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A Guide to Getting a Cat • by Xanti Age 9

How to Take Care of Your Cat


First Thing's First


1. Before you get a cat you must plan everything like...where its going to live, whether its going to be indoors or outdoors (depending on where you live), set up a vet, and find the right food and partner.


2. Every single type of trouble for your cat. The bad news about outdoors is that there could be mountain lions, coyotes, ticks, or fleas. Sometimes fleas lead to parasites, and other dangerous bugs. Indoors has dangers as well but not as bad. Your cat might hop on the counter and shatter a plate or a wine glass (sorry, always the wine glass, I don't know why!), or just take a little swim in the toilet and then completely regret it, or trip you at the worst moment when you're carrying a hot dish. Watch out!!!! Timber!!!! Incoming!!!!! So...close the bathroom door.


3. Consider getting two cats because they will be happier together, but if they are not from the same litter introduce them slowly.


Health


Just like humans, it's important for cats to stay healthy. Depending on your cat's weight, follow the directions on the food label to know how much food to feed your cat. If your cat does not like using a water bowl, consider trying a cat fountain or a moving water contraption (get creative!).

To make sure your cat is in good hands, you will need to have a veterinarian you trust. When you get a cat, your vet will tell you when to come to have your cat get vaccines and get spayed or neutered. These procedures can prevent some cancers and overpopulation.. Take your cat to the vet for regular check-ups and if any of these signs occur. Be sure to use a cat carrier to take your cat in the car. Warning: cats are very intelligent and they might pick the carrier lock! (I don't know how they do it. They're experts!) Consult with your vet about hairball medication if it seems like you cat can't vomit it up on its own.

It's important to have something for your cat to scratch on. For example, a scratching post, extra cardboard, or an old rug can help cats stretch their muscles and keep their claws healthy. Treat your cat's health as if it was your own.


Funny Things Cats Do


Cats can be naughty little creatures. These are some of the predicaments they might cause. If you get two cats, they might want to wrestle over who gets to sleep on the comfy bed, but don't worry! They're not going to kill each other. Depending on how much fur your cat has on its paws and if your house has a wood floor, your cat might run and slide across it. All cats have fur on their paws, unless you have a hairless cat, then, well, ya know, no...hair. Cats love to chase string. Most will try to grab balloon strings on your birthday so...BE CAREFUL!


Physical Features


Cats are beautiful creatures. They come in all colors, shapes, and sizes. Cat colors include black, white, red, blue, grey, cream, brown, cinnamon, and fawn. Most cats are tabby, which is a mix of grey, black, and white. White coat color comes from a white-spotting gene that doesn't allow the organization of color cells in the fur. They usually weigh between 5 and 20 pounds. Did you know that a cat's tail helps them to balance?


Diet


Cats eat meat naturally but diet changed when humans began feeding. Cats can't eat fish everyday. They need other foods to get the nutrients they require like turkey, chicken, beef, and lamb, as well as grains. Cats eat grass because their distant ancestors need to get rid of parasites by strengthening their intestinal muscles but scientists think they don't have those parasites anymore even though they still eat grass.


Short and Long Term Memory


Cats are very intelligent. They have amazing memories and can remember almost everything. Short-term memories are the simple and basic things your cats takes a record of every day. When cats eat they remember the location of where they were fed. Cats will grieve when someone they love dies. They might lose their appetite, not want to play, or go outside their litter box. Repetition makes longer lasting memories. Traumatic events can create grudges in cats that they can hold on to for a very long time. They also remember very positive events like their owner who treats them well.


Communication


Cats use many different ways to express their needs through verbal and active communication. One of the most common ways cats communicate is by meowing. Kittens meow for their mother when they are cold, hungry, or scared. Other times when they meow include when they are looking for their friend, they want attention, they are hungry, they want to get in or out somewhere, they are sick, or lonely. Cats hiss when they're scared or angry. Cats sometimes hiss when they see other big cats, but if they are really scared, they won't. Cats purr when they're surrounded by love and it means that they are happy. Some research shows that the low frequency vibrations when they purr can help them heal. Trilling is a chirp-like noise for getting attention or making a greeting. Chattering it is usually a sign of when they are preparing to kill their prey. It sounds like a bird squawking. There are two actions that are more uncommon than the rest. The first is using their claws and waste to mark their territory. The second is yowling when they don't want another cat in their territory or they are in pain.


Sleep Habits


Ever seen your cat yawn? Don't worry. Most cats sleep 12 to 16 hours a day but it depends on the cat. If the cat is a kitten or an elder it may sleep longer. They sleep a lot to: 1. Digest diets high in protein 2. Preserve energy.

Historical Facts


Once upon a time, cats got the attention of Ancient Egyptians by killing rodents that raided their farms and ate their food stock. And so, they became allies with ancient Egyptians and ultimately they destroyed those evil, greedy rodents that did not have any respect for the Egyptians!


Did you know? Cats domesticated with Ancient Egyptians as early as 4,000 years ago.


Fun Facts


Scientific name: Felis Catus

Did you know? Their tail helps cats balance.

Did you know? Cats can jump 6 times their own height!

Mandatory Requirements


Cats are very clean creatures. They do not like to go in a dirty litter box, so make sure to scoop the poop when it's there. Also, change the litter in the box every 7 days. If your cat pees or poops outside the litter box, it may be a sign of trauma or a health issue.


Works Cited (Learn more here)



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