Cat at home: caring for a domestic cat in an apartment

It is still unknown exactly when cats (Félis silvéstris cátus) began to live next to humans. Scientists talk about more than ten thousand years of successful partnership between people and perfect predators - hunters of mouse-like rodents - cats. The partnership between humans and the ancestors of the modern cat began with the transition of people to sedentary life, the emergence of food storage and the need to protect them from mice and rats. For cats, the high concentration of rodent pests in human settlements, on the contrary, was very beneficial, since cats could hunt in a small area with a high degree of efficiency - at the same time bringing benefits to people, and therefore without causing aggression towards themselves. Gradually, the cat became one of the most important pets, and today it shares first place in popularity with the dog.

Over the long period of domestication, the wild nature of cats has remained almost unchanged. 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 a comfortable living environment for your cat in your home, while simultaneously taking care of the health and well-being of the animal, it is important to know some rules. We will talk about them in this article.

How to prepare your home for a cat?

It should be remembered that before bringing a kitten or an adult cat home, 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.);
Open windows unprotected by nets pose a great danger to cats - falling from windows in the summer, unfortunately, is quite common. Hinged windows also pose a potential danger - a pet can get stuck in them and receive a compressed chest injury;
You probably won't be able to change your cat's habit of living in three dimensions. Therefore, simply remove fragile objects that the cat can easily drop (accidentally or on purpose), and provide the pet with some freedom of movement;
Be sure to buy your cat a house - a place where she would feel absolutely safe. This is especially important if there are other animals at home that can disturb the cat while sleeping;
you also need to buy a special scratching post; we recommend purchasing several pieces and placing them in convenient places for the animal;
the cat should have a place for the toilet, located separately from places where it eats and drinks;
A cat at home needs free access to drinking water. It is better that your pet has several sources of drinking water (2-3), and they should be placed so that food cannot get there. Pay attention to specialized fountains and high-quality drinking bowls. 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 replacing it regularly, regardless of whether your pet has drunk all the water or not;
Finally, it is advisable to purchase special toys for your cat. It is better to buy them in specialized stores.

Signs about the road

A sign known to everyone: a black cat crossed the road - to failure, there will be no way. You need to go back, take another road, or wait until someone passes first. If a person is about to leave the house or entrance, but suddenly hears a loud meow, he must return and wait a while, otherwise an accident will happen on the road.

If you are going to go somewhere, even for a short time, you need to ask your pet to save the house from uninvited guests, fire and other troubles. To do this, you should gently stroke him and say: “I’m leaving, and you stay at home, protect our home from harm!” The animal will fulfill the request by calling on its ally, the brownie, for help.

Before a long trip, people usually pack their bags. If the cat climbs and lies down in it, it means the journey will be easy and fun. If the fluffy one interferes with packing things or tries to throw them out of the suitcase, departure should be postponed. If this is not possible, you need to be especially careful on the road - meetings with unkind people, robbery, loss of property and other troubles are possible.

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. Should be done annually, even if your cat never leaves the house;
treatment for fleas and ticks, as well as helminths - at least twice a year, despite the fact that the cat does not go outside, it can become infected with endo- and ectoparasites carried from the street on shoes or clothes, and such procedures will definitely not be unnecessary . Remember that all drugs that you will use against worms, ticks and fleas must be discussed with your veterinarian;
Whether you should neuter your pet or not is up to you to decide. At the moment, the castration procedure is carried out effectively and safely in a veterinary clinic or even at home. The only thing you need to know is that the procedure involves anesthesia, and although the risk is minimal, you still need to do all the necessary tests.

If your cat is curious and not afraid, take her for a walk

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This is not for every cat, but if you see that the kitten is brave and not afraid of strangers, it might be worth a try. It is clear that the cat must be on a leash (so as not to run away: the city is full of irritants that frighten animals), and not just on a leash, but on a harness - a special harness for cats that will not damage its neck or cause discomfort.

It is naturally better to walk in the park, on the grass or in the forest, if they are nearby. Before walks, it is necessary to have all vaccinations for walking cats (vaccination against panleukopenia viruses, herpesvirus (viral rhinotracheitis), calicivirus and rabies, and others, if necessary), as well as courses against the appearance of worms.

At the dacha, the cat is more at ease; there you can do without harnesses. Cats are very smart and have excellent spatial awareness. It is unlikely that your pet will get lost or disappear, even if it jumps over a fence. But it’s better to make sure that the cat walks only on its six hundred square meters. This way, risks are minimized, and all that remains is a good mood, exercise and health for the pet.

Skin and coat care

Short-haired cats are the least demanding when it comes to grooming and maintain almost all the hygiene of their skin and coat themselves. The coat of semi-longhaired and longhaired cats requires maximum care. It consists of regular (preferably daily) combing of the coat and combing out dead hairs. Movements should be soft and smooth so as not to cause discomfort to the animal.

If your cat has tangles, you can try to untangle them with your fingers. If it doesn’t work out, then it’s best to use a special tool – a tangle cutter. By carefully combing the wool with its metal plates, you can successfully deal with even neglected tangles.

Grooming your cat is a task for a professional groomer, especially if you want to give the animal some kind of hairstyle, and we are not talking about just a hygienic haircut, as, for example, in the summer. Long-haired and semi-long-haired cats are usually cut using special professional animal clippers. If you decide to cut your cat’s hair yourself, a lot will depend on the character and upbringing of the pet. Grooming some cats at home is almost impossible or dangerous for both the owner and the animal. And although there are animals that are calm about this procedure, you will in any case need an assistant who will hold the cat and a specialized clipper.

Some cats are terrified of clippers; such animals should only be cut at a veterinary clinic or grooming salon.

Haircut tips:

using a machine, remove hair from the sides, back and belly of the pet. With great care and a secure hold, the cat's belly and perineum are trimmed;
trim the fur in the armpit area. Afterwards, the croup and torso are cut from behind;
the tail is either not cut at all, or a “tassel” is left at the end;
carefully trim the hair on the paws;
The head is cut last, usually simply shaped with safe scissors, rounded at the ends.

A cat must have a shelter, and more than one

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Cats consider the entire apartment to be their territory. If strangers come (your friends whom the cat has not seen before), most cats are frightened by uninvited guests, treat them with caution and try in every possible way to hide from them.

They hide anywhere in secluded places: under the bed, behind a thick curtain, under the bathroom, they crawl into any cracks and sometimes try to get into places where it is physically impossible to squeeze in. Give them this chance!

Domestic cats also often undergo nail trimming.

It is necessary to accustom your pet to trimming its claws from a young age, gradually introducing it to this procedure, at first only by touching its claws during communication, then gradually adding a nail clipper or blister. If your animal has not been accustomed to the procedure of trimming its claws since childhood, then trimming its claws will be quite difficult, and almost impossible for one person, without putting the pet into a stressful state and without injuring the pet. In this case, the best solution would be to contact a veterinary clinic or grooming salon.

If you do do this yourself, make sure the cat is in a supportive mood, pet it, then gently restrain the animal with the help of an assistant and, pressing on the pad of the paw, expose the claws. Using special safety pliers or blisters (available in pet stores), trim the claws. Do not cut too short; you must leave a few millimeters to the “living” claw. Do not use blunt instruments or regular nail scissors. At the end of circumcision, the claw is processed with a nail file at the cut site.

Signs about cat behavior

By observing how an animal behaves, you can learn about future events. The most famous signs associated with cat behavior:

If there is a baby in the house, and the cat stubbornly climbs into his stroller or crib, you should not chase her away. A small child is defenseless against evil spirits, especially in a dream, and a mustachioed guard will protect him and ward off otherworldly forces.
A cat sneezes next to a young couple - a sign that promises them a quick wedding. There is another interpretation - the animal sneezes, foreshadowing illness to those who hear it. In this case, you need to tell him: “Be healthy!” in order to neutralize the negative prediction.
The pet washes itself, sitting with its muzzle towards the front door - for the visit of guests.
The pet comes to the owner’s bed, tries to settle down next to his head - probably the person is worried about something, worried. The furry friend wants to calm him down and drive away dark thoughts. But if a cat stubbornly fits between the spouses, it means that there are difficulties in their relationship. The animal is trying to take away negative emotions and bad energy.
The sign says: a cat shits under the bed of a sick person - his condition will soon worsen;
If it is unusual for a cat to be very affectionate towards people, but he unexpectedly came, demanding to pet him or jumped onto his lap, the owner will soon receive a gift or successfully acquire the necessary thing
It happens that after the guest leaves, the animal, despite the prohibitions, stubbornly climbs onto the table at which he was sitting. This suggests that the visitor is jealous or wishes harm to the owners. According to legend, the cat sits on the table to neutralize bad energy and protect household members.

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Taking care of your cat's ears, eyes, and mouth is a must.

It is recommended to wipe the area around the eyes with a special product or a cotton swab dipped in a small amount of clean water. If there is profuse discharge from the eyes, the cat squints heavily, there is inflammation, or the cat rubs the eyes vigorously, this is a reason to take the animal to the veterinarian.

The cat's ears are wiped with special wipes or slightly damp cotton swabs; it is best to buy a special liquid for cleaning the ears. You should not use ear sticks, or even less make them yourself from available means - careless movement can injure the animal.

Brushing your teeth is an important point. According to statistics, more than 60% of cats suffer from dental and gum diseases to some extent, but only 10% of owners regularly brush their pets’ teeth. It is recommended to clean with special brushes or a regular toothbrush with soft bristles. You should also use a specialized paste; Your cat needs to brush its teeth 1-2 times a week.

It is important to start getting your cat used to brushing its teeth from a very early age, first by simply touching the cat's teeth with your fingers and teaching her not to bite, then gradually moving on to brushing and always using some kind of treat (for example, wet food) for reward.

Special foods have also been developed to clean teeth, for example, Purina® PRO PLAN® Cat Dental Plus®, with a special granule texture and substances that reduce the formation of tartar.

Signs about death

Since ancient times, representatives of the cat breed have been associated with the other world. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are many “cat” signs regarding death:

The animal suddenly began to meow loudly near the front door - leading to the death of one of the owners. By screaming, the pet tries to warn people and ward off trouble.
According to legend, if a cat sits near the bed of a seriously ill person, but does not jump onto the bed or caress the patient, it means that he will die in the coming days.
An animal often lying on the kitchen table is a sign of trouble. People said that it “watches out” one of its owners, that is, it predicts death for him.

How, when and what to feed your cat?

This is perhaps one of the most common questions that a veterinarian has to answer every day. The nutrition of domestic cats should be structured according to the same rules as for cats walking on the street, but taking into account certain needs that are typical for keeping them at home.

The diet should contain:

all necessary vitamins and minerals in the correct concentrations;
easily digestible and complete proteins with sufficient energy value;
fiber and prebiotics to help owners combat the common problems of litter box odor and hair regurgitation.

All these characteristics are optimally matched by Purina® PRO PLAN® Adult cat diets - balanced nutrition in dry and wet formats, made according to a special recipe developed taking into account all the needs of cats living at home. The Purina® PRO PLAN® Adult line contains the prebiotic inulin, which helps fight litter box odors and normalize the balance of your cat's intestinal microflora.

The animal must be provided with constant access to food - dry food in this case is most convenient, because it can be left freely available for a day or more.

Some historical information

In Orthodoxy, it is forbidden to kick a cat out of the temple, unlike dogs; if a dog visits the altar, it must subsequently be reconsecrated (it is believed that the animal has desecrated it), and a cat can easily get away with something like this on its furry paws.

It is believed that Noah, when he was sailing with his family on the ark, was faced with the problem of mice that began to gnaw at the bottom, but the cat destroyed all the rodents, thereby saving the holy family from death.

Over the course of centuries, different nationalities have created and passed on signs about cats, many of which have survived to this day. Today it is difficult to find a home that does not have a cat: some people get a pet to get rid of rodents, and others get some variety in their lives. In modern society, the tendency to have purebred cats has become quite popular. Fortunately, there is a huge variety of breeds, allowing you to choose a cat that will completely suit you both in appearance and in character.

How to carry out treatment at home?

Treating your cat at home is not a simple matter and requires detailed discussion. On the one hand, the diagnosis of most diseases, and even more so their adequate treatment, necessarily requires the participation of a veterinarian. On the other hand, timely assistance to your cat in case of accidents, as well as mandatory attention to the first manifestations of any diseases in cats, is the main concern of the owner.

So here are some useful tips.

Pay close attention to your cat's overall health. Only indirect signs can indicate that a cat is sick, for example: a change in body temperature (normally from 38 to 39 C), decreased appetite, apathy, and decreased social activity.

Burns

Try to calm your pet and carefully examine the burn area. Treat the affected area of skin with dexpanthenol spray and try to bandage it. Do not allow your cat to lick the burned area and avoid contact of the affected skin with dirty surfaces. After treating a burn, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Cuts

When you get a cut, first inspect the wound. If it is shallow and does not bleed much, treat it with an antiseptic solution (hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine), bandage it if possible and consult a veterinarian. But remember that you should not use iodine, brilliant green and other alcohol-containing solutions to treat wounds - they can cause a burn to the wound and aggravate the situation. If you find heavy bleeding, apply a tight bandage and immediately take your cat to the veterinary clinic!

Fractures

Falling from a height of one or two people's own height - the most common cause of fractures in humans - practically does not harm cats. In an apartment, it is difficult for a healthy cat to break anything. Most often, such injuries are the result of limbs being pinched by doors due to the carelessness of the owners.

If your cat is limping, do not try to apply a bandage yourself - without proper pain relief, you will only do harm. If the injury is accompanied by damage to the skin, treat the wound as indicated above. After this, you should limit the cat’s mobility as much as possible, put it in a carrier, and contact a veterinary clinic as soon as possible.

Poisoning

Often, domestic cats can accidentally swallow inedible and even life-threatening chemicals, for example, some household chemicals. Symptoms of poisoning: apathy, lethargy, decreased temperature, repeated vomiting, diarrhea. Try to give your pet some kind of sorbent drug (for example, activated carbon), and contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Never try to diagnose and treat your cat’s illnesses yourself! For any serious illness, after first aid, contact a veterinarian you trust.

Cats as a cause of female loneliness

In the last century, psychologists argued that single women should not have a kitten. Taking care of him will create the illusion of family life, and the girl will lose the desire to get married and have children. This is how, from a scientific point of view, the belief about old maids having many cats is explained.

But recently, many experts in the field of psychology have changed their minds and, on the contrary, advise unmarried women to take a cat into the house. It will create comfort and help cope with insomnia, irritation, and nervous disorders. In addition, animals are considered a good detector for choosing a partner. It has been noticed that if a man treats his pets poorly, beats and abuses them, then it is likely that he has despotic, sadistic tendencies, which will manifest themselves in relation to his wife and children.

According to esotericists, cats perfectly sense what kind of energy a person has. If the animal does not like her, it will avoid the man and hiss at him. A girl should take a closer look at her chosen one. But if a cat sits calmly on a person’s lap or chest, then you can build a relationship with him.

Superstitions about black cats

Before entering a new hut, you need to let a black hen and a rooster into it at night. The next (second) night - a cat and a male cat of the same color.

Bombay cat - description of Bombay cats

A cat sitting on the road means good luck and money. This sign is considered one of the most effective. When meeting an animal sitting on the road, a bright streak will begin in a person’s life.

If a black cat sneaks into the house, you should expect love. Such a pet attracts not only wealth and luck, but also attracts love. If during a walk a charcoal-colored kitten gets nailed to your leg, then this is a clear sign of strong love. Under no circumstances should a kitten be left outside; you should take it for yourself or give it to friends.

Interesting! If a black cat runs onto the ship, then the trip will be successful.

Black cats are considered the best healers. For example, breeders do not feel any fear towards them, but on the contrary, show special respect. Animals with charcoal coloring have powerful energy that protects against negativity. Moreover, these pets protect their owners from damage and the evil eye, taking it all on themselves.

If a charcoal-colored cat sneaks into the house, this promises love.

Ancient signs

Cats have been living next to humans for a very long time, so the signs associated with them are more than one thousand years old. Among the Old Slavonic beliefs the following can be distinguished:

Teeth and claws are a good amulet against evil spirits. They must be sewn into a bag and carried with you.
You can't kiss a cat on the nose - it will lose its sense of smell and won't catch mice.
If a cat in the house dies, you cannot take a new one for 21 days, otherwise the brownie will be offended. It is believed that he is friends with the furry inhabitants of the house, and after their death he misses them for exactly three weeks.
The animal often lies on the table - family members will quarrel among themselves.
For a black cat you can exchange from the devil not only an irredeemable coin, but also an invisibility hat.
In the next world, cats help a person climb to heaven. If during his lifetime he caused pain to these animals, they will throw him into hell.
A strange cat entered the hut - an old omen promises an addition to the family.

Weather signs

Many “cat” signs are associated with weather changes. These days this is not as relevant as in former times. At that time, natural conditions were of great importance for human life. Therefore, they tried to find out the weather in every possible way, for example, by watching animals, including cats:

curled up into a ball, covering his nose with his paw - to cold weather;
sleeps all day, refuses to play - there will be prolonged rains;
presses close to the stove (heating radiator) - to frost;
intensively sharpens its claws - there will be a strong wind (in winter - a blizzard);
sleeping on his back, spread out - to warming;
sneezes often - the weather will deteriorate, there will be rain (in winter - snowfall).

The positive influence of cats on humans.

It's no secret that pets bring invaluable benefits to their owners. Cats: they are able to strengthen the biofield of all household members, bring peace, happiness, love, wealth and prosperity into the house in all areas of life, and even in some cases cure their owners of diseases or improve their health. Cats can make their owners healthier. For example, your cat very often lies on your feet and purrs, this most likely heals your feet with her purring and energy. In general, pay attention more often to which part of your body the cat is treating. For example, my friend Valentina had a headache very often, so her cat loved to lie on her head (like a hat) and naturally purr. I probably don’t need to tell you that very soon Valentina’s head stopped hurting. And how many cases when the “cat brethren” literally saved the lives of their owners. I myself had a cat named Baby. True, he didn’t save our lives, but he helped us in one situation: in those years, I was still a child, and lived with my parents in a new high-rise apartment building. And in those years, standard houses were built and apparently the locks on the doors were also the same... So, at night, when everyone was sleeping, a drunk neighbor began to break into our door (he mixed up the floors), he tried to open the naked door with his key and at first he had it did not work. Our cat heard the noise, he ran up to my parents’ bed and began meowing desperately. When the parents woke up, the Kid ran to the door, which the drunk neighbor had already begun to open. My father, literally at the last moment, managed to slam the door in front of the nose of a drunken and angry man. Thanks to the Kid, I saved him from fights, scuffles and other negativity.

Why you can't offend

In Rus' it was believed that physical violence should never be used against purrs. The people know very gloomy signs regarding the killing of these animals:

kill a cat - 7 years of no happiness;
drowning a kitten means poverty and loneliness; in addition, there will definitely be drowned people in the family;
torturing an animal means a serious illness or painful death of a close relative.

On a note! Hitting a cat with a car is a modern bad omen. The driver's luck will turn away for seven years.

Representatives of the cat family have enjoyed special treatment since ancient times. They were credited with a connection with the world of the dead, magical properties, and healing abilities. It was believed that they could be harbingers of various events, protectors of the family hearth, friends and helpers. That is why there are so many superstitions about them. Perhaps some of them are worth listening to, and then the wisdom of our ancestors will help improve life and avoid troubles.

Signs about family happiness

If you observe the behavior of graceful beauties, you can draw a conclusion about how family life will turn out. It is not without reason that since ancient times they have been considered the guardians of the family hearth and served as a symbol of domestic happiness and comfort. Well-known signs that have come down to us from time immemorial:

A cat crossed the path of the wedding procession - family life will be unsuccessful, a quick divorce is possible.
The cat should be the first to be let into the newlyweds' house. The animal has strong energy and will never stay in a bad place, so you need to monitor its behavior in a new place. Where the cat starts to wash itself or goes to bed, you can put a bed.
If there is a furry pet in the bride or groom's house, you should keep an eye on it on the wedding day. If he is calm, the marriage will be successful, if he is nervous, meows for no reason, gets in the way - the young couple will often quarrel.
If an unmarried girl with a cat treats her poorly, she may remain childless.

Read also: What does the sign of a very itchy nose indicate?

Signs about material well-being

Mystically minded people are sure that there are magical ways to get rich. Some of them are related to cats. For example, to get an irredeemable ruble, you need to bring a black animal to the crossroads at midnight, stand facing west and pinch the cat so that it meows loudly. In response to these sounds, an entity will appear and ask you to sell the screamer to it. You need to agree, asking for a ruble as payment. This coin will be irredeemable, that is, under any circumstances, it will return to the owner and over time will make him rich.

According to legend, if a cat washes itself while sitting next to an empty wallet, money will soon appear in it. You can strengthen the sign by saying at this moment:

“The cat washes itself, and my purse is filled with gold! Let it be so!".

Another sign is that the more dead mice a cat brings, the wealthier its owners will be.

Handle your cat correctly

You can pick up a cat, but it is important to do it correctly. Otherwise, instead of purring and caressing, you may hear an aggressive hissing and earn a scratch or two. You cannot hang over the cat with your whole body, or stroke it by pressing from the front. No cat likes to have someone look directly into her eyes or have her face brought close to her face. The cat will rarely tolerate such an attitude; most likely, he will bite or run away.

You need to pick up the cat gently, turning away slightly. You can stroke it at the base of the ears.