Janet Skiles - How to Care for Your Cat

My kittys name is _________________________.

The color of my kitty is _________________________

My kitty has long or short hair _________________________.

My kitty is _________________________ years old

Draw a picture of your kitty in the space below.

A Color & Learn Guide for Kids

How to Care for Your

CAT

Janet Skiles

DOVER PUBLICATIONS, INC.
Mineola, New York

NOTE

Cats are a lot of fun to play with and have as pets, but they do need care and attention from you to remain happy and healthy. In this coloring book are tips on how to keep your cat safe, what to do when you bring a new kitten home, how to cat proof your home, and more. You can color the pages with crayons, pencils, or markers. There is also a connect-the-dots puzzle on page 29 and a chart to keep track of your daily kitty care on page 30.

Copyright
Copyright 2011 by Dover Publications, Inc.
All rights reserved.

Bibliographical Note

How to Care for Your Cat: A Color & Learn Guide for Kids is a new work, first

published by Dover Publications, Inc., in 2011.

International Standard Book Number
ISBN-13: 978-0-486-48148-7
ISBN-10: 0-486-48148-4

Manufactured in the United States by Courier Corporation
48148401
www.doverpublications.com

You can adopt a kitten or cat from a local animal shelter or a pet shop. Be sure to choose the best match for your lifestyle. Kittens are very active and older cats are more laid back and love to just curl up in your lap.

Your new companion will need to visit the veterinarian (pet doctor) for vaccinations and a check-up. The veterinarian will tell you everything you need to know about keeping your pet healthy.

Sometimes cats can wander off and get lost. Make sure your cat has a collar with an identification tag attached to it. The tag should have your address and phone number on it. This way if somebody finds your cat they will be able to find you.

Kittens are very curious and can sometimes get in trouble when roaming around a new home. Make sure you have a nice, safe area set aside for your new kitten. Add a soft, fluffy bed and your new arrival will feel right at home!

Cats need plenty of fresh food and water. When you first bring your cat home make sure you buy the same food she was used to eating, otherwise she could get an upset stomach. You can switch her food over to your brand a little at a time.

Your cats litter box should be kept clean at all times. Cats can be fussy and dont like dirty litter boxes. You should have at least one litter box on each level of your home, especially if you have a young kitten or an older cat.

Kittens love to have fun, so make sure you have plenty of safe toys on hand for him to play with including little plush toys and balls. Also, kittens love to climb on things, so get him a scratching post.

Cats need to have a scratching post in the house. They use the post for climbing, stretching, and to remove the outer layer of their nails to keep them sharp. Scratching posts come in all different shapes and sizes.

When picking up your cat, place one hand under her chest right behind his front legs, then place your other hand under his back legs and lift him up holding him close to your body. Never pick your cat up by the scruff of the neck!

Keep your cats coat in good condition with regular brushing sessions. Short-haired cats need brushing once a week; long-haired cats should be brushed once a day. After you are done, give your cat a treat!

Once your new kitten is used to all her new surroundings, you can let her start to explore the rest of the house. Make sure you keep an eye on her so she doesnt wind up in trouble.

To keep your cat safe you need to think like a cat! Get down on the floor and look around for small objects he could choke on, electrical wires he might want to chew, or anything else that could be dangerous for a curious cat.

Cats can easily choke on small items such as rubber bands, paper clips, broken balloons, thumb tacks, Christmas tree tinsel, and ribbons. They can also get their heads stuck in the handles of plastic bags and choke, so store them away in a cabinet.

Make sure that all cords for your curtains and blinds are tied up high out of reach and out of sight of your kitten. Electrical cords can be fastened together and pulled up so they are not laying on the floor.

Curious cats like to explore by jumping up on things like furniture. Sometimes this can get them into trouble. Especially when they jump on a table and knock over a valuable treasure. So keep anything breakable off your tables.

Until your kitten is trained to use a scratching post, you should cover your couches and chairs with some blankets. This will protect your furniture from the claws of your kitten and keep it clean.