Food Question

Hello,

I am new to the forum. I just put down my 10 year old long haired Tortie - I still have a medium length hair male orange tabby. I am looking to rescue another female long haired kitty.

I have joined because I want to be a better cat owner. I own dogs as well, and am very active with them and their health. With the passing of my kitty, I want to make sure my next kitty and my current kitty's lives are as rewarding as my dogs.

So, I kinda need the run down. - Right now they have a set up on the lower level with three levels of beds, toys, food, water etc. that are away from my dogs. I would like to know how to improve this, whats the best way to feed, whats the best food, and the best toys. I am an excellent dog owner and a terrible cat owner. Help me learn fast what I've been doing wrong. I have started researching and I am over whelmed, so some pointers could help.

Here's what i know:
I need a cat tree and a some window spots for them to sit upstairs.
I shouln't free feed anymore
I think I'm to to TOTW mixed with wet food.

What I want to know:
What else should I do
What are the best toys
What supplements should I give to prevent cancers, utis, etc.

Thanks for any pointers

Also, Mods, i couldn't find the intro section, please move this if need be. Thanks!

Welcome to TCS


Some cats actually do better with free feeding ... I personally measure free feed .. I have four kitties who get 1/2 cup of dry a day .... so every morning I put in 1/2 cup in both feeding stations and every evening the same..

They also get canned food, freeze dried raw and homemade

Most cats love cat trees but some could care less they need more interactive time with you like a lazer or cat dancer....Best toys depend on the cat ... for nearly 19 yrs I collected the bands from gallons on milk for my girl , now I have 2 who like to eat plastic

Your vet is your kitties best friend ... and will if needed recommend supplements or meds according to age, issues and other factors

DO NOT mix wet and dry unless the cat will eat it all within 20 minutes.. you can have a bacterial bloom

Basically cats are like people they are individual in nearly all respects ...

I also free choice feed my cats dry, it works for us in all respects.. from what i have read cats are grazers eating multiple small meals daily which i know from watching my own over the years is true for mine at least.

Their fed wet food twice daily. When it comes to food that is almost the age old question.. what is the best food? trouble is there is no single correct answer, it's what you can afford, obtain and your cats do best on.. what works for others may simply not work for your cats. My only suggestion that i feel translates to all is avoiding chemical preservatives and that is pretty much avoidable in all budget ranges of dry foods just read your ingredient panel.

As for cat trees, i have them here i actually got a custom one built because i have ragdolls they generally are large and i couldn't find a decent bed size on the standard trees commonly available. It's been a great investment not only for scratching(mine are all fully clawed) but a safe rest spot from the nosey dogs

I admit we don't have 'cat beds' truthfully mine prefer your standard cardboard box which i easily got from the bag your own grocery store.. their cheap(well better than, their free ) and can be replaced if needed. Of coarse not all want cardboard boxed scattered around their home but i have found this has been a big cost saver and they truly pick them over 'fancy beds' anyday.

Toys? mine like cat teasers.. the old classic 'turbo scratcher'
http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...ductId=2753802
and the very simple, roll up a wad of paper and bat it around the floor concept some of mine will even play with the dogs and enjoy a run/wrestle with one another..

another liked toy here is the kickaroo sounds silly but all of them like it especially my female.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...ductId=3618952

Good luck with your kitties!