Cat care basics

Understanding cats

Domestic cats descend from wildcats and still have the instincts of a small predator: hunting, scratching, climbing and resting in safe high places. Good cat care means giving them ways to act on those instincts at home.

Food and water

• Cats are obligate carnivores. They need nutrients found in animal tissue, such as the amino acid taurine. Feed a complete and balanced commercial cat food.
• Many vets recommend including some wet food, which adds water to the diet.
• Cats often drink little. A water fountain or several bowls placed away from food can encourage drinking.
• Keep your cat at a healthy weight; overweight cats are at higher risk of health problems.
• Never feed a cat dog food long term; it lacks nutrients cats need.

Litter boxes

A common guideline is one litter box per cat, plus one extra.

Sudden changes in litter habits can be a sign of illness or stress. A male cat straining to urinate is an emergency; contact a vet immediately.

Play and enrichment

• Play with wand toys for 10 to 15 minutes at least once or twice a day.
• Provide climbing spaces and window perches.
• Use puzzle feeders to slow eating and add a hunting challenge.
• Rotate toys to keep them interesting.

Scratching

Scratching keeps claws healthy, marks territory and stretches muscles. Provide:

• A tall, sturdy vertical scratching post.
• A horizontal scratcher.
• Placement near sleeping areas and doorways.

Reward your cat for using them.

Vet care

• Vaccines: your vet will recommend core vaccines, typically including rabies and the combination vaccine for feline panleukopenia, herpesvirus and calicivirus.
• Parasite prevention: fleas, ticks and worms.
• Spaying or neutering.
• Microchip for identification.
• Annual checkups, more often for seniors.
• Dental care: dental disease is common in cats.

Cats hide pain well. Watch for hiding, reduced appetite, weight loss or changes in grooming.

Indoor or outdoor?

Many veterinary and wildlife organizations recommend keeping cats indoors or giving them safe outdoor access, such as an enclosed "catio" or leash walks. Indoor cats avoid traffic, fights and many diseases, and they do not hunt wild birds and small animals. See how to help wildlife.

Household dangers

• Lilies are extremely toxic to cats; even small amounts of pollen or water from a vase can cause kidney failure.
• Some human medicines, such as acetaminophen, are dangerous to cats.
• String, ribbon and hair ties can cause intestinal blockages if swallowed.

See foods and plants dangerous to pets.