Your cat's basic needs to keep healthy
Keep your cat healthy with access to food and clean water
Dry food used to be recommended by many vets, but some have recently changed their minds and are encouraging an exclusive wet food diet, instead. Make sure you ask your vet to recommend a good brand.
Your cat wants a clean litter box
Cats are very fastidious creatures. They like their litter box to be clean. If it isn’t clean, they might start “going” elsewhere. Daily cleaning means you can keep an eye on your cat’s health for early warning signs (e.g., abnormal frequency in peeing, odor changes, faeces change, or blood in urine) and make sure any problems that arise are taken care of immediately.
It’s also a good idea to change the cat litter weekly, removing all the old litter and giving the box a thorough cleaning.
Toys make a happy, healthy cat
Apart from your cat's basic needs - food, water and a litter box - toys are essential to keep your cat happy. Cats can sleep up to twenty hours a day, but when they’re not sleeping or eating, they are playing. Toys are a great way for your cat to hone its hunting skills, stay fit and not get bored.
Help your cat with grooming by brushing
Cats are very clean creatures with saliva containing natural deodorants and cleansing properties, but they do need a little help every now and then. Some cat owners advocate a bath once in a while, but the best thing to help your cat is brushing. Brushing removes excess hair, which helps to prevent hairballs. If your particular cat has long hair, then it is essential to keep it tangle free. Brush often, most cats enjoy it.
An annual visit to the vet will help keep your cat healthy
Take your cat to the vet for a once-a-year "wellness" checkup and vaccinations. Being proactive will allow the vet to catch any medical conditions or problems in your cat earlier.
Regular worming and flea treatments are essential, especially if your cat spends time outdoors and is likely to pick up these common parasites.