It’s kitten season, so a lot of people are going to be new cat parents! Whether it’s through the cat distribution system or by visiting their local rescue, here are some tips if this is your first time having a cat (but it can never hurt to take a refresher course, right?) 1. Cats will do best on a wet food diet. In the wild, cats consume 80% of their water by eating it. One of the main reasons we see cats at our hospital is for urinary issues caused by chronic dehydration, and can mainly be solved by increasing their water intake. See our previous video for tips to encourage water drinking for your cat! 2. The Golden Rule of Litter Boxes is n + 1, which means, one litter box per cat, plus one per household. If you have 2 cats, that means 3 litter Boxes. This is really important both for the comfort of your individual cat, but also to prevent what is the most common reason for sibling issues. Many times it starts at the litter box - would you want to share a porta potty with your sibling? 3. Brush your cats teeth, please. Oral hygiene is the best way to stay on top of your pet’s health, and just like in humans their mouth is the gateway to their overall health. If you want tips to get started brushing their teeth, check our IG reel from Feb 28 with Charlie! 4. Cats need as much mental stimulation as dogs do! They even like playing fetch, learning new tricks, and chasing toys on sticks. They like watching birds or playing games, so be sure to spend some time every day playing with them.  5. Cats need a place to hide. A lot of new pet parents might try to block off the bottom of their bed because they notice their cat is spending a lot of time there, but cats need a space that they feel safe in! If you don’t want them going under your bed we recommend providing them with a box, their crate, or other hidey holes for them! 6. Please. Don’t even bother bringing lilies home. I wish they were marked with a warning for cat parents at the store. 7. Even indoor cats need flea and tick preventative! Fleas and ticks can travel indoors via other pets, mice, items, or even… on YOU. 8. Vomiting is NOT normal for cats. It may be common, but it needs to be treated for every cat vomiting more than once a month something that is not a hairball. We have a whole YT series if you’d like to check that out :) 9. And… please bring them to the vet for yearly exams. This helps your veterinary team monitor their health, weight, and discuss any questions you may have about your cat. #apccvet #cattips #catparent #catvet #veterinarian #askavet #catdistributionsystem