Here are 10 Pet Care Tips you can follow to help keep your kitty companions healthy and happy!

1. Provide fresh water daily! Clean, fresh water is essential for your cat’s good health, preferably non-chlorinated. If your cat doesn’t seem to drink well from a bowl, consider providing her with a cat fountain. Never give food or water in plastic bowls (ceramic, glass or stainless steel are best). Be sure to replenish the water with a fresh supply every day and clean the bowl regularly.

2. Be certain you have the correct number of Litter Boxes! A general rule of thumb according to the professionals is to have one litter pan for each cat plus one more. For example, if you have 3 cats, you should have 4 litter boxes. To encourage good litter box habits (cats will not use full or smelly pans) keep the litter boxes clean. Scooping morning and evening is a good plan to follow. Regular cleaning will also help you notice any changes in your cat’s urine or stool, which could indicate a health issue (refusal to use a clean box is often caused by a medical issue requiring a trip to your Vet). The litter should be unscented and the pans should be placed in a quiet, easy to access location. Avoid moving the box once your cat has gotten used to the location. Dump all litter, wash with an unscented detergent and refill at least once a month. (NEVER use ammonia, harsh cleaners or scented detergents when cleaning the litter box.)

3. Provide multiple Scratching Posts and trim nails regularly! Surfaces for scratching will help to prevent damage to your furniture, and it will also meet an instinctual need in your cat. It also allows your cat stretch their muscles and keep their claws from becoming over-grown. Regular scratching on an appropriate surface (posts, rugs, trees, hanging boards, etc.) remove the old layers from your cat’s claws. Cutting your cat’s nails every 3 or 4 weeks will keep them relatively blunt and less likely to harm people or furniture. (You can use a human toenail clipper and never cut into the pink, or a nail trimming tool designed for cats).

4. Cats love to play and need regular play time to keep them occupied and healthy! Toy mice, balls, feathers, crumpled paper, cat spring and even empty boxes make for great amusement. Playthings needn’t be expensive (they can even be homemade), just make sure there are enough toys and attention to keep your cat happy, active, and mentally engaged…..so they are less likely to get into mischief or become overweight.

5. Be sure your cats get plenty of moist food! Wet/canned food helps keep their kidneys, bladder and urinary tract healthy. Where would your cat get dry food in nature? When they get a diet of mostly dry food it eventually takes a toll on their health. Note: Cats have limited ability to digest carbohydrates, so grain-free foods are the best.

6. Never give your cat any medicine of any kind unless recommended by a Vet or other Professional! Cats are very sensitive to perfumes, chemicals, essential oils, various plants and similar things. For example, did you know that acetaminophen, xylitol, lillies and aspirin can be FATAL to a cat?! Keep mouse poison or other rodenticides away from your cat. If you suspect that your animal has ingested a poisonous substance, call your emergency vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for 24-hour animal poison information at (888) 426-4435.

7. You must “earn” a cats trust! Keep in mind that cats are very different from dogs and one very significant difference is that you must EARN a cats trust, where puppies tend to trust everyone. Leaving their home, traveling and meeting a new family can be stressful for some cats. It can take time for some cats/kittens to adapt to their new environment and family. Please be patient and comforting and don’t introduce them to other animals till they have had time to adjust.

8. Cats get healthy benefits from green grasses! Planting Cat Grass (wheat or barley grass) in planters is incredibly easy and provides an element of good health for your cat that cannot be gained any other way. In nature they will eat a little grass nearly every day. Put your planters in a sunny spot and watch your cat chew the goodness out of it.

9. An extremely beneficial supplement for your cats is Pet Probiotics. Probiotics (good bacteria) are one of the most important nutrients you can give your cat. It aids in digestion, immune function and more. Sprinkle/mix a pet probiotic as directed on the kitty food every 3-4 days to help with digestive and immune health. If your pet has been through a surgery or a sickness you can give the recommended dosage daily for a while to help build them back up.

10. Remember to take your feline friend to your Veterinarian for yearly wellness checks or if he or she seems to be feeling unwell for more than 12 hrs.