SO MANY Questions!

[vampiric_conure]

I have several cat care questions. It could be five years before I get cat(s), but I thought I'd start my research now. I've tried the search function, and have gotten some good results, but I figured I would ask here for additional information I couldn't find.

1)What is your preferred brand of Cat Litter? Pros? Cons? Is your preferred litter clay-based or something else?

2) Do you prefer feeding dry or wet cat food, dry alone or a mix of both? Most people I know seem to feed a mix. I thought I'd ask the experts on here . What brands do you favor?

3) What is your favorite type of nail clipper? Is there anything I should avoid? The same goes with brushes/slickers.

Thanks everyone in advance!

 

[di and bob]

Welcome, and it's great you are looking all this up now!
1. Litter. I use what controls the smell the best. after many years I go back and forth between Scoop Away at Walmart, and Tidy Cats. Both are clay based clumping. Very young kittens should use nonclumping because they have a habit of eating litter.
2. I feed grain free wet twice a day to my inside cats, they have leukemia and i have kept tehm alive for 5 years after diagnosis. I get it at Tractor supply. They also get grainfree dry at will, mainly because once in a while we like to get away overnight and they need something to eat. They are terrified of strangers, so noone can come feed them or give them meds. My outside cats get Friskies shredded turkey and cheese in the AMs and free feed dry.
3. I don't clip nails very often because it is so difficult, one cat I can only get one nail a night. When they start catching on blankets i do it. about every 6 months or so. I suggest getting a kitten used to it! I got a clipper on Amazon after reading reviews. Just a plain one with a gaurd so you don't clip too much off and cause a bleed.
Hope that helps!

 

[Clayton Moore]

I have several cat care questions. It could be five years before I get cat(s), but I thought I'd start my research now. I've tried the search function, and have gotten some good results, but I figured I would ask here for additional information I couldn't find.

1)What is your preferred brand of Cat Litter? Pros? Cons? Is your preferred litter clay-based or something else?

2) Do you prefer feeding dry or wet cat food, dry alone or a mix of both? Most people I know seem to feed a mix. I thought I'd ask the experts on here . What brands do you favor?

3) What is your favorite type of nail clipper? Is there anything I should avoid? The same goes with brushes/slickers.

Thanks everyone in advance!

I use kids play sand BAHA as my litter, I was looking for a healthier alternative and this was recommended by my holistic vet.
DEFINITELY more wet food is better!! Adding warm water or bone broth adds more moisture.
I use smalls home delivery, for canned I like Rawz, tiki, and koha. Clippers…. I still like the small scissor like for cat claws. Brushing I use the metal bristles but I have short haired cats and wouldn’t use that for long hair

 

[Kris107]

I use a non-clay based litter, but I don't judge. Sometimes the cat decides what it likes too, so sometimes it isn't up to us. Cat food - I try not to judge. I just say get the best one you can consistently afford. For nail trimming I use the scissor type. My parents have one that are pretty slim, which I like the best. My pair are a bit chunkier but still work. Brushes - depends on the hair/coat of your cat and what your cat likes. I have DSHs so I kind of let them decide what they like the best. I have about 5 different brushes.

 

[Margret]

1. I use a store brand clay litter, clumping, fragrance free because I have a housemate with allergies. Plan to keep the litter at least 2 inches deep in all litter boxes.

2. Jasmine gets half a can 3 or 4 times a day, and has kibble available at all times. All grain free. The "best" cat food is the healthiest food your cat will eat, and make no mistake – cats will starve themselves rather than eat something they don't like. Jasmine is on a novel protein diet due to allergies; I get her food on auto-ship from Chewy.

Also, I found something strange a while back when I needed surgery on my left hand. I bought one of those can openers that remove the entire lid, lip and all, because the only thing I'd need to do with my left hand was hold the opener down on the can. And because it was also hard to open cat food cans with only one functional hand (even with flip tops you have to use one hand to grip the can) I used it to open cat food as well. It turns out that when you open cat food this way you can use the lid as a can cover between feedings.

3. Some unscrupulous breeders deliberately cut all the way into the quick when they clip a kitten's claws. Any cat who has experienced this will be impossible to train to accept claw clipping. But assuming this hasn't happened to your cats, you should be able to manage, though you'll probably have to do it in stages, say, one paw at a time. The best claw clipper I've found is a human nail clipper, held sideways to the claw. And this is the best nail clipper I've found to do the job, because I can hold it in the crook of my fingers and just use my thumb to operate the clippers: Victorinox Nail Clip 580 Swiss Army Knife at Swiss Knife Shop Note: This is not the cheapest source for this product, but TCS has a problem with links to Amazon, and products disappear quickly from eBay.

4. Jasmine has long, fine fur, very prone to matting, so a good cat brush is a necessity. This is the best I've found (also available on Amazon): Summer Promotion 49% OFFCleaning Pet Brush (Upgraded Pet Brush）

 

[Alldara]

Good questions!

1) Non clay litter, and if wood based, only those made for cats where the phenols are removed, not small animal, rabbit or horse litter. I use non-clumping in some boxes and clumping in another, all by OkoCat. I have athsma so I cannot use clay litter at all. The dust from clay litter is dangerous.

2)Dry only has health benefits if your cat will chew the kibbles. If it will, then it can support teeth brushing. Dry food is usually chosen for budget reasons OR because the cat refuses wet. If you can get the cat (you eventually get) to eat a variety of wet foods from a couple different brands it is ideal.

It's important when assessing "health" of food to keep in mind that many many people state opinions as fact and provide no sources. Studies on cat food done on healthy cats for longevity are limited. Some are currently underway. Ask for primary sources (actual studies), not just another famous cat person's opinion. They all just refer back to one another's opinions.

Right now, we are also waiting to see how studies go regarding peas and legumes and whether they increase the risk of heart disease in cats. Initial study results are mixed. What's in My Cat's Food?: Designer Diets, Grain Free Diets | VCA | VCA Canada Animal Hospitals

3) having tried many, the scissor style ones. Get your cat used to being touched on thr feet, use a fear free, no-pinnning method. That might mean doing only one or two claws at a time at first. I pull them into my lap and then do as many as they'll let me. Then I provide a high reward treat for good behaviour. (Even if they only let me do a couple claws. They know they have to wait for all cats to be done). So now it takes me 5 to 10 minutes to do all 3 cats, usually.

4) brush will depend on your cat's coat. All 3 of mt short hair cats have different textures. I have a variety of brushes that i use. I use the furminator weekly during shed seasons. I use the silicone glove ones regularly. We brush them daily with a slicker brush, except Cal who can't use that one as his hair is so sleek. We use a human comb.


I'll also add it's important to get them used to teeth brushing every couple of days where possible. I also give dental kibbles certified by the veterinary dentistry counsel as a treat. Calcifer and Ghost will chew them, so they get 4 kibbles each per day.
Then I use Dental teeth wipes (Vetradent) and I now use children's electric toothbrushes a couple times a week each. I cut the Dental wipes so I get 6 uses per wipe (2days for 3 cats).
Brushing I used a qtip (with a paper wand so compostable) first. Got them used to me being in their mouths with something. Wait until they're tired. Then add Cat enzymatic toothpaste. Then move to a super soft toothbrushes. Then got them used to the sound of the electric toothbrushes, then the sensation by petting them with the ON toothbrush, then finally brushing. Thr hardest step was getting them used to the sound.


I recommend training them on anything you'll need to use frequently. We gave/give vacuum treats so vacuum is not a big fear. We have a smaller daily vacuum which is helpful, and they're a bit weary of the big one still but it's a work in progress.

 

[vampiric_conure]

Thank you everyone! I have much to think about, but it's fun to contemplate. I will most likely get an older cat (1 yr?) and a kitten or two kittens when I get cats. I've been warned kittens are CHAOS by a friend who has two, year-old boys named Romeo and Creed.

 

[neely]

It's good to ask questions and plan ahead so that you are prepared when the time comes. You can always do a search on TCS for some of your concerns too. Over the years after having many cats I have changed some of my preferences and a lot depends on the individual cat. As of right now these are my favorites:
1. Tidy Cat clumping litter
2. Wet food with a little dry left out at night for a snack - I have changed brands due to a picky cat but like Rawz, Fromm, Weruva & Fussie Cat for wet food and Fromm Game Bird for dry food
3. Scissors or as suggested above human nail clipper
4. Most of our cats have been medium-longhaired and what works best for us is a stainless steel greyhound comb like this one:
10" Steel Comb | ANDIS

Best of luck, I hope this is helpful.

 

[Alldara]

Thank you everyone! I have much to think about, but it's fun to contemplate. I will most likely get an older cat (1 yr?) and a kitten or two kittens when I get cats. I've been warned kittens are CHAOS by a friend who has two, year-old boys named Romeo and Creed.

For a first time owner of cats, I'd highly highly recommend that you get cats between the ages of 1 and 3, even up to 5. Perhaps a bonded pair or a trio.

I would never recommend a single kitten, especially to an inexperienced cat-parent. It is so so hard and very stressful. Even at 5 or 6 months the cat can have the second round of teething. I was overwhelmed by Magnus and I've basically always had cats/kittens.

Adding cats to the home that ate est. between 1 & 2 years old has always been easier. Their personalities are developed so you know what you're getting more. Lily and Ghost were seamless integrations. Even though they both needed training in their own way it was so much less overwhelming.

 

[Mynameisjohn]

I had bought a bunch of different types of brushes for my cat, just to see which she prefers. However, the first brush that I bought for her was probably her favorite, it was a very plain brush with thin metal pins that actually helps with removing hair.

 

[tabbytom]

I have several cat care questions. It could be five years before I get cat(s), but I thought I'd start my research now. I've tried the search function, and have gotten some good results, but I figured I would ask here for additional information I couldn't find.

1)What is your preferred brand of Cat Litter? Pros? Cons? Is your preferred litter clay-based or something else?

Way before, from the very first day my boy was rescued when he was around 3 - 4 weeks old, he was using Bentonite Clay Litter and have been using that for almost 7 years. He's coming to 9 years old year end.
Cons : Bentonite Clay Litter is very dusty and tracks around the house together with my boy's foot prints. Gets stuck to the litterbox wall and hard to clean off as it turns to clay when wet. Also it is very heavy to carry when the stock arrives.

After using Bentonite Clay Litter and after some research, switched over to Tofu Cat Litter. This litter is light weight, absorb well and does not stick to walls of the litter box, even if it does, it's easy to get the whole clump out by just knocking the pee clump from the outside and
even if it does stick to the litterbox wall when I clean the litterbox earlier, it's easy to come off using a scrapper and it comes off clean.

My boy is a corner pee-er' and that is why the pee clam is on the wall of the litterbox but if your cat is not a corner pee-er', you have no problem scooping up the litter clump.

More of this Tofu cat litter here :- a-documentation-on-the-transition-from-clay-litter-to-tofu-cat-litter-for-my-boy.451046


2) Do you prefer feeding dry or wet cat food, dry alone or a mix of both? Most people I know seem to feed a mix. I thought I'd ask the experts on here . What brands do you favor?

My boy have been on wet food from the very beginning till now. He has not tasted dry food before. Wet food keeps my boy hydrated as he is not a water drinker. Also wet food has real meat with proteins and minerals to keep him healthy and fuller. He is not overweight nor underweight. He does not have treats.

He is a fussy eater and he is eating Fussie Cat brand Super Premium Gold Chicken Formula with Gravy with real chicken and delicious gravy which is his favourite.

3) What is your favorite type of nail clipper? Is there anything I should avoid? The same goes with brushes/slickers.

I use a hooman nail clipper to clip his nails (you can use either small or medium size ones). I only clipped them when he's asleep and drowsy and I try to clip as many as I can at one go and continue the rest another day.

Is there anything I should avoid?

Hold the paw gently and gently squeeze to expose the claw. Clip at an angle the way the claw grows. Do not clip the pinkish part of the claw called he 'quick' as that is where the blood vessels are. Clipping a little further away from the 'quick' if ok better than clipping on the 'quick'. It's very painful for the cat and its bleed. Standby some corn flour and just in case you clip the 'quick' and the claw bleeds, stick the claw into the corn flour to stop the bleeding.
Don't forget to clip the dew claw too. This claw always gets stuck to fabric and nettings and it's dangerous when they try to free themselves when getting stuck which may tear off the whole dew claw

The same goes with brushes/slickers.

Not sure if your cat is a long hair or short hair cat. My boy is a short Domestic Shorthair and easy to groom. I use a short bristle brush on him and also use a stick roller.
Brushing with a brush will have many fur dropping on the floor or any surface you are brushing you cat. Remember to wipe the floor or the surface you are brushing your cat so that your cat does not pick the fur up when your cat lie on the floor of walk over it and lick it back to your cat's system when your cat grooms himself. This will reduce hairball tremendously.

I use the sticky roller on him each time he wakes up and also use the sticky roller to go over where he slept as cats drop a lot of fur while sleeping and stays on the fabric like bedsheets, pillows and such.
And also each time he lays in the 'I want to be brushed' position, I'll brush him.

 

[vampiric_conure]

Thank you everyone for your input! I'm getting the cat tomorrow... still deciding on a name, but it's looking more and more like Sigma. But as it is with names, it's written in oatmeal, LOL!

 

[tabbytom]

vampiric_conure

I forgot to mention this, try to find a vet that have cats of their own. Your cat will be in better hands.

 

[GenCat]

Litter - I use a mixture of grass seed and walnut shell, mostly because this is what my husband who does the litter and my cats like. I was concerned about health issues due to litter dust (I also have a air purifier near their main litter area lol)

I recently switched to stainless steel litter boxes as well due to a kitten we had having coccidia and needing to clean super well. I have a quick boiling water pot that I use to clean and sterilize the . Plastic gets scratched up and holds bacteria and smell.

Food - I’ve tried just about everything at this point. I lost a cat to urinary blockage so almost always include something with moisture just in case.

My male long hair hasn’t been a fan of most canned food and tires of it quickly so I’ve switched to homemade with EZComplete. Usually I feed it raw because they all prefer that but safely handling it and keeping down costs can be difficult so it’s not for everyone. I have a whole setup where I freeze extra in silicone ice cube trays for quick defrosting.

Nail clippers/brushes: Everyone else has covered clippers super thoroughly already. Brush will depend on your cats fur type. We have a short hair plushy girl who sheds more than out long hair male, and hair brush won’t get a single hair off of him.

This works well on our long hair boy but he hates it lol he hates all grooming though.

This silicone one for washing dogs works strangely well on our plushy girl.

There’s also a brush called the equigroomer that works well on some fur types. I watched the videos on cats here and it was really helpful to get a feel for how to handle things when grooming.

 

[FriendofFerals]

I have several cat care questions. It could be five years before I get cat(s), but I thought I'd start my research now. I've tried the search function, and have gotten some good results, but I figured I would ask here for additional information I couldn't find.

1)What is your preferred brand of Cat Litter? Pros? Cons? Is your preferred litter clay-based or something else?

2) Do you prefer feeding dry or wet cat food, dry alone or a mix of both? Most people I know seem to feed a mix. I thought I'd ask the experts on here . What brands do you favor?

3) What is your favorite type of nail clipper? Is there anything I should avoid? The same goes with brushes/slickers.

Thanks everyone in advance!

1) After trying all litters and not being a fan of most, I settled on pine pellets. Feline Pine or Feline Fresh. I have two that are asthmatic so having no dust is essential and it's pretty inexpensive and neutralized smells well.

2. I feed wet food whenever possible. 5 years ago everyone got free choice dry Blue Buffalo because it was convenient for me going to work every day. Then one went full diabetic on me, the other two were pre-diabetic, and two were diagnosed stage II kidney disease.

Now it's low-carb wet food and no-carb hydrolyzed dry food for the dry food addicts that won't eat at all unless it's dried. Dry food has high carbohydrates which cats don't need and can't use. It just makes them fat and causes diabetes over time if they eat like addicts. There is no moisture in it which over time is hard on the kidneys and cats don't drink a lot naturally so wet food helps to give them the water they need through food. Just check the carbs because even wet food can be high, especially anything with "gravy". Cats can develop allergies to food additives and proteins out of the blue, or because of exposure over many years. High-quality food, whether wet or dry, has low carbohydrates, lower phosphorous levels, high protein, limited or no additives, preservatives, or thickeners, and enough vitamins and minerals to meet their basic needs. Even so, you may still need to add a probiotic if they are sensitive.

3. Tried many. Just got this one and I love it. It has a light on it so you can see what you're doing.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09LLKNT63/?tag=thecatsite

Brushed: Also tried everything. My cats hate being brushed. Some tolerate a grooming glove and not a brush. One tolerates only a flea comb! One has sensory issues after abuse and won't tolerate grooming at all. Each cat is different and you may have to try several brushes to find one that works for your cat.

 

[Meowmee]

1-We use World's Best low tracking- I am not a huge fan due to a lot of dust everywhere which is bad for asthma- but it is unscented and clumps fairly well, although it takes longer. Tracking is average, dust is terrible. If I could find anything better I would switch but all the other ones I have tried had worse issues. the Cat Genie toilet was the best, but it has broken and Quinn is the only one who has used it in the past. With 3 cats, one who is untouchable and scared etc, he would prolly never use it, I would need at least two of them now. The litter is plastic so no dust, it is washed after each cycle. Bad for soft stool and it got clogged at times and was a bit of a hassle at times. The newer version is supposed to be better. If they could use a human toilet that would be the best.

2- We eat dry and wet, currently a combo of fancy feast cans, reveal fish treats, and Orijen grain free, just added it in, Dr. Elsey's grain free high protein chicken, and yes awful meow mix. The mm started when I brought in three outdoors who were eating that. At some point we may go back to homemade cooked with chicken, chicken liver and supplements from knowwhatyoufeed.com
I had to stop that due to an injury and hope to start again at some point. For dishes I use small glass plates, metal dog bowls and cups for water. My cats like to share a dish especially Zena & Cinn. In general wet food is better, but Sybil preferred her Orijen, but she ate some wet food too.

3- Nail clipper- your regular cat claw clipper, the smaller ones.

4- Brushes- slickers, greyhound comb and other combs, sometimes the furminator, but that I used more Merlin who although he was sh, shed the most and was very fluffy. I used them for my past cats also. Zena is the only one-lh- I really brush/comb, Quinn gets overstimulate from more than a few seconds. Zena gets mats so I try to do it more often to prevent it, he doesn't like brushing but he hates getting out mats even more.