• Do use pine, wheat, corn or paper based cat litter. Click HERE for more information.
• Do use glass, stainless, or food grade ceramic food and water bowls.
• Do feed high-grade food for maintaining good health – it is easier to stay healthy than to get healthy again! We feel that 80% quality dry Cat food and 20% quality wet Cat food is the healthiest combination for your Cat. Click HERE for more information.
• Do wash water bowls with dish soap daily to prevent giardia from tainting the standing water – Cats systems are more sensitive than dogs.
• Do keep food and water bowls away from the litter box to limit contamination.
• Do keep the litter box clean on a daily basis and change the entire box of litter every week to two weeks – cleaning the inside of the litter box with disinfectant and rinsing well with clear water, dry thoroughly and add new fresh litter to a depth of 3 to 4 inchs.
• Do clip you Cat’s nails every four to five weeks as needed. Only use a specific cat nail clipper; the guillotine variety seems to function the best. See the "How to clip a Cat's nails" article to be posted soon.
• Do provide your Cat with appropriate toys, scratching posts, and attention.
• Do keep your Cat inside your home, unless on a leash or in a Cat “stroller.” Free access via a Cat Door to a Cat Habitat can help to give your Cat the fresh air and sunshine for the best health.
• Do be aware of poisonous items often in a home. Many household plants can be poisonous, such as chrysanthemum, weeping fig, creeping fig, and poinsettia, as well as aspirin or other human drugs, petroleum products such as kerosene and gasoline, antifreeze, all types of mouse or rat poison, plus snake, toad, salamander bites, and rarely food poisoning from garbage. (Cats are much more particular in their choice of food than dogs, so this would be more often for a stray cat outside.) An extensive list of potentially poisonous plant is currently being researched.
• Do live in harmony with your feline friend. We began the process of teaching them how to be "good" Cats; continue to teach them how to live happily with you. Bengals are very intelligent and will quickly learn how you would like them to act. Check back for tips on how to correctly discipline your Cat.
• Above all, enjoy and love your Cat! The rewards are many.
Don’t
• Don't use clay based cat litter. The clumping clay can cause respiratory problems and intestinal problems. Very young kittens can even die from ingesting clay litter.
• Don't use plastic food or water dishes. They can harbor bacteria and odors, which can be harmful and unappetizing to your Cat.
• Don't place food, and especially water bowls, directly on radiant heated floors as this can cause bacteria to form very quickly. Place a teacup saucer under the bowl to raise it or purchase a raised bowl stand to prevent direct contact with the floor.
• Don't change food type abruptly – add 10% of the new food to the current food, then next day 20%, etc., until changed over. Abrupt changes can cause loose stools and be unpleasant for both of you. Cats do not need the same variety as humans. Extra "Treats" don't count as a "food change."
• Don't feed your Cat “grocery store” brands of cat food. They do not have the correct amount of protein or other nutrients in them and your Cat’s health can suffer from poor nutrition. Also, don't feed your Cat "table scraps." You may feed cooked chicken (we feed organic, cooked chicken as treats) or turkey to supplement their diet. We advise adding "The Missing Link" super food supplement with a little room temperature water to ensure the proper amont of taurine and other essential nutrients.
• Don't feed your Cat tuna fish. There is too much mercury in the fish and eventually can cause mercury poisoning, due to the small size of a cat compared to a human and the frequency of eating tuna.
• Don't allow the litter box to become overly soiled… would you like to step into a dirty litter box with your bare feet? A Cat will let you know if it is too dirty to step into the box and tell you that they have a problem.
• Don't have your Cat de-clawed. Clip their claws instead.
• Don't allow your Cat to roam freely outside. There are far too many dangers for your Cat to be alone outside of your home. In the Southwest, coyote can be a very serious threat to small domestic animals. Other dangers may come from dogs, other cats, cars, and even well meaning humans.
Did you know that Cats are attracted to food first by smell, then by texture, and last by taste?
We are researching the "Poisonous Plant List" and will be posting an expanded list soon. Please check back to see this valuable information.
