you are what you eat’ this can be well applied to cats too! There is a wide of variety of cat food available. Always go for the best quality. It is important to make sure that you get foods that are rich in omega 3 supplements for healthier skin. Avoid cheap dry pet foods as they can be low quality and full of artificial additives.  The age of the cat also determines the food you should be feeding it; kittens have different dietary requirements to elderly cats. The food you select plays a vital role in keeping at bay conditions and diseases such as obesity and heart disease. 

If you’d like more information about your cat’s specific dietary requirements then please visit the Burgess website - http://www.burgesspetcare.co.uk/pet-care/supacat.html

14 Facts About Cats You May Not Know

1- Ancient Egyptians worshipped cats and it was thought they were the first to domesticate them and if a cat died in the family people would shave their eyebrows as part of the mourning process.

2- Egyptians considered that the murder of a cat was punishable by death.

3- On average, cats spend around 30% of their waking hours grooming themselves.

4- he most expensive cat ever cost his owner around $50,000 who was a clone.

5- In Holland’s embassy in Moscow the people that were working there noticed that two Siamese office cats kept meowing and clawing at the walls of the building. When their owners finally investigated, they thought that they would find mice. Instead, they discovered microphones hidden by Russian spies. The cats amazingly heard the microphones when they were turned on.

Image Zaimoku_woodpile / Flickr

6- Did you know that just like humans, cats can suffer from food intolerances, and can lead to side effects such as, skin & coat problems, vomiting, diarrhoea and flatulence If your cat does suffer from any of these, we recommend gradually switching onto hypo-allergenic cat food.

7- Cats cannot move their jaw sideways, meaning they can't eat large chunks of food.

8- A cat has around 230 bones in its body, a human has 206. A cat has no collarbone, this means that they can fit through any opening the same size of it's head.

9- A cat can see better in much lower light than humans can, however cats don't see colour as well as humans do. Scientists believe that the grass appears red to cats.

10- There's about 500 million domesticated cats in the world, and there's approximately 40 recognized breeds.

11- Cats are so sensitive to vibrations, it is thought that they can detect earthquakes up to 15 minutes before humans.

12- Cats can drink sea water and hydrate themselves, regardless of the high levels of sodium chloride which is what gives sea water it's salty taste.

13- Disneyland releases over 200 cats into their theme park to keep potential rodent problems under control. The tradition started in 1955, but during the Sleeping Beauty castle renovation a couple of years later, over 100 flee ridden cats were found living in the unused parts of the castle. Their population is now much better controlled, the cats are neutered sprayed and given regular injections.

14- It is believed that Isaac Newton had invented the cat flap.

Can Cats have Allergies?

You may not really believe it when the vet tells you that you have a sensitive cat on your hands. You may find it difficult to believe that pets suffer from many of the same problems that humans can have. It is just as important for cats with allergies to avoid stimulating foods as it is for children. No matter how much your cat may like foods that are bad for him, hypoallergenic cat food is a much better choice. You will have far fewer issues with your pet vomiting all over your furniture. 

Burgess Sensitive Hypoallergenic Cat Food

When your cat is healthy, she will have more energy and will likely spend much less time mewling at you. There are few things more unnerving than a cat that is suffering. though some cats have loud personalities, if it isn't like your cat to be noisy this can be a sign there is a problem. Slow growth or small adult size can also be signs that your cat has special dietary needs. Some cats have a hard time digesting certain proteins, others merely lack the enzymes necessary to process certain grains, like wheat or corn. Choosing to feed a hypoallergenic cat food can eliminate many potential allergens and may solve a problem you didn't even realize you and your cat were having.

Many pet owners choose to feed high quality hypoallergenic foods simply to be sure their furry friend is as healthy as possible. One of the benefits of these special foods is their use of whole, simple ingredients instead of the high quantity of fillers and preservatives usually present in pet foods. The simpler the ingredients list, the more likely you pet will be to handle the food. Though some symptoms of food allergies or sensitivities have nothing to do with digestive upset, there are some really common things you can watch for, such as itchiness, rashes, or swelling.

When in doubt about the health of your pet, it is in both your best interests to have a veterinarian check out the situation. Their advice can be priceless when it comes to the comfort of your pet. There are many types of hypoallergenic cat foods available and though most exclude the most common allergens, your pet may have very specific nutritional needs that can best be met by one brand over another. The price of a good quality food may seem high in the beginning, but think of it in terms of avoiding medical bills in the future. As with humans, if good nutrition and proper exercise are adhered too, the likelihood of costly and debilitating problems later in life is greatly reduced.

Choosing to feed your pet a hypoallergenic cat food may add years of health and happiness to your treasured furry friend, and save you a fortune in veterinarian bills. Your cat will thank you with the purr of a comfortable and pain free life. There are many choices available on the market and each offers a unique set of taste and ingredients, some experimentation may be necessary.  For more information on the Burgess Sensitive range of hypoallergenic pet foods please visit our website.