Happy new year everybody!!!

catsindoors:

Jackson Galaxy, Pam-Johnson Bennett, Little Big Cat, and Cat Info are some of my favorite websites for cat information so check them out. Of course, I don’t agree with every single detail mentioned on each of these websites and neither do you. They’re good reading, but they aren’t law.

1. Cats aren’t dogs. A lot of people think cats are dogs and try to feed them like dogs and read their behavior likes dogs and - they’re just not dogs, okay? If you’ve had dogs, forget dogs. This is a whole knew game. Learn about feline behavior, especially, ‘cause a cat will tell you what they’re thinking but it tends to be a lot more subtle.
   
2. Nutrition. Cats are obligate carnivores, they have no need for plants and using them as a substantial part of their diet can be damaging. Cats are also really bad at keeping themselves hydrated and can dehydrate up to 4% before taking a drink. Kibble is… really not great for them because of both of these factors, plants are important to bind the kibble together and it’s very low in moisture. An all wet diet is optimal, but if this isn’t possible for you do as much wet as you can. [Food FAQ / Nutrition page]
3. Keep them inside. Obviously, that’s what this whole blog is about, but I still had to say it. It’s so dangerous for cats to be permitted to free-roam, and it’s also really, super bad for the environment. If you want them to have some outdoor time, there’s safe ways to do it. 
4. Enrichment. This is so, so important. This is no longer your house - or apartment, etc. It equally belongs to your cat, now, sorry. If you can’t, or don’t want to, “catify” your entire house by building shelves and ramps and such you have to get cat trees, scratching posts, tunnels, etc. You also have to spend time every day with your cat doing one-on-one play. [Enrichment page]
5. Litter. This is something a lot of people get wrong, because it’s gross and they don’t want to get it right. Sorry, this is what you signed up for when getting a cat. The general rule is 1 litter box per cat +1, so if you have one cat you need 2 boxes and they can’t just be lined up next to each other. Scented litters? Think again, cats have a very sensitive nose and generally aren’t a fan of Luau Febreeze or whatever they’re making now. You can still keep your clumping litter, though! It’s actually recommended, unless you got a kitten. [Litter FAQ / Litter Page]
6. Don’t Declaw. This should be a given, but unfortunately it’s still legal in a lot of places and a lot of people still consider it normal. Cats scratch, you signed up for that. If you absolutely can’t handle the scratching but don’t want to rehome your cat… rehome your cat. Declawing is animal abuse, plain and simple. The only time it’s acceptable is if it’s for a medical reason, and this usually would be one or two digits not the entire paw. [Declawing Page / Declawing Tag]
7. Training. If you want to train your cat to do some tricks, that’s fine - it can be good enrichment and help you bond, but what I want to address here is things like crate training, harness training, muzzle training, getting them used to handling, etc. Start now. Even if you have an older cat, you’re going to have to deal with vet visits and such, so getting them used to handling, being transported, etc. before you’re thrown in that situation will result in a very grateful cat, and an even more grateful Future You. 

I blew through this pretty quickly because this is the first time I’ve been on the computer since getting it, but I’m in class. So if anyone has anything else to add, please do!