If your cat is primarily kept indoors, you will need to choose a suitable litter for it. We know how clean cats like to be, and even a kitten will wash itself daily. Finding the right sort of litter for your cat or kitten can be confusing as there are so many different types on the markets these days.
Cats must have easy access to their litter tray. And if you have a kitten, you will need to make sure that it can climb over the sides easily. The tray needs to be placed in a quiet location with a floor that is easily washed. It is rare for even a kitten to miss the tray, but they can be over eager about covering their droppings and you can have litter everywhere.
Types of litter available.
Clay-based products. These are usually the traditional type of cat litter. They clump together very well when wet, but can be heavy to carry when cleaning. Clay base litter cannot be flushed down the toilet as it could block the system. Don’t put it in the compost bin either as it could introduce toxoplasma organisms into the garden. It is best to wrap it up and dispose of it with your household rubbish.
Wood or recycled paper products. These are much lighter and are now becoming more popular. It is fairly easy to dispose of in the household rubbish. You could add them to an incinerator or burn them with your garden rubbish. Wood or recycled paper litter creates very little dust when used. For those who are concerned about the environment, this is an excellent product.
Crystals. These are made of either a silica gel or sand. They are excellent at absorbing the urine but do not form clumps. They are excellent at odour control. Because of the crystals are fairly large, some cats will not like walking on or using it. Crystals are more expensive than most other types of litters.
I suggest purchasing the smallest packet of litter you can if you have a new kitten. This way if it doesn’t work out, you have not wasted too much money. I experimented with three different types of litter when I first brought home my new kitten. It comes down to what your cat wants to use and how easy it is to dispose of in your situation.
I’m sure you have a first aid kit in your home for your family. But do you have one for your cat? Both are essential items in any home. The more complete your first aid kit is, the better prepared you are to treat your pet in an emergency. Old tackle or tool boxes are good containers but I suggest getting everything together first so you can find something that will hold it all. Your cat’s first aid kit needs to have the following items, many of which you most likely have. However, keep them all together in a separate kit from the family’s one. Make sure it is clearly labelled so it can be found quickly.
- Adhesive tape including water proof tape
- Antibacterial scrub
- Cotton swabs, q-tips, cotton wool balls
- Waterless hand cleaning agent, preferably anti-bacterial to clean your hands
- Rectal thermometer
- Rubbing alcohol and/or alcohol wipes
- Gauze pads
- Mineral oil
- One or two rolls of gauze
- Splints – these can be strong strips of sterilized plastic (make sure there are no rough edges if you make these yourself)
- Bubble wrap make a good emergency splint
- Contact lens solution for rinsing out eyes or fresh water
- A bottle of water for rinsing out wounds
- One or two small blankets and/or towels
- Syrup of ipecac
- Small flashlight
- Tweezers
- Rubber bulb ear syringe for flushing out wounds
- Scissors – blunt tip for cutting fur and normal for cutting bandages
- Some old clean pantyhose or knee highs to protect the bandage
- Lubricating jelly
- Razor blade for shaving fur or removing ticks
- Gel packs for hot or cold compresses. You can buy single use packs very cheaply these day
- Contact number for your vet and emergency number for animal poisoning
You are going to be trying to help your pet when it is injured. Having everything together will make this much easier for you both. You will be able to focus on helping your pet knowing that you have the essential tools handy.
You don’t want to wait until an emergency to have these items, get them ready now. If you travel with your cat, take the first aid kit with you. Make sure everyone in the family knows where it is and that they can safely reach it.
No-one expects you to be able to deal with major trauma at home, for this you need your vet immediately. However, there are more minor type injuries that you can treat at home, like grazes, small cuts or minor burns, and having a first aid kit will make it easier for you both.
