🇬🇧 Guide to living with cats

Today is the day to talk about simple rules of etiquette for those who have cats and for those who live with them, including those who would prefer not to have cats around.

For those who have cats:

• Play with your cat for a few minutes a day. Don't think that buying toys is enough. You have to participate in the game.

• Offer fresh, clean water and good quality feed (super premium) in quantities appropriate to the size and age of the animal.

• Collect the cat's feces and urine lumps in the litter box daily. You should have enough litter boxes available for the number of cats you have at home.

• Vaccinate your cat correctly and fight endo and ectoparasites with veterinary guidance.

• Provide a comfortable place for your pet to sleep. Heated, without humidity and with good ventilation.

• If you live in an apartment, have all windows and balconies protected with screens to prevent the animal from leaving. If you live at home there are already interesting products on the market to prevent cats from being able to climb the walls. Cats on the street can be run over, poisoned, hurt themselves in fights, among other unpleasant options. You are responsible for your pet's health and longevity, so keep it at home.

• Neutering your cats.

• Never hurt a cat.  Be it yours, someone else's or a stray cat.

• Before buying a breed cat, get to know the breed standard on the official FIFE website (www.fifeweb.org), to increase the chances that the acquired animal will really have the characteristics of the breed and that you will be prepared to deal with its needs. If you just want a cute cat, adopt it. Buying by status or just to show off the animal's physical beauty is a pathetic and irresponsible choice. All the cats I have had to date have been adopted and are or were beautiful. I still want to buy giant cats, but Thor weighs more than the average female ragdoll. I want one that gets a lot bigger.

• Never abandon a cat.

• Never physically attack a cat.

• Have scratchers or cardboard boxes scattered around the house to prevent them from scratching your furniture.

For those who live with cats:

• Report abuse when you have evidence.

• Understand that cats meow, and if you have any type of meow intolerance you should see a psychologist.

• When visiting someone who has a cat, understand that you are the visitor and the cat is the owner of the house, in most cases. Even if you don't feel comfortable, respect the animal. If you are allergic, take an antiallergic before the visit, with medical advice.

• If you notice that your neighbour is neglecting the animal, offer help before complaining.

• If you don't want cats entering your yard or garden, cover it completely with screens. Never poison the animals entering if you don't close the accesses.

• If you don't want to help your neighbour, if you hate cats and don't want to seek psychological help, go live in the countryside, away from civilisation. No one is forced to tolerate your intolerance for something perfectly natural. And I warn you that the chances of finding cats in the countryside are great, so put the previous suggestion into practice.

If you like these tips, pay me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/nycka

Nycka, the Nomad