If you want a great pet, a cat fits that bill. If you’ve never had a cat, reading this article would be wise. Below are some excellent suggestions that will help any cat owner coexist with their furry pal.
You need to take your pet to the vet on a regular basis. They should get their vaccinations and have a full check up. Try using one veterinarian consistently. This ensures that your vet will have an excellent understanding of your pet’s medical history.
Ensure your cat remains groomed. You have to make sure your cat gets brushed or combed often. If you brush cats on a regular basis, it will keep their coats clean and attractive. It helps your cats shed much less too, which keeps them from spitting those hairballs up. Cat grooming will not only keep kitty looking great, but it will also help to reduce the effort spent picking up cat hair around the home.
Spay your female cat. You may not think it’s necessary if you have an indoor cat, but your cat may escape. Spaying a cat can prevent this.
If you own a female cat, it’s crucial to spay it at the appropriate age. Even if she is an inside cat, you need to spay her because she could get out. Spaying a cat can prevent this.
Be sure your cat gets regular checkups at the vet. They should have regular check ups annually, and more appointments should be made if they need to get important shots. Cats need to see a vet right away if they have health issues, injuries or conditions that require immediate attention.
Put your cats’ litter box where it is most acceptable to him. It shouldn’t be put in an area with high traffic and should be far from their food. To prevent a strong stench, be sure this space is well-ventilated. Your cat will be more comfortable and you will too.
You should not use products designed for other animals. Cats usually react negatively to items made especially for dogs. Flea products for dogs are one of the worst products to give a cat. Using dog flea products on your cat can kill them. Make sure to separate your cat from your dog after spraying.
Cats are known for spending inordinate amounts of time grooming themselves. Hairballs are more common in long-haired cats. If your cat needs assistance with this problem, consider a special diet. Some cat food out there has a special formula in it that reduces hairballs. This benefits your pet and you.
Being nocturnal is quite normal for cats. In other words, they’ll be up and about late into the night. If your kittens are keeping you awake into the middle of the night, close the door to your bedroom. This will stop them from bothering you at night, and playing with your feet beneath the covers.
A tablecloth for the feeding area can be quite useful. Some cats prefer to remove their food from the dish and eat it off to the side. If this happens, you’ll have to clear away any excess food that’s left outside. There are two ways to do this. You can either put a placemat under the food bowl or use some stray fabric that you have lying around. Either way, you can easily get rid of debris by dumping them in the garbage.
The correct location is important when picking a spot for a cat’s litter box. A cat’s litter box should be in a quiet spot in the house, away from where your cat eats. Allow for adequate ventilation to dispel any odors. Both you and your pet will appreciate that.
Don’t let your cat go outside. Letting your cat outside greatly increases his risk level. You cat can get fleas and contract diseases. Your cat may be targeted by another animal, or get injured by a vehicle or another person. Cage in an area for a cat in your backyard if they must go outside.
Your cat most likely spends quite a bit of time grooming. When your cat has long hair, this can cause hairballs. There is a special food on the market that does help out with hairball issues. Some foods are in fact formulated specifically to reduce hairballs, and that is a good idea for your cat and you too.
Is your home also the home of both a dog and cat? Dogs are known for eating other pet’s food. This is why it is necessary to have two separate feeding areas. This also has the effect of stopping fights over the water before they start.
Be sure you think about your cat’s ears when traveling. While you may like some good tunes, your cat is going to appreciate other things. This means that you should keep your music turned down or off so the cat can relax.
If your cat does not use the litter box, do not use punishments to try to discipline him. Many times this occurs because the box wasn’t well maintained. If the cat is punished for this, they may become afraid of being around you.
Cats are great family pets, but small children might be too rough. Spend time instructing your children on cat care. Give them examples of how to be gentle with it and what should and should not be done. The bones of a cat are weaker than a dogs, therefore, they should be handled with care.
High quality cat food is important to your cat. Ensure that the food your cat eats is very high in protein. The foods to avoid are those with a large amount of corn and low amounts of protein. Cats need meat, not vegetables.
If your thinking about allowing your cat to go outside, you may want to reconsider. Letting your cat outside greatly increases his risk level. It takes mere minutes for your cats to pick up fleas, be bitten by a tick or something far worse. There’s the chance that your pet could be harmed by other animals or passing vehicles. Let your cat go out in your backyard and play on your lawn.
Your cat should always wear a collar and ID tag. This is essential, even for indoor pets. Even the tamest indoors cat can be tempted by the possibilities presented by an open door or window. The tag should have your phone number on it. If your kitty has medical conditions, this information can be a life saver.
Cats feel safest in an elevated location. A happy cat is one that has a safe living environment. You can use a cleared shelf if you’d rather not have a cat tree. To complete the package, add a cat bed or blanket.
If you just own one cat but are considering obtaining another one, then you should ensure you allow a few weeks for your old cat and new one to become familiar with each other. They might hide from each other or hit each other. After the initial period though, they should start to settle and begin to get along like old friends.
Avoid spending too much time trying to train your cat to utilize its litter box. They will do it on their own and don’t need to be taught. Don’t force your cat into the box or you will traumatize them.
Frequent or misdirected urination may warrant a trip to your vet’s office. This sort of behavior can be caused by urinary tract infections or other, more serious medical issues in your cat. In many cases, cheap antibiotics will resolve the problem and keep your cat healthy.
Never punish a cat for a mess outside of its box. Many times, this is caused by failure to properly clean or place the litter box. If you get mad, they’ll never use the box again.
Do not use cleaning supplies with phenol in them if you have a cat. This type of chemical can be found in Pine-Sol, Lysol, and other types of cleaners. The smell is offensive to cats, and prolonged exposure can lead to liver problems.
Go pick yourself up one of those water fountains for cats. A cat will always drink from running water if possible. Normally, cats much prefer water that comes out in a stream. Many cats prefer running water over their water dish. A fountain will allow your cat to drink like he or she is in the wild.
A cat that is declawed should never spend time being outside. The cat is defenseless against other animals, which may lead to injury or possibly death. Indoor cats are the only ones that you should declaw. Even so, only remove the front claws when you do so. Don’t have the back claws removed, since cats don’t use them to scratch up your house.
Use canned food for your cat. Dry food is less expensive, but canned food provides more benefits. There is more water, more fat and more protein in it. 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.
Choosing a cat is an excellent decision. They offer lots of comfort and can be stress relievers. There are, however, certain things you need to do to make sure your cat lives a healthy life. Use these tips to achieve a great relationship.
Make sure you put your catbox in the optimal location. It might be tempting to have it in a hidden area where you can’t see it or smell it. It is equally important that the litter box is readily accessible to your cat, though. Your cat will use the litter box if it is placed in a quiet place and away from smells your cat does not enjoy. If your litter box location is on a cold floor, you may want to put a rug underneath of the box.