Cats outnumber dogs in plenty of Trenton households, from row homes in Chambersburg to one bedroom apartments along the Delaware in Mill Hill. Yet most local cat owners get the same advice: keep them indoors, feed them well, see the vet yearly. This hub goes further. Whether you live in Trenton itself or nearby Hamilton, Ewing, or Lawrenceville, the five guides collected here answer the questions feline veterinarians across Mercer County hear every week. Start with any topic below, or read the deep dives in order. If you share your Capital City apartment with both species, our Dog Care guides pair well with this one, and our full blog archive covers everything else.

The five guides in this hub

Keeping cats safe indoors or out

The outdoor world is hard on cats in central New Jersey. Warren Street traffic, Route 1 crossings, and the stretch of I-295 that slices through the region put free roaming cats at constant risk, and animal control officers in Trenton and Hamilton pick up injured strays every week. Disease is the quieter danger: feline leukemia and FIV spread through fights and shared food bowls, and unvaccinated roamers catch both. Indoor cats consistently live 12 to 18 years, while cats allowed to roam freely often survive far fewer. That is why nearly every Mercer County veterinarian recommends an indoors first lifestyle, especially for cats in denser neighborhoods like Downtown and Wilbur.

Indoors does not have to mean bored. Window perches facing bird feeders, two daily ten minute play sessions with a wand toy, and puzzle feeders satisfy hunting instincts remarkably well. Some owners build a screened catio on a porch or fire escape landing, which runs from roughly $200 in DIY lumber and mesh to $1,500 or more for a custom enclosure. Harness trained walks work too if you start young and stay patient. And if your cat ever slips out, a microchip is what brings her home; our microchipping guide explains the process and typical registration steps.

Read the full guide: Indoor vs Outdoor Cats: Safety, Health and Happiness.

Feeding by life stage

A kitten, an adult, and a senior cat have three different diets, and most feeding mistakes we see locally come from using one approach forever. Kittens under six months need three to four small meals daily of kitten labeled food, which packs more protein and DHA for growth. Healthy adults do best on two measured meals per day: an average 10 pound indoor cat needs only about 200 calories daily, which is roughly half a cup of many dry foods. Free pouring a giant bowl is the fastest route to an overweight cat, and extra weight drives diabetes and joint disease later in life.

Seniors often do better with slightly higher protein and more moisture, so mixing wet food into the routine supports aging kidneys and hydration. Whatever you feed, transition gradually over seven days to avoid stomach upset, keep treats under 10 percent of daily calories, and refresh water bowls daily. Curious about raw diets or homemade recipes? We weighed the evidence in our raw food diet breakdown, and our general pet nutrition guide covers label reading for both species.

Read the full guide: Cat Feeding Schedule by Age: Kitten to Senior.

Cat sitter or cattery when you travel

Cats are homebodies, which is why most Trenton owners start with an in home sitter. Around Trenton and neighboring Ewing and Lawrenceville, expect professional drop in visits to run $20 to $35 per visit for about 30 minutes, covering food, fresh water, litter scooping, and playtime. Many sitters add $5 to $10 for medication administration, and holiday weeks like Thanksgiving carry premium rates. Two visits a day for a long weekend typically lands between $120 and $210. Ask for proof of insurance, a written service agreement, and references from other Mercer County clients before you hand over a key.

Catteries and vet run boarding are the alternative, usually $25 to $50 per night in the Trenton area, with luxury suites climbing higher. Boarding makes sense when a cat needs medication rounds monitored closely or when no trustworthy sitter is available, but book early: facilities near Princeton and Hamilton fill weeks ahead of July 4th and the winter holidays. Either way, boarders will ask for current rabies and FVRCP vaccination records, so snap photos of those documents now. For a full cost comparison and vetting checklist, see the dedicated guide below.

Read the full guide: Cat Sitter vs Cattery Around Trenton, NJ: Which Is Better?

Health care for cats ages 7 and up

Cats age quietly. By the time a Trenton cat starts hiding more, drinking heavily, or missing the litter box, diseases like chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes may already be advanced. That is why vets across Mercer County recommend moving cats 7 years and older to twice yearly exams supported by senior bloodwork panels, which generally cost $150 to $350 depending on how many values the lab runs. Catching kidney disease at stage two rather than stage four can add years of good quality life, and hyperthyroidism is very manageable once diagnosed.

Dental disease is the other silent problem: most cats over age 7 have some gingivitis or resorptive lesions, and a professional dental cleaning under anesthesia runs $300 to $700 at area clinics. Watch for weight loss despite a good appetite, hesitation jumping to favorite perches, and matted fur from reduced grooming, then mention all three at your next visit. Small home tweaks help enormously: low entry litter boxes, pet stairs to the couch, and warm sleeping spots. More preventive care reading lives in our Pet Health Hub.

Read the full guide: Senior Cat Health Checklist: Ages 7 and Up

Cat proofing and setting up your home

A well set up home prevents most cat emergencies we hear about locally. Walk each room and think in threes: things she will chew, climb, or knock over. Secure window screens, which matters double in Capital City apartments where second story open windows are the norm; move lilies out of the house entirely because even a speck of pollen causes fatal kidney failure; and coil or cover dangling cords that invite chewing. In the kitchen, keep string, twine, and poultry bones off counters, and always check the dryer before you close it. One litter box per cat plus one spare, placed in quiet spots away from the food bowl, prevents a majority of elimination complaints.

Then give her places to be a cat. A tall scratching post beside the sofa saves the sofa; our scratching guide matches post styles to how your cat actually scratches. Vertical shelves or a tall cat tree turn a small Trenton apartment into rich territory, and closed storage keeps toys, medications, and cleaning sprays out of reach. If boxes become a battleground, our litter box troubleshooting guide walks through placement, substrate preferences, and the medical red flags behind sudden avoidance.

Read the full guide: Cat Proofing Your Home Room by Room

Frequently asked questions

How much does a cat sitter cost in Trenton NJ?

Most professional cat sitters in Trenton, Hamilton, Ewing, and Lawrenceville charge $20 to $35 per visit, with visits lasting about 30 minutes. Medication doses, extra pets, and major holidays usually add fees. Budget roughly $80 to $140 per day if your cat needs two visits, which is the standard recommendation for kittens and cats on medication.

Is it law to keep cats indoors in New Jersey?

No. New Jersey has no statewide law requiring cats to be kept indoors. Rules are set municipality by municipality, so ordinances about roaming animals, rabies vaccination, and licensing differ between Trenton, Hamilton, Ewing, and Lawrenceville. Check your town's current code, and remember that keeping vaccination records current is required almost everywhere.

What shots do kittens need in NJ?

Kittens need the core FVRCP series starting at 6 to 8 weeks, boosted every 3 to 4 weeks until around 16 weeks. Rabies vaccination is required by municipal code in most New Jersey towns and is typically given at 12 to 16 weeks. Your vet will also discuss FeLV testing and prevention during early visits, and our new kitten care guide maps out the whole first month.