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How can you help your kitten live a long and healthy life? Although you can’t predict the health of your cat with certainty, you can increase the probability of both her general health and a long life through proper care that begins as soon as you bring her home. Your veterinarian can advise further on these five key considerations for taking care of your kitten.
Feed your kitten high-quality food designed to meet nutritional needs during specific stages of her life. Your kitten’s nutritional requirements will depend on her life stage and lifestyle. No matter the life stage, cats are carnivores and require nutrients from animal protein and fat for optimal health.
Prevent obesity with prudent portion control and frequent play activities. Exercise relieves stress, reduces aggression and keeps cats alert. Just 15 to 30 minutes of play a day can help keep your cat in shape and strengthen the bond between the two of you. In addition, getting your kitten used to playtime early on will help you get used to playing with your cat routinely.
Keep your kitten inside to help reduce the risk of illness or injury from accidents, fights and disease. As your kitten gets older, you can help avoid the stress of harassment from other animals by keeping your kitten inside. You should make your home safe by protecting your cat from environmental dangers, such as household cleaners and secondhand smoke. Cats frequently groom themselves with their tongues, and over time, even small amounts of harmful chemicals can have adverse effects.
Groom your kitten early and often to get her used to brushing. When brushing, check for bumps or abnormalities, and promptly seek veterinary advice if you discover anything suspicious. Take your cat to the veterinarian at least annually for a complete physical exam, and follow your veterinarian’s advice regarding preventive health care measures.
Your veterinarian may also recommend periodic professional cleaning of your cat’s teeth, which may preserve years of her life.
Last but not least, give your cat lots of love! Despite some cats’ aloof demeanor, all cats thrive on affection. Both you and your cat will reap the benefits of spending quality time together.
It was once thought that one year in the life of a cat was equivalent to seven years of a human life. Below is a revised way of looking at how a cat year stacks up to a human year.
| Cat Age | Human Age |
| 6 months | 10 years |
| 8 months | 13 years |
| 10 months | 14 years |
| 1 year | 15 years |
| 18 months | 20 years |
| 2 years | 24 years |
| 3 years | 28 years |
| 4 years | 32 years |
| 5 years | 36 years |
| 6 years | 40 years |
| 7 years | 44 years |
| 8 years | 48 years |
| 9 years | 52 years |
| 10 years | 56 years |
| 11 years | 60 years |
| 12 years | 64 years |
| 13 years | 68 years |
| 14 years | 72 years |
| 15 years | 76 years |
| 16 years | 80 years |
| 17 years | 84 years |
| 18 years | 88 years |
| 19 years | 92 years |
| 20 years | 96 years |
| 21 years | 100 years |
The only thing better than owning a cat is owning more than one cat. While a multiple-cat household means additional snuggles and cuddles, it can also mean a little extra work when it comes to mealtime. Fear not! We’ve assembled this tasty buffet of tips to help make sure all your feline companions get the proper amount of food and nutrition.
Similar to their humans, cats’ diets vary for a number of reasons.
Now, how can you make sure each cat is eating the right food come suppertime?
Make any changes to your cats’ diets gradually over the course of several days. This will help reduce stomach issues or requests to “speak with the manager.”
Instead of setting up a 24-hour buffet, schedule regular times for dining. This helps ensure your cats are hungry when it’s time to eat and won’t steal from anyone else’s dish throughout the day.
The best way to prevent fights over food or other eating issues is to keep an eye on your cats when you feed them. You’ll be certain everyone is getting a proper meal, and you’ll get some extra time to hang out together.
Try feeding each cat in a different room, putting their food bowls far apart or separating eating spaces with a barrier like a baby gate, trash can or chair.
Another option is to put one cat’s meal on the floor and the other’s on a countertop. This works well if one of your cats is older or heavier and can’t make the leap.
Your furry friends might not take to these changes immediately, but kind words, your ongoing affection and judicious use of treats will go a long way toward having them accept a new mealtime routine.
