A lot of people think that buying a cat and then getting it home and feeding it is the be-all and end-all of having a cat as a pet.
This is not entirely the case.
Cats are very lovable animals - and sensitive, for that matter - but they do need special care.
There are a lot of things to consider in ensuring that your pet is healthy.
And if a cat is healthy, it follows that it is happy because it is well cared for.
Your Cat's Diet The first important thing to know or focus on is diet.
Cats are carnivores just as much as lions and tigers are.
They need a balanced diet that includes various dietary supplements.
Milk alone will not suffice for their nutritional needs.
In fact, contrary to popular belief, many cats cannot tolerate commercial milk.
Mother's milk has a different composition from commercial milk that is manufactured for humans.
Your pet will develop an upset stomach and might even die from ingesting milk that is made for you and I.
Milk manufactured for humans contains a lot of iron and cats can die of iron poisoning.
The next thing that you should be aware of is that cats cannot be fed lots of offal and liver.
Kittens of up to six months of age need only four small meals in one day.
Do not over feed your cat.
Perhaps the best guide in serving raw food to kittens is the size of its head.
Always remember, do not give your pet anything that contains bromide or morphine.
Also, do not feed them anything that contains aspirin.
These are deadly substances for cats.
You should also not give your cats chocolate because it is poisonous to them.
In case of upset stomach, you can give your pet one milliliter of kaolin or Bismuth subcarbonate.
Grooming Your Cat Cats genuinely love to be groomed.
They enjoy being stroked and brushed.
The grooming style should be firm but gentle.
Generally, the best materials you can have are metal pin brushes with rounded ends, bristle brushes, and tooth metal combs.
To groom your pet, lay it first on its side and start working slowly from the head down.
When brushing, be sure to brush the hair from roots to tip.
Groom the coat on the back and front legs.
Using talc will also help you untangle knots.
Do not use perfumed powder as this may irritate the eyes and skin of your cat.
You should be aware that you should not wet matted coats.
This will only make situations worse.
If the coat is knotted, you should cut it.
Do not try to comb it because it will cause discomfort and your cat may refuse grooming next time.
Be careful in using scissors as this may hurt your pet's skin.
Taking care of your pet is a very arduous but enjoyable activity.
Your cat will love you back if you show it that you care.
Doing these things will help you develop your master - pet relationship and will make your cat more dependent on you.