Are You A Cat Owner? Try These Pet-Care Tips!

Cats are sophisticated animals. They are typically an adored household pet. That said, having a cat in your home is very different! Cats are fast, strong and intelligent. They also resist change, so you may need special techniques to handle them.

Take your cat in for regular vet exams. Cats need vaccinations to keep them healthy, and your vet can keep an eye out for any other health issues. Make sure you keep the same veterinarian for your pet throughout its life. This person will be more knowledgeable on your cat’s history.

Don’t let your cat near drape cords. If the cat becomes caught in a loop, they could choke to death. It may actually cause them some serious harm. Be sure your drape cords are strongly secured.

If your cat is female, you need to get it spayed at the proper age. It does not matter if you an indoor cat; if she gets out when in heat, you can end up with many kittens. The best method of stopping this is to have your cat spayed.

Check out the shelter when adopting a cat. Shelters have a lot of cats in them and you can get one adopted for a small fee. Besides, adopting a cat from an animal shelter means you are saving this cat’s life.

Avoid using dog products on cats. Cats don’t like dog products. Flea products are a great example of this. Your cat can die when exposed to flea prevention items made for dogs. You need to separate your pets when you treat them for fleas.

Cats like sneaking into small spaces. Cats that wear collars are at risk should they become stuck somewhere cramped. Purchase breakaway collars that will give if they are yanked tightly. This can save all “nine” of your cat’s lives.

Spritz a little bitter apple on electrical cords to protect your cats. If this does not work, make sure you cover the cords. You can bundle loose cords into paper towel rolls that are old. If you own electronic devices with thin cords, you should keep them out of your cat’s reach when you’re not using them.

A heated tile can be positioned beneath the bed of a mature cat. A terra cotta tile about a foot square is ideal. You can warm it with a 15-20 minute stop in your oven, set to approximately 200 degrees. Wrap the tile in a towel and then put it under the bed. If you want, change it now and then so the warmth continues.

Cats are partially nocturnal. Your cat will probably be very active during the night. If your cats keep you up at night, kick them out of the bedroom. You won’t be able to hear their sounds as they walk around in the middle of the night.

Make sure your cat has a collar if it goes outside. The collar and tag will make it easier to find the cat if it gets lost. At the very least, you should include your contact info and the name of your cat on the tag.

If you’re traveling with your cat, take care to remember their ears. While you may like some good tunes, your cat is going to appreciate other things. Therefore, try lowering your music or turning it off in order for your cat to enjoy the trip more.

It’s not easy convincing your pet that the kitchen counter is a no-cats zone. After all, cats prefer to stay high so that they can keep an eye out on everything. Provide your cat with a few high places it can uses. A carefully placed cat tower in the kitchen will keep cats away from the counter.

Make a tablecloth that your cat can use. Often cats prefer moving food from a bowl onto the floor to eat. This may make a big mess that you need to clean up. 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.

Pick a good spot for the cat’s litter box. Don’t put it close to your cat’s food or in an area that gets too much traffic. You’ll want to place the box in a spot with good ventilation to avoid unpleasant smells. Your cat will be more comfortable and you will too.

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. Some individuals believe they should carry their cat to the litter box and rub paws into the litter. This actually can be quite traumatic for a cat.

You may find it is helpful to talk to others about challenges you have with your cat. You can solve most problems by yourself, but you might benefit from the experience of others. You can find online cat forums to ask questions, or you can speak with your vet.

Make sure that you brush your cat’s coat often. It helps with blood flow, and it also moves the natural oils around in the fur. As an added bonus, it cuts down on loose fur. Doing so reduces the occurrence of hairballs, which are a choking risk. It also benefits the cat’s stomach by reducing the animal’s need to clean itself.

Brush your cat on a regular basis. This will reduce the amount of bacteria on the fur. It is also a good way to reduce shedding. This is a good way to avoid hairballs, which are a serious health problem since they can cause choking.

Plan on spending the money for good cat food that contains the nutrients that your cat needs. Check out the list of ingredients of any food you are considering buying. Ensure that an animal protein source, including fish, chicken, or beef, is the main ingredient. Some foods contain a lot of fillers like corn products, don’t buy those. Cats are carnivores and their diet should reflect that.

Be sure to carrier train your cat. Cats never respond to punishment the way that dogs do. Encouragement is usually a much better option. Put their favorite toy and blanket in a carrier. Leave it somewhere they always go to. After some time, your cat will respond better to the carrier. Once this is achieved, you can transport your cat inside the carrier much easier.

Getting a second cat is usually beneficial to both, but you have to give the two cats a few weeks to get acclimated to each other. They may still hiss and growl when they are in the same room together. Over time, though, they will learn to tolerate each other and eventually form a close bond.

Feed canned food to your cat. While dry food is less costly, the canned food has added benefits. Canned food gives your cat more protein and the water content helps with hydration. It’s easier for older cats to chew as well. Discuss this with your vet, who may tell you to feed your cat canned food.

The best way to make sure that you have a healthy cat is to keep up to date with vaccinations and trips to the vet. Similar to kids, cats need shots and check-ups to prevent health problems. Remember that the four-pawed members of your family need healthcare just as much as the ones that walk on two feet.

If you are thinking about adding another cat to your home, you need to set aside a couple of weeks where you let the animals get used to being around each other. They may seem like they’re fighting all the time. However, cats should eventually learn to co-habitate properly.

Place a collar on your cat that has your name, phone number and address. Even if you own an indoor cat, it’s possible he or she might escape. If this happens, ensure there’s a way they can find home again.

Make sure play time is an important part of your cat’s life. Really play is something that all mammals share, no matter the age. Older cats may not have much energy, but they still like to play. Make sure you play with your cat at least once a day.

Don’t ever give your cat medicine created for humans. The vet is the only one who should do the prescribing – not you. Pets that have taken human medications face serious injury or worse.

Outfit your cat with a tag and collar containing your address, phone number, and name. Even if they’re an indoor cat, they may get out. It that is the case, you should make certain they have the ability to get back home.

If your cat has frequent hairballs, and extra brushing hasn’t helped, here are some other tips that may help. Use pumpkin in your cat’s food to help with digestion. A teaspoon of tuna can water can be mixed with it for flavor’s sake. Anti-hairball foods are available commercially as well.

If hairballs are a problem that brushing won’t solve, there are some other things you can try. Mix about a teaspoon full of pumpkin into your cats’ food. A teaspoon of tuna can water can be mixed with it for flavor’s sake. Some cat foods also contain a component for anti-hairballs, generally extra fiber, which may resolve the problem.

Your cat should be fed food that’s dry on a regular basis. When cats are kittens they need wet food because their teeth are so small. Hard, dry food is best for grown-up cats because it helps keep their teeth healthy and strong. If you have a picky eater, you might want to try blending wet food with dry food.

Cat Eats

You have to take your cat into the vet for certain things, but the vet bills can really add up. You can save yourself some money by ordering your cats medications online. Some companies actually deliver medications straight to your home. This is ideal for monthly heart worm pills and flea treatments that your cat needs.

Overfeeding your cat can dramatically affect its future health. If your cat eats too much, it may end up being overweight and have health issues. Pay attention to the portions your cat eats and choose your cat food very carefully.

Avoid leaving your cat outside when the weather looks bad. This is particularly true during extreme periods of cold, wind and rain. When it is bad outside, cats search for a hiding place, which may be under a car’s hood. It is possible the cat could be lost or killed during severe weather, so be sure to take good care of them.

Look around your home for holes that can make a cat become stuck. Cats are extremely agile; therefore, they can easily fit into small holes that you thought were impossible for them to fit into. This is especially true of kittens. Remember this if you bring a new cat or kitten home. Cover up or repair any sizable holes you find.

Many indoor cats cannot resist the allure of a houseplant. This can create issues if you have a poisonous houseplant. The cats may also make waste in the plant pots. Even putting a plant up high won’t help. Or, you can hang plants from the ceiling to keep it away from your cat.

Outsmarting a cat may take some work, but with the tips you learned here it can become second nature. Soon, you will have your cat understanding where his limitations are. Cats can become well-trained if you put in the effort necessary.

Do not swat a kitten. Not only is this a form of abuse, this will also make your car fear you. That is why many obedience training usually involves a spray bottle.