1. Keep your cat indoors. There are many dangers lurking outside for the unsuspecting cat wanderer. He could be hit by a car while crossing the street, or he might be injured in a fight with another animal. Since he is likely to be exposed to other animals if he goes out, he will also be exposed to more diseases. Your cat might also be poisoned, either accidentally, perhaps by licking a puddle of anti-freeze (it has a sweet taste), or on purpose. Not everyone loves cats as much as you do, and your neighbors may take offense at your kitty digging in their yard.

2. Feed a grainless, high quality food. Cats are carnivores, which means they need to get the majority of their nutrition from animal sources. They don’t need grain or corn in their diet at all, and too many carbs can actually be bad for them. Since they are primarily desert animals, they also have a low thirst drive. They don’t drink a lot of water, so they need moisture in their food to make up for it. Dry cat food, which is basically meat flavored cereal, is about the least nutritious food you can feed your cat.

3. Get a good scratching post. Scratching is natural for cats. If you want to keep your cat from scratching your furniture, you need to provide an alternative. Make sure it is tall enough for him to stretch his whole body while scratching, and is a texture that he will like, such as sisal or cardboard. Don’t get a carpet covered post. This may send the message that it is okay to claw your carpet, too.

4. Get your cat a cat tree. Some cats like to observe what’s going on around them from a high perch. Other cats prefer to stay closer to the ground. Whichever your cat prefers, make sure she has a perch at an appropriate level for her comfort. Your cat furniture should have a heavy base, and be stable enough that it doesn’t tip over if your cat takes a running leap onto it. A comfy hammock is also a nice touch.

5. Give your kitty a window perch. Just because he can’t go outside doesn’t mean he can’t watch the goings on out there. He can watch the other critters that come around from a safe distance, and maybe chase bugs across the window pane. A window perch may also help save the backs of your furniture from regular cat fur deposits.

6. Make sure you have the right number and type of litter boxes. Especially if you have multiple cats, the rule of thumb is to have the same number of boxes as you have cats, plus one. Cats are territorial, and not always willing to share. And sometimes, a cat will prefer to use one box to do number one and another box for number two. You also need to make sure the boxes are big enough for your cat to stand up comfortably to do her business.

7. Make sure you use the right cat litter. Your cat’s sense of smell is much stronger than yours, so please don’t fill his box with perfumey smelling litter. You might think this will help keep the odor down, but it is overwhelming to your cat, and may make him avoid the box altogether. Also, make sure the litter is not too dusty. You don’t want him breathing in a cloud of dust every time he digs around in there.

8. Regularly groom or have your cat groomed. This will help get rid of the dead hair, so your kitty doesn’t swallow it, cutting down on hairballs. You also need to get rid of mats in her fur, which are painful and can damage the delicate skin underneath. Gently brushing your cat is a great way to spend quality time and bond with her. Plus she will be extra beautiful when you are done!

9. Don’t over-vaccinate. Vaccinations are important when your cat is a kitten, and at risk from a number of deadly diseases. However, research suggests that yearly vaccinations are not only unnecessary, but they can put your cat at risk for injection site sarcomas and autoimmune diseases. At most, you should vaccinate your cat every three years, although some people think that the core series of kitten vaccines are sufficient. You can get periodic titers done if you are worried. And never vaccinate a sick cat, because their immune system already has enough to deal with.

Raising a coddled cat starts with the basics. If you provide your kitty with a safe environment, good nutrition and the right creature comforts, you will be off to a great start to a long and happy life together!