Use The Resources At Catster To Help Make This Year For Both You And Your Cat

If, like me, you didn’t manage to finish writing all of your New Year’s resolutions, how about pledging to be a better cat owner? I’ve rounded up advice from Catster and the Catster Cat Blogs to make it easy for you!

HEALTH

• Know the major health concerns for cats. If you know what symptoms to look for, you can get your cat to the vet before the health problem requires an expensive emergency visit.
•  Select a good vet, if you don’t have one already. I’ve heard stories from cat owners who aren’t entirely comfortable with their vets, but they feel “funny” about switching. Your cat deserves high quality care, and you should always feel that your vet is providing it. If you don’t — even if you can’t quite put your finger on the reason — switch vets. Read some tips on how to select a vet.

• Watch health trends and discuss your cat’s health with others. So, your cat has been diagnosed with a health problem. You’ve had a great consultation with your vet, but what do you do after you bring Fluffy home? You might find it helpful to talk to cat owners who are dealing with the same health issues that you are. Sometimes you just need comfort and support, sometimes you need tips on administering care — whatever you need, you’ll probably find it here.

• Follow the Catster Vet Blog for tips and advice from Dr. Barchas.

LOVE

• Keep your cat entertained and amused. If your cat isn’t responding to the stuffed mouse, discover other toys and games that might engage her.

• Groom your cat regularly. A grooming a day keeps the hair balls — and vet visits — away. It’s the purrfect opportunity to bond with your cat, and to check for fleas, ticks, lumps and tender spots.

• Take photos of your cats so that you can share them on Catster. And, it’s never to early to take photos for the 2009 World’s Coolest Cat Contest!

EXERCISE

• Make sure that your cat gets regular exercise. The good news is that for cats, exercise is a whole lot like play!
• Find out more about your breed so that you can establish an exercise routine appropriate to that breed’s needs.

DIET

• Know how to choose a diet for your cat, and modify it if necessary. If you’re lucky enough to have more than one cat, they could each have different dietary needs.
• Educate yourself: See what other cats like yours are eating.
• Keep your cat away from poisonous foods. Your dinner table may host foods that will make your cat sick … or worse.

RESCUE OR ADOPT A PET

• If you don’t have cat, adopting one is the way to go. Especially now: with the increase in layoffs and foreclosures, more cats than ever before are being abandoned at local shelters. Better yet, adopt two! They’ll keep each other company and are less likely to engage in destructive boredom-induced behaviors.

• Find out where your nearest shelter is located. You’re probably unaware of some of the shelters and rescue organizations near you. Check ’em out!

• Familiarize yourself with the adoption process. It’s easier than you think, but you should know what you’re getting into before you adopt.

• Find out more about fostering a kitty. Not ready to make a long-term commitment to a new cat? Fostering is a win-win. Shelters are bursting at the seams, and foster parents socialize and care for cats that might otherwise have to be euthanized.