Calling on ALL the CAT LOVERS!!! for help-?

Question

I just got a 4 year old neutered and declawed Persian cat from a shelter. I don't know much about him except that he is up to date on his shots and he used to live in a home with children and a small dog. I don't have any children or dogs. He seems happy over all - I had him for only one week I bought him some toys,cat nip, 2 blankets, special vitamins for his hair,and a few brushes, and I am feeding him only dry cat food. I think he likes me because he is not afraid of me he lets me pet and comb his hair and also sleeps in the bed with me.I never had a cat before so any advise and tips any one can give me will be appreciated. Feel free to ask any questions if you need to. thanks! By the way he is and will be a INDOOR cat only.--

Answer 1

Sounds like your doing great so far I have heard that an animal that comes from a shelter is very easy to care for.  I give my cat 1 can of wet food a day along with her dry food some cats can't have food given all day cause they eat until they make themselves sick.  Also get some treats.  I get tarter control and another kind for different time of day.  Over all a cat only needs food, water, and a litter box changing every 2-7 days they are very independent  don't forget the love.  You will soon realize what you cat likes and what he doesn't.  Good Luck                                                                                                                                                                        

Answer 2

Sounds like you have this pet companion jag down pat.  The only advice I can think of is that you will need a lint brush (for you) and a dust mop (for your floors - if not carpeted).

Enjoy your companion.

Answer 3

I would say that he likes you. :) With a longhaired cat like he is, you need to brush him EVERY day. His hair can become matted and tangled very easily, and that will be painful for him. Many people get persian cats shaved, and it makes it much easier to care for, especially if you are busy and not home alot to brush him. You would have to do this twice a day.

As for tips, you've had him a week, so spend time with him, get his toys out and play with him. Talk softly to him and get to know each other. I'm glad you said he will only be an indoor cat. :) Is there anything specific you have questions about?

Answer 4

He sounds great and you seem to be doing everything right - cats have a good way of letting you know if they don't like you. I have a persian who was also rescue and she is incredibly spoiled. You are lucky that he likes being groomed as this is often a problem with rescue cats. The grooming is really important, knots can just appear overnight or even while you groom him. I've got my cat used to clippers so that I can clip off any matts without having to take her to the vets. She doesn't mind them at all as long she gets to l**k some Marmite of my finger whilst I do it! Enjoy your cat

Answer 5

Congrats on your new addition!

My biggest piece of advice to you would be about food - because it's the basis of all health and wellness.

Cats were never meant to eat dry food, also known as cereals or kibble. We, humans, make them eat it for convenience to us. It has nothing to do with them or their nutritional needs. It's completely species inappropriate.

All small domestic cats descended from desert cats. In the wild, desert cats derive their entire liquid intake from their prey. They do not have a thirst mechanism because they don't need it when eating a species appropriate diet. They get all they need from what they eat. Additionally water was usually not available to them in their desert climate. So they do not often drink water. Regular ol' house cats have descended from those same wild desert cats.

So in a home environment, your kitty does not get the moisture it needs from dry food and it’s almost always in a constant state of dehydration. Water fountains are encouraged to TRY to get your cat to drink more and your kitty may even enjoy it, but it will never meet its water intake needs drinking from a bowl.

Deadly feline illnesses such as diabetes, kidney failure, obesity, allergies, Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD), bladder stones, kidney stones,  urinary tract blockages and Urinary Tract Infections (FLUTD), with and without deadly crystals run rampant these days. Cats are not taking in enough water to stave them off. Proper water intake through a species appropriate diet alone can prevent most of these conditions.

Overall,  wet is all around better for any cats diet, be it canned or Raw and they should never be fed dry cereal kibble if we wish to most closely match their wild nutritional and dietary needs. Kibble meets our needs… not our cats.

I recommend varying the diet with a constant rotation of accepted canned foods that your cat enjoys. If you do this, and allow your cat the same assortment they would have in nature when eating mice, bugs, birds and rabbits, your cats’ digestive system won't be so sensitive and you won't have to run around looking for a specific brand when your store is out. You will have a nice variety to choose from instead.

Canned foods I recommend for your rotation:

Nature's Variety - http://www.naturesvariety.com/content.la...

Wellness Grain Free Formula’s - http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/cat_welln...

By Nature Organics - http://www.bynaturepetfoods.com/productp...

Organix -  http://www.castorpolluxpet.com/store/org...

Evanger's Holistic Pheasant - http://www.evangersdogfood.com/cat/20089...

Evanger's Organic Braised Chicken - http://www.evangersdogfood.com/cat/50103...

Evanger's Turkey & Butternut Squash - http://www.evangersdogfood.com/cat/50111...

Answer 6

It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job so far.  One bit of advice that I will offer you is to make sure you keep his litter box very very clean.  Cats hate to get dirty, so he may not use it if it is dirty.  My favorite cat litter is the tidy cat clumping litter.  Also, they make a really neat litter box now that I just got that has a high back wall and a front door/hood that lifts up instead of unsnaps...it makes it so much easier to scoop the litter.  And this is nasty but long haired cats sometimes get p**p balls stuck in their long hair on their backside.  You may want to take him to the groomers just to get his back-end shaved.  Call him by his name constantly and he will learn his name.  And cats love to be scratched under the chin.  Oh and if he ever gets fleas you are going to want to buy him Advantage.  You can buy it on-line or at the Vet's office.  Never use over the counter flea treatment...it can be very harmful.  Cats are amazing pets so enjoy him :)

Answer 7

you should play him with and don't give him to much food  

Answer 8

Good for you.  He seems to be really happy to have a good home.  You may get a poster who insists that dry food is terrible, but it is not, just get a fountain to encourage him to drink more water.

And as far as food, look for meat as the first ingredient, and I tend to stick with brand names.  I feel in many cases you do get what you pay for.  If you switch foods, do it gradually, over perhaps a week, changing the proportions.  That way you avoid tummy upsets.

You mentioned comb, as that is good as long haired cats need more than just a brush.

Not all cats respond to catnip, as it is genetic, so don't be hurt if he doesn't like it.  If he does, don't give out too much at one time or he may get really goofy.

Cats like to be on things, and like to look out windows.  A cat tree often is a useful item to allow him to climb and play on.  Cats like to be up high, and a cat tree often does that for them.  Even without claws, he can probably leap pretty high.

Two litter boxes, if you have the space.  Cats often like to do one number in one litter box, and the other in another box.

Even though he is up do date on shots, it often is a good idea to have him seen by a vet, to start a program of exams and follow ups.  And, by having a vet, if a problem comes up, you have someone who knows your cat and has records.

Answer 9

I'd also recommend feeding a canned food - one that is high in protein & low in carbohydrates (ideal diet for healthy cats).  Canned foods have a lower carb content compared to dry foods & a canned diet increases water intake/urine output which is important for feline urinary health.    

Answer 10

Sounds like you are bonding well. All you have to do to take care of a cat is keep loving it, feed it well portioned meals twice a day, and make sure the litter box is cleaned regularly.  

Answer 11

Sounds like you're in business. Most cats hide for a few days to a week when they go to a new house and also for new owners.  If the cat is already coming up to you and sleeps in the bed, then you're doing a great job.

Answer 12

I would feed her a lot of high quality canned food too. Dry food gets stuck to their teeth and it's packed with corn,wheat,and other fillers.

ADD ON:

I feed my cat raw beef strips that are meant to be used in stir fry 3 days a week and felidae holistic dry food 4 days a week. I don't feed that much canned food, raw meat is a tad better. But for people with a weak stomach,canned is fine. The Wellness brand is good and you can get it at petco.

Answer 13

Sounds like your doing great so far.  

Answer 14

Spoil him!!! But be careful on what you feel him, because by him being indoors and neutered, the kitty will gain weight. Mine sure did. I always try to leave a radio or tv on on classical for him too when I'm not there. Mine is also a indoor, but i take him outside, but I watch him like a hawk. Congrats and good luck!!! Also get the hairball medicine for them. They love that. I hear you can also use Vasoline, but I don't know about using that.