Cats - Everything for these fascinating creatures on Precious paws in our cat store!

In Switzerland, cats clearly beat dogs in terms of numbers as pets - around 1.85 million velvet paws purr and meow in this country, while the barking faction barely makes it to half a million. This means that in about 30% of all Swiss households, at least one cat flashes its emerald eyes. Keeping a cat is a beautiful, but like all animal husbandry, also a responsible task. Before you get a cat, you should inform yourself well about how to keep and care for it appropriately and build a happy and healthy relationship with your house tiger:

• Do you have enough space for one or more cats (especially for indoor housing)?
• Is the landlord's permission available?
• Are you financially able to purchase the initial equipment and, above all, to pay the potentially high veterinary costs?
• A cat is not a dog, but it also wants to be kept busy, played with or cuddled, especially if it is kept alone or in an apartment. Do you have enough time and desire to do so over several years?
  
  

If you can answer these questions with a "Yes", you should next consider your individual living situation and decide on this basis whether you can and want to offer the cat outdoor access or not. For a cat, it is generally always great if it has the opportunity to go outside. This allows it to live out its hunting and exploration instinct and keep itself physically and mentally fit. However, for various reasons (busy traffic environment, health restrictions, no permission from the landlord, living on high floors, etc.), this is not always possible. A terrace or a balcony is also a good option. You can read about how to design this in a cat-friendly way in one of our guide articles: A balcony for the cat - safe and interesting!

Especially if the cat is kept indoors, it should not necessarily be kept alone. Cats are very social beings and in most cases appreciate a feline buddy to play, romp and cuddle with. Exceptions prove the rule and of course there are also loners, which often affects older cats that have been kept alone from a young age or have had very bad experiences with conspecifics (for example former stray cats from animal welfare).

Are you already a cat owner and are considering getting another cat and how to introduce them? Since cats are social but quite territorial, this is not always easy and can require a lot of patience. You can also find an interesting article on this topic here: A second cat – is that a good idea or not? In connection with the topic of multi-cat households, the question of female or male cat usually arises. This guide article on the subject of cat gender is also very recommended and exciting to read for cat beginners! When acquiring one or more kittens, new cat owners are usually also occupied with the question of if and when neutering should take place.

If you have decided on a cat, you naturally also need some equipment and care accessories and, last but not least, suitable food to offer your new furry family member a long and happy cat life:

Equipment

Besides at least one scratching option (best is a large cat scratcher), various cat toys, food and water bowls, several sleeping and retreat options are recommended. A litter box is also indispensable. The ideal number of litter boxes corresponds to the number of cats plus one. For 2 cats, this would therefore be 3 litter boxes.

Feeding

The right diet is crucial for the health and well-being of the cat. Cats are carnivores and therefore need high-quality food with a high proportion of animal protein. Wet food contains more moisture and is therefore good for the cat's kidney function, dry food promotes dental health. Both wet and dry food have their advantages and disadvantages. The following info text can help you in your search for the right form of food for your cat: Wet or dry food – what is better for my cat?

Care

Cats are very clean animals and groom themselves several times a day. Nevertheless, you should help them with coat care, especially with long-haired breeds. Regular brushing removes loose hair, dirt and parasites from the coat and reduces the formation of hairballs in the cat's stomach. Provided your cat likes combing, it can also strengthen the bond between you and your velvet paw.

In addition to the coat, you should also check the cat's eyes, ears, teeth and claws and clean or trim them if necessary. For outdoor cats, it is important to check them regularly for ticks or injuries and treat them against fleas.

Cats bring a lot of love, relaxation, moments of laughter and sometimes also worries and difficult decisions into the lives of their owners. Below we have compiled some questions and answers for you, with which cat lovers are often confronted over time: