Basic cat care and kitten care is essentially the same. All cats and kittens need food, water, food bowls, somewhere to sleep, and toys. If you plan to travel with your cat or kitten, or if you will take him to the vet, you should also have a cat carrier. These are the basic things you will need for house cat care. Caring for cats is a little easier than caring for other pets as cats are generally independent creatures and like to do their own thing. They sleep a lot during the day, so they are usually quiet most of the time.
Of course, what is outlined above is very basic. All pets need veterinary care. If you do not have a vet already, check with a local community cat care facility like a shelter. They should be able to refer you to a good vet in the area. Free cat health care advice can be accessed at shelters and on the internet, but if there is a serious problem with your cat, a veterinarian should be contacted.
Taking care of kittens is a little more complicated than caring for adult cats. Kittens need more attention initially than adult cats do. A kitten will need to eat specially formulated food for kittens, and they will need to be watched almost constantly. Kittens are very curious and can get into dangerous places if you do not watch them. For example, kittens can climb curtains or get into air ducts and not be able to get out. It is important to assess your home before you introduce a kitten to be sure that everything is kitten proof.
Newborn kitten care is even more time consuming. Newborn kittens who have not been weaned but their mother is not present need to be nursed and cared for as if you were their mother. Talk to your vet as soon as you come upon newborn kittens without a mother. The vet can tell you what to do and how to properly take care of newborn kittens.
Holistic cat care is slightly different than general cat care. Holistic cat care often involves special diets – like raw or natural diets - for your cat, along with supplements and vitamins. There is a whole philosophy about holistic pet care, so do some research and talk to your vet before you decide to begin holistic cat care as these diets may need to be monitored by a vet.
