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A cat is a wonderful pet and a valuable member of
your family. Providing appropriate care for your
adult cat will help prolong his or her life and
keep this treasured part of your life happy and
healthy for many years to come.
Adult
cat needs
Adult cats need many of the same things that you
would provide for a younger cat. Food, water, sleeping
quarters, toys, and plenty of love and attention
are critically important. The more time you spend
with your cat, the more you will bond and become
fast friends. Sufficient time together also gives
you the advantage of getting to know your cat extremely
well, making it easier for you to spot injuries
or health problems in their early stages.
An adult cat needs activity to stay content and
healthy. You can provide this through toys, interactive
play, or time spent outdoors. Remember that there
are many dangers in the outdoors that can threaten
the safety and health of your cat, so if possible
you should provide a safe, enclosed area in which
your cat could spend time. Another option is to
take your cat for regular walks using a leash and
a collar or harness. The exercise will be good for
both of you and your cat will have the opportunity
to be outdoors without the risks of running around
unsupervised.
Litter Kwitter training
An adult cat can begin Litter Kwitter training at
any time. This revolutionary training system allows
you to teach your adult cat to urinate and defecate
in a human toilet, getting rid of the mess and smell
associated with a litter box. Litter Kwitter is
an excellent way to improve the health of your cat
by getting rid of the bacteria and potential for
disease that comes along with a litter box. If you
do choose to use a traditional litter box, though,
make sure you establish a consistent routine of
keeping it clean and fresh at all times.
Nutrition, grooming and health care
Just as kittens and senior cats have specific nutritional
needs, so too do adult cats need appropriate nutrition.
Your veterinarian is the best person to advise you
on what food to select from the vast array of choices
on the market. Wet food, dry food, and combinations
of the two are common recommendations depending
on a cat’s state of health, general condition,
and activity levels.
While a cat will groom itself using its tongue,
if you establish a regular routine of grooming with
a soft brush or comb, you will do much to keep your
cat’s coat healthy and vibrant. Longhaired
cats need daily grooming, while shorthaired cats
are fine with grooming once or twice a week. If
you cat does not hold still for grooming, take it
slowly. Start with a very soft brush or even a soft
cloth, and only groom for a minute or two at a time.
You can do this several times a day to start with,
gradually decreasing the number of sessions and
increasing the length of each session.
Regular veterinary care is important for every adult
cat. Even if your cat appears healthy, the best
way to ensure he or she stays healthy well into
the senior years is to see your vet at least annually
for a general exam, de-worming, and any necessary
vaccinations. If you practice preventive care during
adulthood, your cat’s senior years are likely
to be happier and more comfortable for everyone
concerned.
Outdoors or indoors?
There has long been an ongoing debate over whether
it is best for a cat to live indoors, outdoors,
or a combination of the two. Increasingly, pet experts
recommend that you keep your adult cat indoors exclusively.
This helps protect him or her from the dangers of
outdoor predators like dogs, coyotes, and hawks,
while also preventing injury or accident due to
cars, trucks, buses, or other urban vehicles.
If you believe your cat will be happiest with at
least some outdoor time, create a safe outdoor enclosure
where your cat can lounge and play at will. The
enclosure should be secure enough to keep your cat
from escaping and to keep predators from getting
in.
Many cats also enjoy going for walks on a leash
with a collar or harness. A harness tends to be
a bit more comfortable for your cat and is less
likely to slip off if your cat balks or tries to
get away. If your cat it new to walking on a leash,
start gradually around the house. Attach the leash
indoors and go for a short walk indoors, gradually
increasing the amount of time spent on the leash.
Once your cat is comfortable with the leash you
can venture outdoors, again working your way up
gradually from short walks around the yard to longer
walks around the neighborhood.
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