🐾 How to Look After a Cat: A Cat Care Guide for Kids
Looking after a cat is a team job for the whole family. Here is how kids can help keep a cat happy, healthy and safe.
Food and water
Cats need cat food and fresh water every day. Read our cat food guide to learn what cats eat and which foods to keep away from them.
Grooming
Cats keep themselves clean by licking their fur, but brushing helps, especially for long-haired cats like Persians. Long-haired cats usually need brushing every day, short-haired cats about once a week.
Brush gently, in the direction the fur grows, and stop if the cat has had enough.
Never cut a cat's whiskers: cats use them to feel their way. Claw trimming is a job for a grown-up or a vet, and a scratching post helps keep claws healthy.
Play
Cats love to chase, pounce and play. A couple of short play times a day keeps them fit and happy.
Use toys like wand toys and balls, not your hands or feet, so the cat learns that hands are for gentle strokes.
Put away string, ribbons, rubber bands and hair ties after playing, because cats can swallow them.
Sleep
Cats sleep a lot, around 12 to 16 hours a day! Give your cat a cosy, quiet bed and let it sleep without being disturbed.
Many cats are most playful early in the morning and in the evening.
The litter tray
Cats like a clean litter tray in a quiet spot. Cleaning it is a grown-up job, and everyone should wash their hands after touching it.
Vet visits
Cats visit the vet for check-ups (usually at least once a year), vaccinations and a microchip, which helps a lost cat get home.
A grown-up should call the vet if a cat stops eating, seems hurt, hides a lot or just does not seem like itself.
Being a kind friend
Let the cat come to you, and stroke it gently on the head, cheeks and back. Many cats do not like their tummy touched.
A tail held up high usually means a happy hello. A puffed-up tail or flat ears mean "leave me alone", so give the cat some space.
Never pull a cat's tail or ears, and ask a grown-up to show you how to hold a cat safely, with one hand under its bottom.
A safe home
Keep medicines, cleaning products and lilies away from cats, and keep windows and balconies safe so cats cannot fall.
Cat care questions
How often should I brush my cat?
Long-haired cats usually need brushing every day, and short-haired cats about once a week. Always brush gently.
How much do cats sleep?
Most cats sleep around 12 to 16 hours a day, and kittens and older cats often sleep even more.
How often does a cat need to see the vet?
Most cats should have a check-up at least once a year. A grown-up should call the vet sooner if the cat seems unwell.
Do cats need baths?
Most cats keep themselves clean and rarely need a bath. If a cat gets very dirty, a grown-up can ask a vet what to do.
How can I tell if a cat is happy?
A happy cat often holds its tail up, purrs, rubs its cheeks on you and gives slow blinks.
What toys are safe for cats?
Wand toys, balls and toy mice are great when someone plays with the cat. Put away string, ribbons and hair ties after playing, because cats can swallow them.
Look after your own cat in My Mini Cat
In the game you can feed your cat, give it a bubble bath, play with it and put it to bed.
🐾 Play with your cat 🐟 Cat food guide 🐱 Cat breeds