How to Be Responsible when You Have a Cat

If you have a cat, you know that nothing beats the purrs from a happy pet! To make sure you hear that noise often, you need to be a responsible cat owner. Begin by providing your cat with a safe environment. You also need to feed, groom, and play with your cat regularly. It is also important that your cat receives medication attention and is properly tagged and licensed.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Creating a Safe Environment for a Cat

1
Remove any hazardous items from your home. Cats need to be in a safe place where there is little chance they can get hurt. If you have any breakable objects, they should be removed or placed out of your cat's reach. For example, vases, figurines, and glassware should be kept behind closed doors. You should also remove any small items, such as rubber bands, beads, safety pins, hair clips, etc. that could be choking hazards.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Certain household plants, such as jade and aloe, can be toxic to cats and should be removed from your home. Ask your vet about poisonous household plants.
2
Hide all electrical cords. Make sure all wires for televisions, phones, computers, etc. are hidden carefully. Cats are naturally playful and curious and they will likely bite on or play with cords if given the opportunity. This can be very dangerous and your cat could get seriously harmed from biting on an electrical wire.^{[2]XResearch source}
- Store wires behind furniture.
- Alternatively, you can tape cords to the floor or other furniture so your cat can’t access them.
3
Keep your cat indoors. Responsible cat owners will not let their cats roam the neighbourhood unsupervised. This can be dangerous to both the cat and other animals in the area. Cats who are allowed outdoors can get into fights with other animals, or eat poisonous substances. They are also more likely to be killed by traffic.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Outdoor cats may also hunt and kill local songbirds and small rodents, which can have a negative impact on the local environment.
4
Monitor the area around your home for other cats if yours goes outdoors. Outdoor cats can fight with each other, which can cause injuries and spread diseases. It's best to keep your cat inside. However, some cats like to go outside. If your cat goes outdoors, keep an eye out for other cats that could harm yours. You can also take steps to discourage cats from coming into your yard:^{[4]XResearch source}
- Don't leave out food.
- Don't install a bird feeder.
- Install a motion-activated sprinkler around the perimeter.
- Make sure your cat is spayed or neutered.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Caring for Your Cat

1
Feed your cat daily. Feeding your cat is an essential part of responsible cat care. Make sure that you feed your cat a nutritional diet and that your cat has access to food on a daily basis. You may decide to feed your cat at specific times or let it graze throughout the day. Either option is fine. Choose the one that fits the best with your lifestyle.^{[5]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsLeading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal crueltyGo to source}
- If you ever go away make sure to arrange for someone to feed your cat.
2
Provide water for your cat. Cats should have access to water at all times. Although your cat may not drink a lot of water, it is very important that water is available throughout the day.^{[6]XResearch source}
- You should change your cat's water daily, even if the bowl still contains water.
3
Clean the litter box regularly. Although this is not the best part of cat ownership, it is essential! Not only will a dirty litter box smell, but your cat may avoid it if it is not cleaned. As a result, it is important that you clean the litter box at least twice a day, or after each use. To clean the box, scoop out the excrement and place it in the garbage.^{[7]XResearch source}
- The litter box should be placed away from your cat’s food and water, preferably in a quiet location.
4
Groom your cat. Cats are relatively clean animals and you will notice your cat grooming itself on a regular basis. However, you should still brush their coat at least once a week. This will help reduce shedding and prevents the likelihood that your cat will choke on a hairball.^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsLeading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal crueltyGo to source}
- You should also cut your cat’s nails every two to three weeks to prevent your cat from damaging furniture or clawing you.
5
Play with your cat. Your cat needs attention and stimulation throughout the day. You should play with your cat at least once each day. You can use toys, such as wand toys, to mimic different forms of prey. This will keep your cat active and engaged. Always let your cat catch the toy a few times during each play session.
- Do not tease your cat or play rough with your cat. This can cause aggressive behavioural issues.
Cats like to have a little space to call their own, where they can curl up and enjoy the quiet. Set up a comfortable cat bed in a spare room in your home, or tuck it into an out-of-the-way spot with little human traffic.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Keeping Your Cat Healthy and Safe

Your cat should visit the vet at least once per year to ensure that all vaccines are up to date and to examine its overall health. Vaccinations can prevent your cat from developing fatal diseases, such as distemper, rabies, feline leukemia, calicivirus, and viral rhinotracheitis.^{[9]XResearch source}
2
Get your cat spayed or neutered. This will help control cat populations and can positively impact your cat’s behaviour. Cats are less likely to spray urine after being spayed or neutered and in many instances cats will become more affectionate and less aggressive following this surgery.^{[10]XResearch source}
- You should have your cat desexed anytime over the age of six month.
- Cats that aren't spayed or neutered also add to the overpopulation of pets.
3
Avoid keeping plants that are toxic to cats in your home. Houseplants and cut flowers can be toxic if ingested by cats. Since cats are very curious, it's up to you to keep out plants that could harm them. Common houseplants that are toxic to cats include the following:^{[11]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsLeading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal crueltyGo to source}
- Aloe.
- Lily.
- Ivy.
- Chives.
- Daisies.
- Poinsettia.
4
Keep loose strings away from the cat. Cat's love to chase stings, but that game can turn toxic if your cat tries to eat the string, which is a common behavior. Innocent looking items like balloon strings, dental floss, and thread can harm the cat if ingested. Always keep these items off the floor and put away.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Make sure that dental floss and discarded strings are placed in the trash.
- Don't give your cat strings to play with unattended.
- Make sure items like yarn and thread are put away where the cat can't get them.
Even though your cat will remain indoors, there is always the chance that it could slip out and get lost when you open the door. To avoid losing your cat, make sure it wears an identification tag on a cat-safe collar at all times. Alternatively, you can have your cat microchipped. This way your cat can be returned to your address if found.^{[13]XResearch source}
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Expert Q&A

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I already have a cat, but it's outdoors. I would like to be able to keep it inside at night and sleep with me in my room. How do I convince my parents? I don't like having my cat sleeping outside at night.
Deanne Pawlisch, CVT, MA
Certified Veterinary Technician
Deanne Pawlisch is a Certified Veterinary Technician, who does corporate training for veterinary practices and has taught at the NAVTA-approved Veterinary Assistant Program at the Harper College in Illinois and in 2011 was elected to the board of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Foundation. Deanne has been a Board Member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Foundation in San Antonio, Texas since 2011. She holds a BS in Anthropology from Loyola University and an MA in Anthropology from Northern Illinois University.
Deanne Pawlisch, CVT, MA
Certified Veterinary Technician
Expert Answer
You will have to determine why your parents don’t want your cat in the house, then address that issue. Talk to your parents about their concerns.
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Tips

Read your local municipal by-laws regarding pet ownership to ensure that you meet all of the legal requirements.^{[14]XResearch source}
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If you ever need to leave your cat for a few days, make sure you get someone to look after and care for your cat.
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Sometimes cats need or want alone time, so don't be discouraged when this happens.
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