Page 212 - The Complete Cat Breed Book (DK)

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210 C ARE AND BEHA VIOR

Establishing a routine Decide on regular mealtimes TOP TIP
Cats are creatures of habit. Setting a routine in the early for your cat, and always put the Plan when you will give
days will help your cat or kitten to settle into his new bowls in the same place. By your cat his first feeding.
home and make him feel secure. Eventually, your cat doing this, you can keep an eye You won’t want your cat
howling for its 6 a.m.
will develop his own patterns of behavior around your on his appetite, and it will also
weekday breakfast on a
family’s daily schedule. prove useful for training to Saturday or Sunday if
Base your routine around regular activities such as know when he’s hungry. you like sleeping in on the
weekend. If you train a cat
feeding, grooming, and playtime. You will need to be If your cat needs regular
to eat at a certain time,
consistent with this for several months, so make sure it grooming, aim to do this at stick to your side of the
fits in with your own commitments and habits. Cats do not the same time each day. bargain—feed him at the
like constant change—it can stress them and may result in Grooming may not be your same time every day.
behavioral problems such as digging, chewing, biting, and cat’s favorite activity, but it
general hostility. A regular routine will also help you notice will be tolerated if your pet knows it’s only going to take
any changes in your cat’s behavior and health. Predictability a limited amount of time. Grooming just before mealtime or
means safety to your cat. playtime will give your cat an incentive to be close by and to
cooperate with the process.
Having a regular playtime is also a good idea. It gives your
cat something to look forward to and reduces the likelihood
of “mad hours,” when your cat goes crazy and rushes around
the house or won’t leave you alone. Make sure that playtime
is a worthwhile experience with plenty of variety and a
decent amount of time devoted solely to the cat.

REGULAR MEALTIMES PREPARING THE LITTER BOX
Giving your cat meals at set Make sure the litter box is set up
times of the day is just one of and ready for use by the time you
many routines that will help bring your cat home—you never
him to adjust to his new home. know how soon it may be needed.