European Shorthair Cat: Feeding, Care And Maintenance

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European Shorthair Cat: Feeding, Care And Maintenance
European Shorthair Cat: Feeding, Care And Maintenance

Video: European Shorthair Cat: Feeding, Care And Maintenance

Video: European Shorthair Cat: Feeding, Care And Maintenance
Video: European Shorthair | Cats 101 2024, March
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What to buy for keeping a European Shorthair cat?

To keep cats of this breed, you need to purchase a standard set of items, consisting of:

- bowls (2 pieces), preferably ceramic or metal, - tray - can be of any configuration, but preferably with high sides. Before buying a tray, you need to decide if filler will be used. If not, then buy a tray with a grate. In this case, you will have to constantly wash it and remove feces, since most cats refuse to go to a dirty litter box. If you are using litter, choose a tray without a grid. Don't forget to buy a scoop to remove used filler. Fillers are different and only some of them can be flushed down the toilet, most of them will have to be disposed of as regular waste, - a sleeping place (a bed or a house) can be made by yourself or you can buy a ready-made one, - a scratching post is necessary for any cat, since it helps to maintain the claws in a healthy state, - a carrier will be needed for various trips, - toys (2-4 pcs) can be omitted, but do it yourself. Sometimes cats find their own toys, however, they are not interested in whether we need this thing or not. Crumpled paper, candy wrappers on a string, a laser pointer, squeaking and rustling mice and balls, moving and flashing toys, toilet paper or paper towel sleeves, champagne and plastic bottle caps, etc. are suitable as toys.

European shorthair cat, photo of cat breed photography
European shorthair cat, photo of cat breed photography

In addition, do not forget to install anti-cat screens on the windows to prevent the cat from dying when falling out of the window.

What to feed the European Shorthair cat and how often?

It is advisable to feed European shorthairs with super and super premium food. These foods have everything a cat needs to be healthy.

If you are a supporter of natural feeding, then there are no special conditions for feeding these cats. Everything is the same as for the rest: give only boiled sea fish (no more than twice a week), raw liver no more than once a week, and pork in any form cannot be given. From meat they give chicken, turkey, veal, lamb. Since cats are predators and their intestines are not designed to digest large amounts of fiber, the content of grains (wheat, oats, barley, rice, etc.) should be minimal, as should the carbohydrate content. Fruits and vegetables should also be included in the diet. Do not give cats fatty, sour, sweet, bitter and spices (dill, onion, garlic, etc.). Do not forget about vitamins and minerals, be sure to add fatty acids and taurine to the diet, which the cat cannot do without.

All products must be fresh. Cooked food is stored in the refrigerator for no more than 48 hours. If there is still food in the bowl ten minutes after the start of the feed, the bowl is refrigerated until the next feed. Remember, cats should not be given cold food, especially frozen food, as this is bad for their stomach. Milk in many adult cats causes intestinal upset (up to diarrhea).

Water should always be available to the cat. Pet stores now sell special fountains for cats, which are popular with four-legged pets as many of them prefer to drink running water rather than from a bowl.

Throughout a cat's life, it is necessary to monitor its weight, because the older the animal becomes, the faster it gains excess weight. And this, in turn, is fraught with serious health problems: from diabetes to lipidosis (obesity) of the liver.

European shorthair cat, photo of cat breed photography
European shorthair cat, photo of cat breed photography

How to care for the coat of a European Shorthair cat?

Since cats of this breed are short-haired, their care is minimal. Once a week, you need to walk on the wool with a rubber mitten, and the shedding period is 2-3 times a week. Some owners recommend bathing the cat for quick shedding during this period. These cats are rarely bathed, only as they become dirty - 2-3 times a year, since with frequent bathing, the wool becomes brittle.

Despite the fact that these cats are shorthaired, they need to be regularly given a paste to remove hairballs from the stomach.

How to care for the eyes, ears, teeth and claws of a shorthaired cat?

Here, too, everything is pretty simple. The teeth of European shorthaired cats are brushed at least twice a month, but preferably once a week.

European shorthair cat (EKSH)
European shorthair cat (EKSH)

Related article European Shorthair Cat (EKSH)

Discharge from the eyes is removed daily with a gauze pad (or cotton pad) dipped in cool boiled water or a special lotion for eye care. Use a separate tissue / disc for each eye.

The ears are examined once a week and, as they become dirty, cleaned with cotton wool (or a napkin) dipped in vegetable oil or a solution of apple cider vinegar and water (50/50). If a lot of sulfur has accumulated in the ears, then use ear lotion to remove it (read the instructions carefully before using). If the ears are red, inflamed, smell bad, covered with a black coating, the cat constantly scratches and shakes them, it is necessary to show the animal to the doctor.

Claws, like all other cat breeds, are trimmed with a special nail clipper at least twice a week. You cannot use ordinary scissors, since the claws after such a procedure begin to exfoliate.

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