Kitten Shower on Sunday
Support the animals through our foster program by attending our Kitten Shower from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Humane Society of Greater Dayton, 1661 Nicholas Road, Dayton. Bring items from our Kitten Shower registry at www.hsdayton.org/kittenshower and directly help care for the kittens in our care as they become big enough to enter into our foster program.
We are currently in the middle of Kitten Season, and with it more and more people are adopting cats young and old. In fact, cats are one of the most popular animals to have as a pet. For us here at the Humane Society, it is our top animal adopted each year. However, if a kitten or cat is in your family’s future, you need to know a few simple tips to ensure your cat stays healthy and happy in your home.
Visit your vet regularly. Just like people, cats need to go to the doctor for checkups, too. Visit your vet at least twice each year to make sure your cat is healthy and happy.
Know what to feed them. What you feed your cat can depend on its age, activity level and health. To find the right food for your cat, talk to shelter staff or your vet to see what is recommended. All animals digest food differently and your cat may need to go onto a special diet to get the nutrients he or she needs.
Make time for play. It is normal for cats to want to chase, pounce and catch things. Feed into their natural desire to do this by playing with them a few times a day. Not only are you letting them do what comes naturally to them, you are also giving them the exercise they need to stay healthy.
Watch their weight. Your cat can have serious health problems if it is overweight. By feeding your cat the proper food (and the proper amount), playing with them and also providing fun activities for your cats to do by themselves, then you can help manage their weight.
Don't get bugged out. Even indoor cats can get heartworms or fleas. The best preventative measure you can take is to provide year-round protection for your pets. Visit with your vet to see what steps to take to ensure your cat stays safe.
Know where they are. Whether your cat lives outdoors or indoors, there is a chance of them getting out, roaming or getting lost. To help protect your cats, get them microchipped. This small chip is just the size of one grain of rice and goes under the skin between your pet's shoulders. If you cat turns up at any vet's office, pet store or shelter, they will scan the cat and your contact information will pop up so they can notify you that your cat has been found.
Keep litter clean. Use large litter boxes in your home. You want them to fit the size of your cat. So, buy one that is about the tip of the cat's nose to the tip of the cat's tail in length. Scoop the box daily.
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