Cats, although lower maintenance than their canine counterparts, still require care on a daily basis. They need food, water, a clean litter box and, most importantly, attention from you. Although it is possible to leave cats on their own for a couple of days, with adequate food and water, of course, routine neglect of their social needs may result in behavioral problems such as play aggression, scratching destructively and even urine or fecal marking. These problems are much easier to prevent than to solve. It is important to know how to care for your cat and what your cat needs in different stages of life.