Cats are popular pets for many reasons. They’re affectionate, loyal & playful, and they fit well into any household.
A recent survey found that 45.3 million American households have cats, which means there’s a good chance you know someone who has one. In 2021, 648,000 cats were adopted from rescue or shelters in the U.S., as per Statista. That means there are a lot of people out there raising cats, so it’s important to know how to care for your furry friend throughout their life stages.
If you’ve committed to caring for your cat through different life stages, it’s important to understand what those stages are and what they mean for your cat.
Kitten
Kittens are the most adorable and playful of all cats. When you first owned a cat, this must be the first stage you could have come across. Nearly 14.1% of adults in the US have plans to own a cat soon. Whether you’re thinking about adopting a kitten or already have one, there are some things that you should know about caring for them.
First, you’ll need to make sure that your kitten is healthy before bringing her into your home. In order to do it, take her to a veterinarian just after you adopt her. She’ll need vaccinations and some tests so that she can be cleared for entry into most states.
Once you’ve gotten your kitty checked out, here are a few ways to care for her:
- Make sure she has plenty of food and water at all times. This time can also be utilized to teach her how to drink from a bowl.
- Be sure that there are no hazards in your home, like electrical wires that could hurt her if she gets too curious about them when you’re not looking.
- Make sure she has toys and other things to play with so she doesn’t get bored while alone at home with nothing else available for entertainment.
Junior Cat
Junior cats are typically between the ages of 7 months and 24 months old, and they’re still learning how to be a cat. That’s why junior cats need even more of your love and attention than adult cats do.
According to a survey, roughly 29% of adults in the US owned a cat in 2022. This figure indicates that it is important for cat owners to learn how to care for their cats at different stages of their lives, particularly when they become junior cats.
There are some ways in which you can love and care for your junior cat:
- Provide your junior cat with plenty of toys to play with, including ropes, balls, and stuffed animals.
- Keep an eye on your junior cat’s diet because she might be more likely than adults to overeat or eat foods that aren’t good for them. Also, make sure she gets enough exercise in this phase.
- Pick up after yourself so that you don’t leave behind any litter or other waste products that might attract pests or other dangerous creatures into your home and scare off your junior cat.
Adult Cat
Having an adult cat brings a lot of challenges, leaving cat owners wondering how to care for it. As your cat enters this phase, she will become more vulnerable to developing many health issues. One of the most prevalent conditions that adult cats tend to develop is skin problems.
A recent study found that among cats brought to the dermatology department at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals, 22% had signs of two distinct skin diseases, and 6% had three. This means that there are a lot of cats out there who need help with their skin problems, and your cat could be one of them.
Triple Antibiotic Ointment for cats can help in dealing with skin issues like itching and redness. This ointment contains three types of antibiotics that work well against bacteria on the skin of your cat.
Moreover, Triple Antibiotic Ointment is great for treating minor cuts and scratches that your cat gets while playing or running around outside. It will help prevent infection and promote healing in the affected area.
In addition, these issues can be prevented by maintaining proper hygiene and diet. You can take better care of your adult cat with the help of the tips given below:
- Keep the litter box clean: Cats are very sensitive to their environment, and they can be stressed out if there is too much clutter around them. Keeping the litter box clean is important because it helps to keep your pet healthy. You should also consider getting a self-cleaning litter box so that you don’t have to do it yourself every day.
- Give them exercise: Adult cats need exercise just like other animals do. They need playtime every day so that they don’t get bored or depressed during the winter months when it’s cold outside, and nobody wants to go outside anyway. You can even set up an obstacle course for them inside your house if you want them to run around more often than usual.
- Feed them properly: Just like humans need healthy food in order for their bodies to function properly, so do cats need nutritious meals as well.
Mature Cat
Mature cats are known to change their behavior as they grow older. As the cat ages, it will start acting differently and may seem to be experiencing physical changes.
In a study published on Frontiers, roughly 53% of cat owners observed physical changes, 41% observed changes in eating patterns, 47% reported behavioral changes, and 40% witnessed activity changes in mature cats.
These figures imply that most pet owners witness a change in their cat’s physical appearance and behavior as she ages. Pet owners need to understand these changes and know how to deal with them if they occur.
The good news is that you can take the following steps to maintain your cat’s safety and health as she ages:
Health Check-Ups
Schedule regular veterinary checkups with your veterinarian. Your cat should be seen by a veterinarian at least once every six months to make sure she’s in good health. If you don’t know when your cat last had a checkup, schedule one right away so the doctor can give her an exam and run any necessary tests.
Diet and Nutrition
It’s important to feed your mature cat a healthy diet that meets her nutritional needs throughout life stages. As cats age, they need fewer calories per pound than they did when they were younger because they’re not active as much. Make sure to feed your mature cat premium dry or canned food with high-quality ingredients such as meat protein from poultry or fish.
Senior Cat
As your cat ages, you may notice her needs change. For example, you might find that she has trouble jumping onto high surfaces or that they’re more prone to accidents in the litter box.
It’s important to keep an eye on your senior cat and make adjustments as needed so that she can continue living comfortably and happily. The following tips can help you to keep the health of your senior cat intact:
- Keep them active with toys and food puzzles. A cat’s sense of smell becomes less acute as they age, so add new scents to their toys and food every few months to keep them interested.
- Monitor their weight. Older cats tend to lose muscle mass as they age, which means they need fewer calories than younger cats do. Keep track of how much they eat each day so you know if they’re eating enough or not getting enough nutrients from their diet alone, then adjust accordingly.
Final Thoughts
Caring for your cat through the different stages of life is a journey that takes time, patience, and love. With these three things, you can ensure that your cat enjoys a happy and healthy life through every life phase.
However, the most crucial thing to keep in mind is that cats have different needs depending on their stage of development. You need to understand what those needs are to keep them healthy and happy.
