Cat at home

It is still not known exactly when the cats (Félis silvéstris cátus) began to live next to a man. Scientists talk about more than ten thousand years of successful partnership between humans and perfect predators – hunters of mouse-like rodents – cats. The partnership between man and the ancestors of the modern cat began with the transition of people to a sedentary life, the appearance of food stores and the need to protect them from mice and rats. For cats, however, a high concentration of rodent pests in human settlements, on the contrary, was very beneficial, since cats could hunt a small area with a high degree of efficiency – while at the same time benefiting people and, therefore, without causing aggression. Gradually, the cat has become one of the most important pets, and today shares the first place in popularity with the dog.

For a long period of domestication, the wild nature of cats has hardly changed. The physiology, anatomy and psychology of cats are still very similar to their ancestors – one of the most effective predators in the world. To create your cat a comfortable living environment in the house, while taking care of the health and welfare of the animal, it is important to know some rules. We will talk about them in this article.
How to prepare a house for the appearance of a cat?
It should be remembered that before the appearance of the house a kitten or an already adult cat you will need to make certain preparations:

• domestic cats are curious, so it is necessary to remove all toxic substances and sharp objects (pins, needles, nails, etc.);

• more dangerous for cats are open windows, unprotected with nets – falling out of the windows in the summer, unfortunately, is quite common. Danger and windows of folding type are potentially dangerous – a pet can get stuck in them and get a crushed chest injury;

• Most likely, you will not be able to influence the habit of cats to live in three dimensions. So just remove fragile items that a cat can easily drop (by accident or on purpose), and give your pet some freedom of movement;

• Be sure to buy a cat house – a place where she would feel absolutely safe. This is especially important if other animals live at home, which can disturb the cat during sleep;

• it is necessary to buy a special scraper; we recommend purchasing several pieces and placing them in convenient places for the animal;

• the cat should have a place for toilet, located separately from the places of food and drink;

• it is necessary to provide the cat with free access to drinking water. It is better that the pet has several sources of drinking water (2-3), and they should be located so that food cannot get there. Pay attention to the specialized fountains and quality bowls-drinkers. It is better if the drinker is ceramic or metal, not too small. Fresh water should be available to the pet 24 hours a day. We recommend using bottled water and regularly replacing it, regardless of whether the pet drank all the water or not;

• Finally, it is advisable to purchase special toys for the cat. It is better to buy them in specialized stores.
The life expectancy of domestic cats
The average life expectancy of domestic cats is almost twice as long as that of wild cats, and is 14–17 years old. It must be remembered that the “average life expectancy” captures both cats who have lived a short life and those long-livers who pass the 20-year milestone.

How many years your cat has lived, the level of veterinary services provided to the animal, the quality of food, and, of course, genetic factors greatly influence.
How to care for a cat at home?
Caring for a cat at home is usually not very difficult, here are some basic tips:

• vaccination. Must be produced annually, even if your cat does not go out of the house anywhere;

• treatment for fleas and ticks, as well as helminths – at least twice a year, despite the fact that the cat does not happen on the street, it can become infected with endo- and ectoparasites brought from the street on shoes or clothes, and such procedures do not will become Remember that all the drugs that you will use against worms, ticks and fleas must be discussed without fail with your veterinarian;

• You should castrate your pet or not – it’s up to you. At the moment, the castration procedure is carried out effectively and safely in the veterinary blade or even at home. The only thing you need to know is that the procedure is associated with anesthesia, and although the risk is minimal, you still need to do all the necessary tests.
Skin and hair care
Shorthair cats are the least whimsical in the issue of grooming and almost all the hygiene of the skin and wool is maintained by themselves. Wool of semi-long and long-haired cats requires maximum care. It consists in regular (best daily) combing of the wool and combing of the dead hairs. Movement should be soft and smooth, so as not to give the animal discomfort.