How to Take Care of an Indoor Cat

Taking care of an indoor cat, whether it is your own or you are pet sitting is not very difficult. Cats are independent creatures and indoor cats tend to be much more easy going than their outdoor counterparts.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Indoor Cat Food
• Cat Litter
• Cat Treats
• Cat Toys
• Collar
• Identification Tag
• Scratching Post

Feeding & Grooming an Indoor Cat

1. Feed your cat "Indoor Cat" food. This can be any brand so long as your cat seems to enjoy it. Be sure to measure the cat's daily food and feed according to package instructions. If your cat will eat it all in one sitting, split it up into 2-3 feedings per day.

2. Give your cat "Weight Control" formula or a special type of food if your vet asks you to do so. Cats can have a tendency to be overweight when they are indoors all the time. They do not get as much exercise.

3. Brush your cat. If you start when they are younger, they usually tend to at least tolerate it. Some even love it and will purr and roll over to show gratitude. Brushing also fends off hair balls and is absolutely necessary for long-haired cats.

4. Wash cat as needed. Use Cat Shampoo and stay away from their eyes. They do not like water, so do it only as needed or give them a sponge bath.

5. Feed your cat treats, especially as a reward for desired behavior. Use the tartar control treats to clean their teeth. Give them these treats according to their weight and package instructions.

6. 
   Example of cat self waterer

   Change the cat's water 3-4 times per week or if it gets dirty. You may want to purchase a self-watering and self-feeding station for the cat, especially if you are not home much or are busy.

Exercising, Identifying & Maintaining an Indoor Cat

7. Exercise your cat. Have him run around and chase a toy. You can either purchase a toy or use a home-made version such as the ring from a gallon of milk, paper bags, boxes, or small plastic balls. They also love string, but be sure to supervise them when playing so they do not become tangled. You can tie a string around a doorknob and let it hang so the cat can play whenever he feels like it. Provide a scratching post if your cat is not declawed, or a tower with shelves they can climb.

8. Change the cat litter box two times per week and scoop it out daily. If you have more than one cat, you will need to change more frequently, or even daily. Put a few boxes out to avoid accidents or if you have a multi-level home. Add litter box deodorizer at the bottom or baking soda for freshness and odor control.

9. In nicer weather, leave a window partially open so the cat can sit on the ledge. Just be sure the screens are secure and the cat cannot push his way out.

10. Have the number of your vet handy and know where you can take your cat if he gets sick after normal office hours.

11. Tag your cat. In other words, purchase a collar for him and put an identification tag on him with your name, address and phone number in case your indoor cat decides to venture outdoors. Wearing his collar all the time gets him used to having something around his neck.

12. Place a microchip in the cat for identification in case they get out and are lost. Pet stores, animal shelters and veterinarians will do this for an extra charge. This is optional but a sure fire way to identify a lost pet and get them back to their owners.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use catnip, just do so sparingly.
• Cats love grass, consider growing a plant indoors for him to munch on.
• Approach a cat with a closed hand and let him smell you before you pet him.
• Experiment until you find food and litter you both like.
• Indoor cats generally have very little desire to venture outdoors, just keep an eye on them when the weather is warmer.
• Do not change the litter box if you are pregnant.
• Teach small children how to handle cats.
• Take your pet to the vet for yearly exams and shots. Even indoor cats need vaccinations.
• Avoid feeding your cat table food as much as possible.
• Do not place food near litter.
• Check with your local municipality to see if a pet license is required.

Resources

• Friskies
• Pounce Treats
• Tidy Cats Litter

[sisabileon506]

on 4/6/2009 great advice!! especially about keeping a collar on your cat - we have so many cats roaming around my neighborhood without collars its hard to tell which have homes to return to and which don't...on a sidenote, I find that indoor cats have a 'special' smell to them which a lot of people aren't fond of. i make it a point to groom as much as possible and keep my cat fresh between groomings with a product called frescopet. its a fragrant collar attachment you put on your cats collar and it time releases a subtle fragrance. definitely helps reduce the 'cat smell' in my house tremendously ;) check them out online frescopet.com

[SophiaWilliams]

on 9/24/2008 cool!

[Gardengates]

on 7/30/2008 Lots of good advice in this article!