Animal Antics for Students - Cats

Food

Cats like crunchy, dry food with a sprinkling of fresh meat or canned food.

Water

Make sure your cat has fresh water all the time. Keep the water in the shade and clean the bowl regularly.

Shelter

Cats should stay inside most of the time. When they are outside they need to stay in a yard from which they can't escape. Cats need comfortable beds that are washed often.

Friends

Cats like being around people or other cats but they don't always want to be picked up and cuddled.

Exercise

Cats love to play. They enjoy running, climbing and playing chasey. They like to explore boxes and cupboards and chase table tennis balls and toy mice. If your cat is playing outside make sure that it can't get out of the yard.

Vet care

Cats should visit the vet once a year for a check-up. Vets give cats their vaccinations to stop them catching diseases. You should also take cats to the vet if they are vomiting a lot, sleeping all the time or not eating.

Identification

Cats must wear collars with name tags. You can also have a microchip put under your cat's coat to make sure it has identification if its collar falls off. Then it can be identified and returned to you.

Lifespan

Most cats live from 12 to 14 years.