Monday, May 19, 2008

Leashes and Grooming Aids

The type of basic equipment you need – there’s not much of it, in any case – depends on whether you are going to let your cat go outside or not. Sooner or later, however, you will need these items:

Collar and Leash – In many areas, particularly urban areas, you are legally required to keep your cat on a leash. In any area, your cat should have a collar with an attached identification tag. If you are going to keep the cat indoors or not let him go outside in your company, a regular cat collar is all that is necessary. If you are going to let the cat outside on his own, you should get a collar that has an elastic band built in; if the collar gets caught on something ( a branch for instance) while the cat is jumping it will slip off rather than trap and strangle the cat.

Brush and Comb – A short-haired cat needs to be brushed with a medium-stiff brush. A long-haired cat should be comb before brushing.

Nail Clippers – If you have not had your cat declawed, clipping his nails may spare your furniture a lot of damage. Don’t ever use human nail clippers on your cat. You can get special cat nail clippers from any pet supplier. If you don’t know what to get, ask your veterinarian.

Cat Carrier – A cat carrier is a must for every cat owner. It’s a container, usually made like a wide-bottomed suitcase, with a carrying handle, plenty of ventilation holes, and sometimes a peephole or window. Carriers come I many styles. Some have a clear plastic or wire mesh upper half or front so that the cat can see out, but some nervous cats prefer not to see out. Cats feel very safe in the carrier – the confinement is reassuring – and using carrier is by far the easiest way to transport the cat to the veterinarian, groomer, or boarding kennel. Carriers come in a variety of styles and materials and are available from any pet supply store.

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