How to pet Cats!

Cats are famous for their sass; they have ramp walk named after them; for years Egyptians held them in high regard as divine creatures and even today the most popular of the family musicals in theatre is CATS and loved infinitely in Europe. In reality cats are just adorable fur babies that make great pets and companions. How? Below mentioned are some bits helpful for readers expecting to be cat moms (or dads for that matter).

Your cat needs a ‘pet passport’ more than you… yes you read it right.

A pet passport is an essential document every owner must have as it is their sole identity. This legal document includes every single detail of your pet such as its date of birth, color, breed, vaccination record, prescribed medicines and other medical records etc. Its purpose, apart from keeping records and description of one’s pet, is to facilitate inter state travel. So, without the provision of this passport, it is unlikely that the authorities would allow you to take your pet anywhere with you, even within the country. As far as the passport is concerned, you don’t have to go to a specific center, rather it can be obtained from your vet.

Which vaccinations for yours and cat’s safety !

Like humans, cats too are vulnerable to several ailments. So, to ensure they live a healthy life, it is essential to get them vaccinated. These vaccinations are not only for their safety but also for the protection of the whole family given that pets are an integral part of it. A series of injections prescribed by your vet are given to the pet usually when they reach 6-8 weeks of age. These vaccinations take place at several intervals as it is recommended for effective immunization. Injecting the animal without any break is unhealthy and frankly, quite dangerous.

Initial essential vaccines that your pet will require includes;

A combination of the first three vaccines are given to a feline till 16 weeks of age. Later, Rabies vaccination is given once. After this process your pet will get annual vaccination to boost its immunity. Going to a good vet to get all these vaccinations is crucial as quacks will only risk the life of your pet. It is very common for a cat to feel unwell post vaccination process, hence its not something to fret about. During this period, make sure your cat is taken care of and is getting proper nutrition and ample sleep.

What do fur babies eat and how to treat your cats….fatten em up!!!

Food is a crucial and basic need of living things to aid healthy growth and development. There are numerous options available when it comes to cat food in supermarkets but while buying food for your cat, a few things should be kept in mind. The diet must be a blend of all the essential nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins because a balanced diet is beneficial for the pets growth. Dry and wet foods, both are good options and a combination of both serves the purpose. You can either give them separately or together from time to time depending on the age of your cat. Your vet can also help you in deciding the portion sizes and buying the perfect feed based on your pet's condition and needs. A home cooked diet that is not recommended or formulated by the vet should be avoided as it would lack the nutrients your pet needs and would lead to long term poor health. Royal Canin and Nutra gold dry feed are highly recommended and are available at every supermarket. Similarly, whiskas, Royal Canin and purina have a wide range of wet food with various flavors.

Where do fur babies poop and pee…Of course inside your house!

Cats need their own litter box so the first step is to buy a comfortable litter box and a scoop for them. Fill it up with clumping unscented litter and don’t cover it with a lid. Make sure that it is open and accessible for your cat. Fill it up to 2-3 inches so that they have enough to dig around. The placement of the litter box is also very important as cats prefer privacy so it should not be in a busy area but rather a quiet one. Once the cat is done with the deed, using the scoop, take it out and throw it away so that the litter remains clean for them to use again. Litter should not be changed every day and if you are scooping the waste put side by side, then it lasts for a week. It has tubes changed after a week because if not, it puts your cat's health at risk of developing several infections.

WARNING! Never use sand as litter as it leads to fleas in your cat !!!

Bathing your cats.....takes literally your patience, blood and sweat,!

 If there is one thing that cats hate the most, it is definitely Bathing. They give the owners a tough time while doing so and if one finds it difficult then taking them to your vet is also helpful as they offer such services. 

Ticks and fleas are very common among cats and dogs. They may get it from the outer environment  or from coming into contact with an infected cat. Fortunately, there are several oral and topical treatments available to help take your pet out of this agony. During the treatment,  a collar must be placed around their neck to prevent them from licking the poisonous medicine.

Grooming for pretty paws

Cats are very clean animals and they like to groom themselves. For indoor cats, special nail clippers are available for cutting their nails. Cats with heavy fur need shaving as it gets very hard for them, in summers and it should not be one on your own rather by your vet. The ears should also be taken care of and should be cleaned after every two to three weeks otherwise cats develop ear mites which if left untreated cause further health issues .

How to monitor the reproductive health of your cats?

 Heat is a natural process that cats endure usually when they become an adult. During this period they do act abnormally as they may not use their litter box and pee here and there. I'm sure it’s something out of the ordinary but it’s not weird at all, they act like this when they are in heat. You can prepare a clean litter box, a comfortable bed and arrange a partner for mating to take care of them. Don’t stress your cat out by telling it, rather pet them to calm them down.

What can set them in a playful mood …..Not vets but vets are a blessing in disguise.

Cats have their own toys that you can either buy from a market , vets clinic or order online . Note that living in the digital era this too has been revolutionized. Online games and videos are present to make them happy. 

Though visits to a vet are a must, visiting a good vet is the essential thing. My personal experience has been great with Dr.Farrukh of the Farrukh’s pet clinic in Bahria Town. He is very courteous and always comes up with the right diagnosis while calling your cat ‘ mera beita’. Within his clinic you can find a variety of things including food, accessories, cages, medicines etc for your cat. A big thumbs up for his services.