Cat starter kit
Cat starter kit
Cats can be demanding and have their own tastes, but they can establish deep and friendly relationships with humans. How do I prepare for taking a cat under my roof? We present the necessary elements of the starter kit for cats.
Kittens that are going to live with their caregivers should be separated from their mother and siblings at 8–12 weeks of age. It is important that they already have their first permanent teeth and are switched from liquid to solid food so that they can eat the feed. Moving into a new home is a big change for your cat and you should gradually get it used to its surroundings. The starting point is the proper layout of the places where the cat will function on a daily basis. The territory of the cat should be divided into feeding, play, hygiene and rest areas. Changes in this arrangement may cause later behavioural problems: satisfying physiological needs outside the litter box, scratching carpets or furniture, etc.
Table of contents
Feeding
The necessary elements of a cat’s starter kit are bowls: one for food and one for water. For a small cat, 300 ml bowls, ceramic or metal will be the best, as they are more scratch resistant and easier to maintain than plastic bowls. It is also worthwhile to provide a bowl pad, which will be easy to clean. Sometimes cats take the food out of the bowl and eat it straight from the floor.
Kittens no longer using maternal food require good nutrition to support their immune system. Additionally, it is worth considering a supplementation with Dr Seidel snacks for healthy kittens, which are an excellent supplement to the daily diet. They can be used as a snack between meals. It is a complete cat treat enriched with prebiotics and taurine in quantities corresponding to dietary supplements.
The immunity of your cat can also be facilitated by Flawitol Super Taste. It is a fully natural nutritional preparation obtained from fish. It is an excellent source of n-3 acids and vitamins – A, D3 and E.
Hygiene
The cat litter box is another essential part of the starter kit. For kittens, a low, open container will be the best, but with a special edge that will limit the spill of litter outside the box. Choosing the right litter is a more difficult task. Bentonite-, wood-, corn- and silicone-based litters are available in pet shops. Each of them has slightly different properties; in addition, it can be fragrant or antibacterial – they are worth testing. The best selection criterion will be the individual preference of the cat as well as the comfort of use. The box should stand in a secluded place, away from food and water bowls.
When your cat grows up, it may need to be bathed, especially if you let it go outside on its own. Dr Seidel shampoo for cats is an excellent way to wash and care for cat skin and coat. It contains mild detergents, removes even heavy dirt, moisturises and restores softness and shine to hair. The scent of catnip makes bathing a pleasant experience for your cat.
Health
Veterinary treatment and vaccination of a cat is the responsibility of the vet. Regular visits to the clinic and following your doctor’s advice is a way to ensure your pet is adequately protected. As the kitten grows up and starts to lick its fur intensively, it is worth thinking about Malt anti-hairball paste. It is a product that makes it easier to pass hair through your cat’s digestive tract. It prevents the formation of hairballs that cause vomiting or constipation and regulates intestinal physiology.
When your cat is 3 months old, it can wear an anti-parasitic collar. This is one of the best ways to protect your pet from a flea infestation. Sabunol collar for cats contain two active substances: imidacloprid and geraniol. Thanks to special notches that allow it to be stretched or ripped in case of a strong pull, tt combats fleas effectively and is safe for cats.
Play time
Time spent playing is especially important for kittens. That is why a scratcher and toys should be present at home from the first days of your cat’s stay in the new house. To start with, it is worth buying a small scratcher and watching if your cat likes to scratch vertical or horizontal surfaces. Once you know your pet’s preferences, you can buy a more elaborate set. Scratchers wrapped with string are most popular, but cats also like to scratch wood or cardboard. In addition, the scratcher can be made more attractive with an attracting spray, such as Atraktis preparation with catnip. This preparation contains natural catnip extract, which is liked a lot by cats and is completely harmless to the environment.
The choice of cat toys is very wide – feathers, mice, balls and tunnels work best. Cat toys help to overcome boredom, satisfy the hunting instinct and build ties with the carer.
Rest and safety
The bed should be a place where the cat will feel safe. Cats prefer round beds where they can roll up into a ball. Place the bed in a secluded place, preferably away from domestic noises, to give your cat maximum peace of mind. It is possible that the cat won’t use the bed or choose something completely different: a soft blanket or a pillow. How to prevent that from happening? Sometimes it is enough to move the bed to a place chosen by your cat. If you encounter problems during adaptation and your cat finds it difficult to adapt to the new location, Dr Seidel adaptive preparations containing equivalents of natural pheromones can help. They have a calming and soothing effect on cats and provide a sense of security, especially in difficult situations, such as disconnection from the mother, change of environment, visit to the vet, travel, storm, fireworks, etc. Adaptive preparations are available in various forms: evaporator plugged into an electrical outlet, collar or spray.
Any caregiver of a cat will also need a carrier. It will serve as a safe way of transporting your pet in a car or carrying it outside the house. If your cat is going to take walks it is worth buying a leash and a collar as well and start learning to walk on a leash as early as possible, between 3–6 months of age.
2 октября 2023
