Top tips from Chloe McArdle on National Cat Day

Litter of five kittens - yet to be named (ready for adoption in five weeks)

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Friday 28 October is National Cat Day and Chloe McArdle, who is studying a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management at Hopwood Hall, gives you her top five tips for keeping a happy and healthy cat.

1. Manage their time in and out of your home

It typically takes at least three weeks for your feline friend to bond with the people and other animals in the house. The cat should regard your house as a secure place before being let out, or you may find the cat does not return when you open the door. Cats living indoors require less food than a cat which has outdoor access. You’ll also need to exercise your cat more by playing and providing stimulating activities.

2. Be creative

Cats love recycled toys: old paper wrapped into a ball, boxes to hide in and small bottles with something rattling inside. Keeping your cat mentally stimulated helps keep them healthy and also strengthens the bond between cat and owner.

My own cat is a big fan of the Fishing Rods I made from a simple stick with string and feathers tied onto the end.

3. Weapons of choice

One of the most crucial battles you must win with your cat is the war on critters.

Fleas are one of the most common forms of pests your cat may fall victim too and prevention is often better than a cure. Consult your vet about routine treatments to keep your cat free of these blood sucking parasites - shampoos are rarely effective and should be avoided.

If your cat has fleas, your house will also need treating to remove flea eggs, otherwise it is likely your flea problem will never go away.

Routine prevention from worms and ear mites is also essential. Ear mites can often block the ear canal, cause infections and can spread to other animals in your home.

4. Share the love

Grooming your cat is essential. Doing so keeps fur and skin in good condition, enables you to check for any signs of ill health, and helps build the relationship between you.

Long-haired cats need to be groomed thoroughly every day to remove all tangles, otherwise they will quickly become matted. If your cat is not used to being groomed, this activity needs to be introduced gradually, keeping sessions short until the cat begins to accept it. Start with areas of the body where the cat enjoys being stroked and give food rewards for good behaviour.

In terms of treats, most cats absolutely love ‘catnip’. The herbal treat contains the feline attractant nepetalactone, inducing reactions of drooling, sleepiness, anxiety, leaping about and purring – depending on your cat’s personality and genetic makeup.

5. Neutering

The benefits are of neutering are often crucial. A mature tomcat will spray your house (his territory) with strong smelling urine to mark his boundaries, get into fights risking injury and risk injury on the roads whilst out looking for a mate. Castration at the specified age can prevent all of the above.

By leaving your female cat un-spayed could not only leave you with the worry of finding kind and caring homes for her offspring, but you will also be adding to the already massive problem of unwanted kittens and cats.

A male kitten can be castrated from the age of five months, with females needing to be spayed at five to six months to prevent her having kittens.