Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Care

Cats require high-quality commercial cat food specifically formulated for their life stage (kitten, adult, or senior). Look for products that meet AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards and list animal protein sources—such as chicken, turkey, fish, or beef—as the first ingredient. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require nutrients found primarily in animal tissues, including taurine, arachidonic acid, and vitamin A in its preformed state.

Both wet and dry foods have advantages. Wet food provides hydration and is often more palatable, making it beneficial for cats with urinary tract issues or those who don't drink enough water. Dry food is convenient and can help maintain dental health through mechanical cleaning action. Many veterinarians recommend a combination of both. Portion sizes depend on your cat's age, weight, activity level, and the food's caloric density. Follow feeding guidelines on the package as a starting point, but adjust based on your cat's body condition. Consult your veterinarian for personalized recommendations, especially if your cat has health conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, or food allergies.

Kittens have high energy requirements for growth and development but small stomach capacities, necessitating frequent small meals. Kittens under six months old should eat three to four times daily. Choose kitten-specific formulas with higher protein and calorie content than adult cat food. These formulations support rapid growth, brain development, and immune system maturation.

After six months, most kittens can transition to twice-daily feeding, though some owners continue three meals if their schedule permits. By one year, cats are generally considered adults and can follow adult feeding schedules. Always provide fresh, clean water. Monitor your kitten's body condition—you should be able to feel but not prominently see ribs. Overfeeding leads to obesity, while underfeeding impairs growth. Your veterinarian will assess growth at wellness visits and adjust feeding recommendations as needed. Never feed kittens dog food or adult cat food, as these lack essential nutrients for proper development.

Cats instinctively hide illness, so subtle changes often indicate significant problems. Key warning signs include decreased appetite or refusing food for more than 24 hours, increased or decreased water consumption, changes in litter box habits (straining, blood, increased frequency, or avoiding the box), lethargy or hiding more than usual, vomiting (especially if frequent or containing blood), diarrhea lasting more than a day, difficulty breathing, coughing, or discharge from eyes or nose.

Behavioral changes like increased vocalization, aggression, or unusual clinginess can indicate pain or distress. Physical signs include weight loss, unkempt coat, bad breath, drooling, or visible lumps. Any difficulty urinating is a medical emergency, especially in male cats, as urinary blockages can be fatal within 24-48 hours. If you notice any concerning changes, contact your veterinarian promptly. Early intervention significantly improves outcomes for most conditions. Trust your instincts—you know your cat best, and if something seems wrong, it's worth a veterinary consultation.

Ideal cat weight varies significantly by breed, sex, and body frame. Most domestic cats weigh between 3.6 to 4.5 kilograms (8-10 pounds), but healthy weights range from 2.7 to 6.8 kilograms (6-15 pounds) depending on these factors. Large breeds like Maine Coons can weigh 6.8-11.3 kilograms (15-25 pounds), while smaller breeds like Siamese typically weigh 2.7-4.5 kilograms (6-10 pounds).

Rather than focusing solely on scale weight, assess body condition. In an ideal weight cat, you should easily feel ribs with light pressure but not see them prominently. Viewed from above, there should be a visible waist behind the ribs. From the side, the abdomen should tuck up slightly. If ribs aren't palpable or there's no waist, your cat is likely overweight. If ribs, spine, and hip bones are prominent, your cat may be underweight. Your veterinarian can determine your cat's ideal weight and body condition score, then help develop a plan to achieve or maintain it through appropriate diet and exercise.

Scratching is completely normal, instinctive cat behavior serving multiple purposes. It maintains claw health by removing dead outer layers, marks territory through visual marks and scent glands in paw pads, provides stretching exercise for muscles and tendons, and serves as an emotional outlet for excitement or stress. Understanding that scratching is natural and necessary—not misbehavior—is the first step to managing it.

Provide appropriate scratching surfaces rather than trying to eliminate the behavior. Offer multiple scratching posts with different textures (sisal, carpet, cardboard) and orientations (vertical posts, horizontal pads, angled boards). Place them near sleeping areas where cats naturally stretch upon waking, and near furniture they currently scratch. Make posts sturdy and tall enough for full-body stretching. Encourage use with catnip or treats. When your cat uses appropriate surfaces, offer praise. If they approach furniture, calmly redirect to the scratching post. Never punish scratching, as this increases stress and can worsen behavior. Regular nail trimming also reduces furniture damage. With patience and proper alternatives, most cats can be redirected from furniture.

Yes, indoor cats require certain vaccinations, though the specific vaccines and frequency may differ from outdoor cats. Core vaccines recommended for all cats include feline panleukopenia (distemper), feline herpesvirus, and feline calicivirus, typically combined in a single FVRCP vaccine. Rabies vaccination is legally required in most Canadian jurisdictions regardless of indoor/outdoor status, as rabies is fatal and poses public health risks. Bats can enter homes, creating exposure risk even for strictly indoor cats.

Non-core vaccines like feline leukemia (FeLV) are recommended based on lifestyle and risk factors. Indoor cats with no outdoor access or contact with other cats may not need FeLV vaccination after the initial kitten series. However, situations change—cats escape, new cats join households, or living situations shift. Kittens should receive a complete vaccination series starting at 6-8 weeks, with boosters every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks old. Adult cats typically need boosters every 1-3 years depending on the vaccine and risk assessment. Your veterinarian will create a vaccination protocol tailored to your cat's specific circumstances, balancing protection against disease with minimizing unnecessary vaccinations.

Cats are masters at hiding pain, an evolutionary adaptation that prevented them from appearing vulnerable to predators. Recognizing pain requires attention to subtle behavioral changes. Common signs include decreased activity or reluctance to jump, climb, or play; changes in grooming habits (over-grooming painful areas or neglecting grooming due to discomfort); altered eating habits or difficulty chewing; litter box avoidance if elimination is painful; increased sleeping or hiding; and changes in temperament such as increased aggression, irritability, or withdrawal.

Physical indicators include hunched posture, tense body, squinting eyes, flattened ears, or guarding specific body areas. Cats in pain may vocalize more, especially when touched or moving. Purring doesn't necessarily indicate comfort—cats sometimes purr when distressed. Lameness, limping, or stiffness, particularly after rest, suggests musculoskeletal pain common in arthritis. Rapid or shallow breathing can indicate pain. If you suspect your cat is in pain, seek veterinary care promptly. Pain management significantly improves quality of life, and identifying the underlying cause is essential. Never give human pain medications to cats, as many are toxic. Your veterinarian can prescribe safe, effective pain relief appropriate for your cat's condition.

Many common human foods are toxic to cats and should never be fed. Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks (in any form—raw, cooked, or powdered) damage red blood cells, causing anemia. Chocolate contains theobromine, which cats cannot metabolize; even small amounts can cause serious toxicity. Grapes and raisins cause kidney failure in some cats through an unknown mechanism. Xylitol, an artificial sweetener in sugar-free products, causes rapid insulin release and liver failure.

Alcohol is extremely dangerous, causing intoxication, coma, and death even in tiny amounts. Caffeine in coffee, tea, and energy drinks causes hyperactivity, tremors, and heart problems. Raw dough containing yeast expands in the stomach and produces alcohol during fermentation. Bones can splinter and cause choking or intestinal perforation. Fatty foods may trigger pancreatitis. Milk and dairy products often cause digestive upset, as most adult cats are lactose intolerant. Even "safe" human foods should be given sparingly, as they lack proper feline nutrition and contribute to obesity. When in doubt, stick to cat-specific foods and treats. If your cat ingests something potentially toxic, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison helpline immediately.