December 28, 2017 |6 min read
How to Be a Better Cat Parent in 2018
Written by
Cat Litter That Prioritizes Their
Health & Your Happiness.
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Ahhh, New Year’s resolutions - a long-standing tradition for us humans. But your cat wants in on the goal-setting fun, too!
The New Year means it's time for upping your game as a pet parent. All those things you've been putting off... now's the time to act.
To make it easier on you, we’ve put together an at-a-glance 6-month calendar including all the things you should be doing to make your cat's life better and help her live healthier and happier.
January
Time to call your vet! Unless your fur baby had a check-up in the last three months, it’s time to schedule an appointment. Get on your vet’s calendar and go in ready to ask some important questions, like whether your cat may be at risk for feline leukemia and if the vaccination is right for her.
In addition to ensuring your little one is up to date on all her cat vaccinations, be sure to ask your veterinarian whether she’s at a healthy cat weight. A healthy, average cat weight is around 10 pounds for most domestic breeds. However, some cats may have higher or lower ideal weights depending on their breed and age.
If your vet says your cat is overweight, it may be time to look into some cat weight loss plans. Just like 21 percent of Americans in 2017, your cat’s New Year’s Resolution should be to lose weight and eat healthier.
This means:
- Figuring out how many calories per day your cat needs - We love this cat calorie calculator.
- Looking up how many calories your cat’s food contains - You can do a search on the “Food” tab if your packaging doesn’t give you details. If you still can’t find a calorie count, feed your cat based on the package’s recommended daily serving for your cat’s ideal weight.
- Deciding on a balanced feeding schedule - We recommend a half of her daily calories in the morning and the other half in the evening. Reduce one serving slightly if you also give your cat treats.
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Increasing your cat’s activity level - We love this interactive cat feeder as easy ways to get your feline friend up and moving.
February
Spring is just around the corner, which means pesky critters like fleas and ticks will be in full swing. Stock up on your cat’s flea and tick medication now so you’re ready when Fluffy needs a dose.
If your cat likes to spend time outdoors, be sure to check with your veterinarian to find out if she needs any additional preventative health medications.
March
Did you get a PrettyLitter 3-month subscription for Christmas? Lucky you! Now that you’ve seen PrettyLitter in action, it’s time to renew your subscription so you never run out of the best health indicator tool for your cat.
March is also spring cleaning month! If your cat spends much of his time indoors, it’s time to do a sweep. Look around your home for anything that can be hazardous to your kitty. Over the year, it’s easy to pick up plants, gadgets, and cleaning supplies and forget that they may not be good for your four-legged baby.
Check out this list of harmful plants and this article on dangerous indoor chemicals. And don’t forget to always put away the Pine-Sol and Mr. Clean where Kitty can’t get to them.
April
Time to check in on those New Year’s resolutions! Has your cat been able to drop the weight? Has she been exercising more and eating fewer treats? If so, time to celebrate! Treat yourself and your cat to a fun new toy. If not, you may need to check in with your veterinarian to troubleshoot your cat weight loss plan.
May
Now’s the time of year when we start gearing up for all those big, exciting summer vacations. If you’ll be traveling this summer and you plan to leave your cat at your local animal hospital or boarding facility while you’re away, be sure to update Fluffy’s cat vaccination records.
Most boarding facilities - and all of the good ones - require your cat be up-to-date on all of her shots before joining the slumber party. Call your vet’s office and ask if there are any cat shots that need to be updated.
June
June is “Perfect Cat Smiles” month! OK, we made that one up. But it is the perfect time to round out your cat’s healthy annual routine with a dental check-up. Cats can fall prey to dental problems if they go without a good clean every once in awhile - just like us humans.
If you have a cooperative cat, you may want to keep a dental hygiene kit like this one around the house. If your cat isn’t as fond of playing dentist with you, book a teeth cleaning appointment with your veterinarian and stock up on these teeth-cleaning treats for between visits.
When June’s almost through, we recommend starting this calendar back at the top and repeating each month’s checklist for July through December.
Now go enjoy the New Year’s celebrations with your feline friend!
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