Nobody likes to use a dirty bathroom, which is why it’s important to scoop out your cat’s litter box at least twice a day, preferably every time your cat uses the box, but especially after meal times.

If you have more than one cat, a good rule of thumb is to have one box per cat.

Avoid scented litters, since cats are sensitive to smells. Place the litter pan well away from the cat’s feeding area and in a place that is quiet and feels

“Safe” To Your Cat.

Any cat who is urinating outside the litter box should be taken to a veterinarian right away to rule out a urinary tract infection, which is very common and can be fatal, especially in male cats, who can become “blocked” and die from a build-up of toxins very quickly. If a urinary tract infection is ruled out, your cat may be unhappy with the cleanliness of the pan (or lack thereof) the type of litter used, the location, or with the box itself (some cats prefer covered boxes and vice versa).

Dinner Is Served

It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how easy it is to forget to check your cats water, clean her bowls, and feed her twice a day. Cats are finicky— they won’t drink dirty water—but if they eat kibble, they will need plenty of water to prevent urinary tract infections.

Kibble shouldn’t be the cat’s sole food and it doesn’t have to be in a cat’s diet at all. Canned or homemade food is more palatable and will help add moisture to the diet to help prevent a urinary tract infection.

Clawing

The best way to save your furniture is to provide lots of “approved” places to scratch. Sisal cat “trees” and posts, cardboard scratching boxes and those ingenious “cat tracks” (a ball in a circular plastic tunnel surrounding a cardboard scratching pad) are big hits. Sprinkle catnip on them weekly to keep cats interested and be sure to replace cardboard inserts when they get worn out.

Trim your cat’s claws once every two weeks, you just have to remove the sharp “hook” at the end.

Making Fleas Flee

Fleas don’t just make cats uncomfortable, they can also cause skin allergies and tapeworm infestations (when cats ingest fleas through grooming). Cats who stay indoors are less likely to get fleas, but they can still catch them from you if you accidentally bring fleas inside on your pants or shoes. Monthly treatments with flea killers aren’t necessary unless you see fleas on your cat, nor are baths with hazardous insecticidal shampoos (since soap and water alone kill fleas). A nontoxic alternative to flea poisons is to use a flea comb, which catches the fleas in its fine teeth and then dunk the fleas into a container of soapy water or put them in a container in the freezer.

Get To The Vet!

Spaying and neutering doesn’t just prevent the births of unwanted kittens, it also prevents cancer of the reproductive organs and, if performed before the cat reaches sexual maturity (at about 5 to 6 months old), can also prevent other cancers, such as breast and prostate cancer.

Any cat who is acting lethargic or grouchy, has diarrhoea or frequent vomiting, isn’t eating, or is having accidents outside the litter box should be taken to the vet right away. Even minor illnesses can turn fatal if not treated and regular check ups can prevent or catch diseases before they become serious.