News on the Cat!!!

[AniGamer]

Yea, it won't be here for 2-3 days. The person I'm getting the from is willing to spay it for me, so I took up the offer.

I wanna take this time to get tips from you guys. I've only had a cat once before, and we only had it for a year. Plus, that was like 4-5 years ago.

Thanks. :)

[naburu]

Cats are very easy to care for. What kinda tips do you want? Other than KEEP YOUR BUDGIES SAFE!

[Cdog]

I've owned cats all my life, what info do you need?

[Goldielover]

You'll need a litter box if one isn't coming with it. The litter will need to be scooped daily - cat pee and poop can really smell if you don't keep up with the cleaning. I hope you are planning on keeping it as an indoor cat - it is much safer for them. They need to scratch to exercise the muscles that control their claws. Some will use a proper scratching post, while others will use furniture or other hard surfaces. Be prepared to chase away from furniture as that may not be popular with your parents. Most cats are very good climbers, and quite ingenious at getting to things they want, so make sure your budgie cage is well secured. Keep cat well separated from bird during out of cage time. Find out what it has been eating, and get some of the same stuff. If you want to change its food, do it gradually. Cats are quite variable in their temperaments. Some are really snuggly, and love to be held and petted. Others prefer to be close, but don't like to be picked up, while some will watch from a distance. We have one of each.:) Providing they have access to food, water, a comfortable place to sleep and their litter, they are fine left by themselves for awhile. If the cat has a long coat, it will need to be brushed regularly, as their coats will get quite matted otherwise. Even short haired cats can benefit from this, and it does help to keep the cat hair from getting all over the place quite so much. If you still have the cat over the Christmas period, watch out for your Christmas tree and ornaments. You won't be able to use much if anything in the way of tinsel. Cats are attracted to it, and it can play havoc with their innards if they swallow it. They will also climb your tree, and knock ornaments all over the place, so be careful of glass ones as well. I've not been able to use my good glass ornaments in years. Having said all of the above, they're really not that difficult to take care of, and are lots of fun.:)

[Will]

Since cats are strict carnivores you need to make sure the food you get them doesn't have any veggies or grains like most do. Evo or Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul are both good brands.

[RATTIE]

I hope you plan on keeping it as an inside only cat. Inside only cats live a lot longer then a cat that can go outside. I use arm & hammer cat litter but I add a few things to it. I put a cup or two of fish carbon and a 1lb (454g) box of pure baking soda and I don't smell the poop even when my kitten don't cover it. Never give a cat cow's milk because it could kill them.

[Will]

I hope you plan on keeping it as an inside only cat. Inside only cats live a lot longer then a cat that can go outside.

Definitely agree. I'll never understand why some people keep their cats outside, or let them go out at all. Its just too risky, even if the cats do like being outside. That being said, I do have 3 outdoor cats but its not by my choice and I do hope to have them indoors soon.

[AniGamer]

I would never keep the cat outside. Only inside. By the way, I was told milk was better than water for them. Is that true?

[Goldielover]

I would never keep the cat outside. Only inside. By the way, I was told milk was better than water for them. Is that true?

Definitely false. Milk can cause diarrhea. I can always tell when one of mine has sneaked an unauthorized lick from an ice cream bowl because of what I find in the litter boxes. Water is best. Some cats don't drink a lot, but the water still needs to be fresh for them. I change the water twice a day for ours, and they STILL head for the toilet every time its flushed, because its fresher.

[Rebeccaveggie]

I think its also a lot better to keep your cats indoors because a girl I know has loads of cats that are all out door cats. Some go missing permanatley, others go missing for a few months and then come back and all of them non- stop breed. They are all quite thin and regularly bring back dead birds, squirrels, mice, rats and other poor animals. They once killed a pigeon that was on eggs. Also, this girl has had at least 2 cats killed by cars and quite a few that have vanished or come back really thin and ill.