What is this Project About?
Cats are a wonderful addition to a family and great companions for anyone living alone. They require minimal care but love attention. The 4-H cat project helps you explore what kind of cat fits into your family’s lifestyle. Cats need your love and guidance to live long and healthy lives. The project will help you learn about nutritional aspects of a cat’s diet, health needs and practicing responsible ownership.
Grow in Your Project
Starting Out
- Learn about the proper care, grooming and feeding of your cat
- Learn to identify the parts of a cat
- Create a plan to prevent your cat from getting lost and an emergency plan for if it does get lost
- Learn the appropriate grooming equipment and use proper grooming techniques on your cat
Learning More
- Plan a training and exercise program for your cat
- Prepare your cat for participation in cat shows
- Compare the labels on cat foods to make an informed decision on content and price
Going Further
- Create a trainer’s diary to assist you when you work with your cat
- Create a cat ownership budget plan
- Help a friend make a decision about owning a cat
- Research diseases in cats
- Identify symptoms and a course of action if your cat gets sick
- Research career options dealing with cats
Starting Out
- Learn about the proper care, grooming and feeding of your cat
- Learn to identify the parts of a cat
- Create a plan to prevent your cat from getting lost and an emergency plan for if it does get lost
- Learn the appropriate grooming equipment and use proper grooming techniques on your cat
Learning More
- Plan a training and exercise program for your cat
- Prepare your cat for participation in cat shows
- Compare the labels on cat foods to make an informed decision on content and price
Going Further
- Create a trainer’s diary to assist you when you work with your cat
- Create a cat ownership budget plan
- Help a friend make a decision about owning a cat
- Research diseases in cats
- Identify symptoms and a course of action if your cat gets sick
- Research career options dealing with cats
Take Your Project Further!
- Learn about cats service animals and the process of fostering and training one
- Job shadow at a local business (pet store, veterinary clinic, breeder or groomer) in a cat-related career that interests you
- Go to local and area cat shows, and explore the differences in cat breeds and the different ways they are shown
- Explore health safety issues with cats and the diseases cats have that might make humans ill
- Research all the kinds of parasites your cat might get, and find out how to protect yourself and your cat
- Explore what kind of restrictions and laws your community might have on cats
- Explore the uses and benefits of animal-assisted therapy
- Visit the zoo to compare and contrast wild and domestic cats
Resources
- Shawano County 4-H Cat Project
- *Additional resources available at the Shawano County Extension Office
