While your cat may act and appear to be independent and at time look to you as merely its play thing, don’t be fooled as it is very dependent on you for a healthy, happy and long life. It is dependent on you for the basic necessities of life including food, water, shelter, health care, companionship, etc. Here is a list of the top ten most essential things you can do to ensure that your cat has a long and happy life and is an endearing companion you will never forget.

  1. Give your cat a collar and ID tag that includes your name, address, and telephone number. No matter how careful you are, there is always a chance your cat may slip out the door or get lost. An ID tag greatly increases the chance that your cat will be returned home safely.
  2. Obey local cat registration laws. Licensing, a registration and an identification system administered by some local governments, protects both cats and people in the community. Make sure you know what the law is where you live and register your cat.
  3. Schedule regular veterinarian visits. If you do not have a veterinarian, ask your local animal shelter or a pet-owning friend for a referral. It is important that you cats have regular veterinarian visits throughout its life. As the old saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.
  4. Spay or neuter your pet. This will keep her healthier and will reduce the problem of cat overpopulation. The positive health benefits for your cat make this a much worthwhile procedure.
  5. Keep your cat indoors. Keeping your cat safely confined at all times is best for you, your pet, and your community.
  6. Provide your cat with a healthy and balanced diet which includes constant access to fresh water. Ask your veterinarian for advice on what and how often to feed your cat. Remember, your cat is completely dependent on you for its diet and that is an important responsibility, one that will directly affect its life.
  7. Groom your cat often to keep its coat healthy, soft, and shiny. Although it is especially important to brush long haired cats to prevent their hair from matting, even short haired felines need to be groomed to remove as much loose hair as possible. When cats groom themselves, they ingest a great deal of hair, which often leads to hairballs. Regular and consistent grooming, proper nutrition and appropriate supplements will provide your cat with a healthy coat and skin.
  8. Train your cat to refrain from undesirable behaviors such as scratching furniture, jumping on countertops, spraying the house and not using the litter box. Contrary to popular belief, cats can be trained with a bit of patience, effort, and understanding on your part. Good discipline and training will lead to a happier cat and a happier you.
  9. Set aside time to play with your cat. While cats do not need the same level of exercise that dogs do, spending quality play time with your cat will provide it with the physical exercise and mental stimulation it needs, as well as strengthen the bond you share and the memories you will always remember.
  10. Be loyal to and patient with your cat. Make sure the expectations you have of your companion are reasonable and remember that the vast majority of behavior problems can be solved with a little patients and understanding. If you are struggling with your pet’s behavior, contact your veterinarian or local animal shelter for advice. Your cat will usually try to do what it can to please you but it will not always be perfect.