Cats kept in an apartment are, of course, pets. But we should never forget that they, along with lions, tigers, pumas, cheetahs and leopards, are representatives of the capricious and proud family of cats (mammals of the order of carnivores). Following the well-known expression that “a cat walks on its own,” and the fact that, unlike a dog, it is attached to the house rather than to its owner, it is quite possible to learn to live with it, eliminating the unpleasant consequences of keeping it .
Getting a cat in the apartment - which one and how
For most people, the question of “Should I have pets” is not an issue. Many people not only love our little brothers, but also cannot imagine their lives without them. But the question “Which cat to have in an apartment” takes many lovers of little “purrs” by surprise.
Someone deliberately takes an outbred animal, citing the fact that to create the desired comfort in the house, the cat’s pedigree is not at all necessary. And, on the contrary, by taking a mongrel brute into your home, you can save on its purchase and intentionally help in the adoption of a stray animal. But if you need an animal for breeding and participation in exhibitions, in order to receive prizes and well-deserved awards, then you should study the popular cat breeds that exist today.
Thus, Persian cats are picky and pampered, but have a very friendly character. Persian cats require special care because their fur is long, thick and fluffy. It needs to be brushed daily.
Siamese cats are very brave and temperamental, they know how to stand up for themselves and do not tolerate falsehood. Siamese are active and playful creatures. Contrary to popular belief, they are not evil at all, just unusually characteristic. Their coat is short and does not require special care.
The Kurilian Bobtail is also a cat, but with the soul of a real dog. This is expressed in the fact that they become very attached to their owner and even wag their tail. Bobtails are also smart and obedient, like dogs! According to its name, this breed originates from the Kuril Islands and therefore is absolutely not afraid of water. And her fur is special - it doesn’t get wet and doesn’t tangle. In addition, these “savages” have exceptional health, they do not “mark” in the apartment, do not smell at all and do not “yell.” Well, just the perfect option for a domestic cat!
The Maine Coon cat breed is very popular today. These are very large (up to 15 kg), neat, intelligent, affectionate and strong American cats with a friendly character. Although their coat is semi-long, it does not require as much care as that of the Persian. These cats' body length can reach 1.20 m. Therefore, they eat several times more than a regular cat. They love fresh food (meat, fish), but neglect dry food. The Maine Coon is an excellent hunter, and if you live in your own home, then with its appearance you will no longer see mice.
So, having decided on the cat breed, all that remains is to purchase it. We advise you not to buy a pet based on an advertisement in a newspaper, from random people, in underground passages or at a bird market. It is best to purchase a kitten in a club or in a specialized nursery, from a reputable breeder. And, although, even in this case, you will not be absolutely immune from the fact that in the future the cat may develop health problems or unwanted behavioral deviations, the likelihood of their occurrence will be minimized.
When choosing a kitten, pay attention to whether it is well-fed and active. Examine his eyes and ears. They should be dry and clean, without any discharge. The coat should not come out excessively, it should not be dull and brittle. Choose the fattest, smartest and most active kitten in the litter, and then you probably won’t go wrong.
Maine Coon
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Large cats, the weight of which can reach 12 kg, and the height at the withers - up to 40 cm. Despite the size and stern expression of the muzzle, Maine Coons are good-natured by nature. Cats of this breed have strong hunting qualities, so you should not allow kittens or adults to bite people on the arms and legs , even in play. In this case, you need to divert the cat's attention to something else or break off contact.
One of the most common diseases among Maine Coons is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy . This is a cardiac pathology, which can only be determined using a DNA test. Research of this kind is the duty of the breeder, who, when selling a kitten, can provide the test results to buyers.
But not all sellers want to spend money on tests. Therefore, sometimes owners find out about cardiomyopathy later. If the cat begins to choke, the color of its mucous membrane changes (the tongue turns from naturally pink to blue, white or purple), the animal cannot stand on its hind legs, screams in pain or the pulse is interrupted - you need to urgently go to the veterinary clinic. The help you provide in this case is meaningless and can lead to the death of the cat .
Another problem is bone fragility due to an unbalanced diet . The owners decide that natural food is better than what is sold in stores, and raise the animal on meat and cottage cheese. Such a diet is difficult to balance, and the cat’s body suffers because of this. It gets to the point where even a jump from a chair can result in a broken paw.
How to keep a cat in an apartment
Before the kitten arrives home, it is advisable to prepare everything in advance - equip him with an enclosure for cats, a sleeping place (this can be a small bed or a special “cat house”), a tray for relieving himself and bowls for feeding.
It is advisable to first feed the cat what she was fed by the breeder (do not forget to ask him about this in advance). Subsequently, you can experimentally identify your fluffy’s food preferences and feed him either dry food or “natural” food. If you feed your cat dry food, then she should always have a bowl of water available to her.
Today, many litters are made to fill cat litter; you can choose any of them according to your (and your cat’s) preferences, as well as cost. It is advisable to purchase special toys for the kitten (after all, he loves to play just like a small child).
After the baby gets comfortable in the new place, you need to wash him with a special cat shampoo and wipe him dry, being careful of hypothermia and drafts. Be sure to show your pet to a trusted veterinarian. This must be done regularly. The doctor will help you identify possible health problems in a timely manner and help solve them. The cat also needs to be given special antiparasitic drugs quarterly, requires annual vaccinations and, possibly, one-time sterilization (if you do not plan to breed). If the cat is healthy, socialized and educated, then maintenance problems, as a rule, do not arise. Otherwise, timely measures should be taken to resolve the problems that arise.
The fugitive has returned home
What if the cat left home, and after some time reappeared on its own doorstep? Didn't they bring with them the bad things they took away? No and no again! According to tradition, this event... means absolutely nothing! Just be glad that your favorite furry has found his way to you.
And even if you are mystically inclined, think about this: if the cat really disappeared, taking trouble away from you, would it come back, dragging it back on its tail? Of course not. Most likely, the reason for your pet’s spree was spring and ardent feelings for an animal of the opposite sex.
Content problems and methods for solving them
Problems with keeping cats are not particularly varied. As usual, they are similar for all lovers of tailed animals. These are problems with the toilet, smell and tattered furniture. So why do cats shit in the apartment?
There can be many reasons. Let's pay attention to some of them. So, the cat litter box should be located in a secluded, quiet (not a walk-through) place accessible to the cat. After the cat “does its business,” it needs to be put in order. If you have a tray in the form of a regular bath with filler, you need to use a spatula specially designed for this and remove the lumps that have formed.
Or, if it is a tray with a removable grid (without filler), then it should be washed.
Cats are very clean animals and need a clean toilet. They simply won’t want to go into dirty ones. And thus, the problem of unpleasant odor will be solved for you. Indeed, today you can find on sale a special absorbent filler with a fragrance, which not only absorbs odors, but also emits a pleasant aroma itself.
It is necessary to accustom a kitten to the litter tray immediately after it arrives in the house. To do this, you can take a cloth from the breeder moistened with his secretions and place it in the place where you plan to organize the cat's litter box. If the child “missed the mark” and went to the wrong place, you need to show him this and explain in a stern voice that this cannot be done. And then take him to the litter box and praise him if he defecates there. The place where the kitten has pooped must be thoroughly washed with some kind of detergent (preferably with bleach or vinegar) and sprayed with a special anti-gad product, sold in pet stores. By the way, there you can also buy a “shit here” product for the toilet and a preparation for treating walls against stripping them with cat claws.
A scratching post should be attached to the cat's favorite place for scratching. Nowadays, pet stores even sell scratching posts that even the most picky cats dream of sharpening their claws on, since they are specially treated with a special composition that attracts cats.
Thus, you can not only ensure the full maintenance of cats in the apartment and eliminate unpleasant consequences for the owners of sharing with them, but also get the great joy of communicating with these wonderful pets.
Scottish fold
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The Scottish Fold is close to the British - the same cardiomyopathy, polycystic kidney disease . The breed is distinguished by osteochondrodystrophy of Scottish cats. Simply put, problems with paws . In a cat suffering from this disease, the bone joints grow. The paws become hard, as if swollen. Because of this, the animal begins to limp and its gait becomes constrained. Even the tail changes - it turns into a squiggle, a thickening appears.
Osteochondrodystrophy has no cure. The animal is forced to live on painkillers, because without drugs it is difficult for him to walk and jump. The disease is inherited from parents and can be detected in advance with a test. Externally, kittens predisposed to the disease do not differ from healthy ones.
Reluctance to take responsibility
Not everyone is ready for responsibility, be it purchasing an animal or having a child. Some people would rather spend a free evening going to the cinema or going out of town than spending it in the company of a cat.
Any pet, be it a cat, a dog or even a hamster, is a big responsibility and a significant financial investment. People who are not ready to spend money on good food or vaccinations for their pet prefer not to purchase an animal. They value their comfort, so the pet can become a burden.
Sleepless nights
Cats are night hunters. High activity in the dark is the norm for them. This also affects the owners. Cats not only need to run and jump to the ceiling, but also do it in the company of their best friend - you.
You lay down to sleep after a hard week of work. Be prepared that at four o'clock in the morning the cat will come asking to play and will express it with loud meows and stomps throughout the apartment. He managed to get enough sleep during the day, so he is young, handsome and full of energy, which cannot be said about the tired owner.
We recommend reading: What to do if your dog is sneezing and has green snot running out of it. Or cough and clear snot. How to treat, causes,
Of course, this doesn't always happen. There are animals whose breed is characterized by laziness and silence. They would rather take a nap next to their owner or just walk around the apartment, examining every corner.
People who have heard about this feature of four-legged robbers prefer not to have problems with their sleep and rest patterns. There is nothing to blame them for, because work can sometimes suck out the remaining strength, even leaving no time for yourself.
