Helping You Better Understand Cats With These Simple To Follow Tips

The famous poet T.S. Eliot wrote on cats. Eliot said that a household will depend upon a cat. A healthy, well behaved cat can be a boon to any household. Cats are quirky though. This advice will make it easier to live a happy life with your cat.

Properly groom your cat. Remember to brush your cat’s fur and comb it regularly. If you do this often, their coat will stay clean. Removing excess hair also reduces shedding and can prevent hairballs. A cat that is well-groomed is one that looks the best at home.

Be sure you think about your cat’s ears when traveling. You may be tempted to blast your favorite songs at top volume. Cats, on the other hand, would probably prefer that you didn’t. Keep the music turned down or off when taking your cat on a trip.

Being nocturnal is quite normal for cats. Do not be surprised if your cat is very active at night. If your cat is keeping you up at night, you should close the door to your bedroom. This can keep them from waking you up at night and from pouncing on feet under the blankets.

Create a little tablecloth for your cat. Sometimes cats prefer to remove food from their bowls and eat it from the floor. Sometimes, this results in food outside the bowl that you have to clean up. You can get a pet mat or use a piece of old fabric to put under it for easy cleanup.

Be attentive to your cat and give them your love and company, often. They give lots of affection and need some in return. Cats have a need to communicate with others to show they are part of the family. They want nothing more than to be an integral part of your family.

Try and figure out why kitty is meowing. After some time, you’ll understand why your cat purs or meows based on what she wants. Your cat could be hungry or thirsty, or it may want to leave the house. When you pay attention to the cat’s actions and cues, then may grow to understand the cat all the more.

Your cat can take lots of time to groom themselves to what they consider “perfect.” When the cat’s hair is longer, this could lead to hairballs. Special food can help. Some foods are in fact formulated specifically to reduce hairballs, and that is a good idea for your cat and you too.

Cats enjoy being high up. Providing a safe environment for your cat is key to its happiness. If a cat tree is not your style, clear off a sturdy shelf that he can jump up on. Providing a blanket or bed for your cat is an extra treat for them.

Do you happen to own both a dog and a cat? Dogs will eat cat food right up. This makes it a good idea to have a cat feeding place high up enough that your dog can’t get to it. This also ensures that there are no squabbles over the water between the two, when the food is gone.

Cat Owners

Cats love high spots. For a truly happy cat, provide a safe place for your cat to survey his surroundings. Placing a shelf or two up high will not take up too much space in your home. Additionally, you can place a bed or blanket in this space.

If you’re having an issue with your cat, try to get some input from other cat owners. Other cat owners may have had experience with what you’re going through right now. The Internet will allow you to contact many forums and online communities for cat owners. Don’t forget, your vet’s office can also provide sound advice.

It’s important to let your cat see where you place the litter box, but it’s not always a good idea to force your cat to learn how to use it. This is natural to them and does not need to be taught. Many people think rubbing a cat’s paws in litter will teach them to use the litter box, but it might actually traumatize them.

Do not punish your cat if they make a mess in the area outside of the litter box. Your cat probably did not use the litter box because it is not well taken care of. If you punish your cat for this, it will fear you later in the future.

Make sure your cat gets plenty of opportunities to play. No matter what age, play is common among cats and other animals. Although older cats won’t be as active as younger cats, they still need a little exercise. Enjoy your cat every day.

Rotate the variety of food you feed your cat. If they start eating just one type of food without variation, they are sure to grow finicky.

If you have a cat who is pregnant, make sure that you give her a private spot that is closed away from other animals and has room for her to move in easily. You need to be patient, as it will be three or four hours before all the kittens have been born. Bring your cat to her vet immediately if six hours have passed without all the kittens coming out.

Give your cat canned food. Yes, dry food is cheaper, but canned food really has a lot more benefits. Canned foods are also richer in fat, proteins and will help hydrate your cat. Canned food is much easier to chew for older cats. Canned food is usually a great option for your cat, but talk with your vet.

Don’t ever declaw cats that go outdoors. Cats without claws cannot stand up for themselves if they encounter another animal. The result could be injuries or death. An indoor cat can be declawed. Only take out the front claws. Keep the back claws intact, since they can’t do damage to your furnishings and flooring.

Ensure your cat is collared and wears an identification tag. This is essential, even for indoor pets. A naturally curious cat will readily wander out an open door or window. Tags with your veterinarian’s info and your contact number should be worn. This is very important if your pet is likely to get lost or has some medical needs.

You should never let your cat use meds that were designed for people. If your cat needs medication, then you should take your cat to the vet. Drugs and medicines designed for human consumption can cause serious health problems for cats, and in extreme cases, can even be fatal.

If your cat suddenly stops using the litter box, you should take him to the vet. This is likely to be something that should be looked after. A course of antibiotics often does the trick.

Cats have a heightened sense of smell, and they can detect environmental changes easily. When you give them a new toy, bed, food or scratching post, this can be an issue. Don’t fret if you can’t get kitty to use a new item right away. When your cat becomes more comfortable, he or she will adjust.

Does it feel like your home is overrun with your cat’s hair? You need to brush your cat regularly, especially if she sheds a lot. If your cat is a big shedder, you definitely want to brush him often. Brushing will also keep their coat in good shape.

Watch out for panting. Understand that dogs panting is normal; however, this is not the case for cats. If a cat is panting, it might indicate simple anxiety or overheating. On the other hand, it may a symptom of a more serious health problem. Do not hesitate to contact a vet, particularly if there has been a history of respiratory problems.

If you have a female cat that is in the process of giving birth, make sure you provide her a spacious area. Labor can last as long as four hours, so stay patient. If your cat has still not given birth to all her kittens after six hours, get her to a vet right away.

Before you let your cat be an outdoor cat, consider the dangers of fleas, fungus and rabies. While your cat may still have problems with these things as an indoor cat, they will have less of a chance to have these problems if they don’t go outside.

Your food isn’t necessarily good for your cat. In part, these include garlic, onions and grapes. If your cat eats these things, they could become very sick. Your cat should also steer clear of dairy products.

Cats often require a visit to your veterinarian, but that can get very expensive. You can save yourself some money by ordering your cats medications online. A variety of companies deliver to your door. This is a great way to handle purchasing medications your cat takes on a monthly basis.

You should try keeping your cat inside or allowing it to go in the backyard. Indoor cats live longer and stay healthier. Daily exercise with you doesn’t need to create risks for other cat attacks or diseases from the wild.

At first, your cat may not like another animal in the home. In the beginning, make sure the two animals stay away from one another. The new smell is something your cat will need to adjust to. Gradually introduce the new member of your family to your cat.

Beware of panting. For dogs, panting is typical behavior. Panting can indicate anxiety or overheating, but it can also mean something quite serious. You should be speaking with a vet in case there is a respiratory issue.

While the holidays can be great for giving a kid their cat as a gift, it could be too stressful for the cat because of all the chaos going on. You should bring your child to a local shelter or store and allow them to choose which cat they like.

If your cat is spitting up hairballs frequently, and extra grooming does not help, these handy tips may help. Give your cat’s regular food an addition of pumpkin (about a teaspoon’s worth). You can mix the pumpkin with a bit of water from a can of tuna. There are also cat foods that contain an anti-hairball component, usually extra fiber, that may solve the problem.

Get your cat “fixed.” Cats are curious creatures. Cats like the outdoors, even indoor cats. Your cat might get pregnant if it manages to go outside. Each year, thousands upon thousands of kitties are put to sleep because of overpopulation issues.

If you worry about your cat getting rabies, fleas or getting exposure to fungus, don’t allow them to go outside. Although an indoor cat can be affected by a few of these things, they will be more prone to experiencing these issues if they are outside a lot.

Watch your cat around the Christmas tree during the holiday seasons. A curious cat might climb up the tree, try to swat it over, or chew on the needles. To be safe, keep cats away from the holiday tree and make sure there are no ornaments or decor that can result in digestive problems for them.

Nothing about being a pet owner is simple. Whether a cat jumps all over the house or sleeps all day, these tips can better your bond with them. Those meows will be replaced with purrs in short order.

A cat should never be made to be a vegetarian. All cats need a diet with meat. They need taurine, and that comes from meat. Always feed your cat a significant amount of meat to maintain his health.