The Essential Cat Feeding Handbook

1 The Essential Cat Feeding Handbook

We can estimate age from three aspects of a cat’s appearance:

1. Tooth growth: kittens get milk teeth at 2-3 weeks, full milk teeth at 4-5 months, and permanent teeth after 5 months.

2. Tooth wear (used for adult cats): at about 1 year the lower incisor tips start wearing; at about 5 the canine tips wear with aging signs; at about 7 the lower incisors become cylindrical; at about 10 the upper incisors fall or wear away.

3. Coat change: kittens grow a new coat at 6 months, so a full coat means over half a year old; at 1 year the coat is bright, vivid and soft; at about 5 it keeps some shine but less brilliance; at 6-7 white whiskers appear around the mouth; after 10 the coat turns dull, coarse and gray with white fur on the head and back.

Cat life essentials

To be a good owner you need supplies: cleaning items, outdoor items, cat food, bowls, litter, etc.

About the litter box

The litter box is used often and greatly affects your quality of life.

Number of boxes = number of cats + 1. Enough boxes ensure a good environment. Scoop at least daily or right after use, or the cat will go outside the box.

Ten human foods cats can eat

Since getting a cat, every meal is a risk of a raid, for fear of feeding something harmful.

Cats can eat some human foods; chicken breast is often made into pet cans. But avoid processed human food, and even safe foods in excess.

Cat stress-relief plants

The most used stress-relief plant is catnip.

Catnip’s aromatic oils stimulate skin nerves; when a cat is stressed or bored it feels good and becomes lively and excited.

Not all cats like catnip; if yours is indifferent, that is normal.

Never use catnip too often or in large amounts, and do not give it to kittens.

The cat’s forbidden fruits

Many things are unsafe: too stimulating, a choking risk, or allergenic. Peach has trace cyanide, dangerous to cats, causing vomiting, breathing trouble, hyperventilation and coma. Also dangerous are citrus, cherry, grape and carambola; accidental eating is fatal! Never let your cat eat these.