There is nothing quite as relaxing as the sound of a cat purring. This can relax both of you. That’s why it’s best to keep your cat happy by properly caring for him. These cat care tips can turn you into a great caretaker.
Good grooming is important for cats. Cats should have regular combings. If this is done frequently, your cat’s coat will be much cleaner. This will also cut down on shedding and can reduce issues with hairballs. Keeping a cat well groomed basically helps keep them looking their best, along with your home.
When looking for a new cat for your home, contact a local animal shelter. They have tons of amazing cats who desperately need a home. Adopting your cat at a shelter allows you to save a cat’s life while also helping mitigate overpopulation.
Small places are spots cats love to get into. Collars can be a safety risk if your kitty gets stuck. A breakaway style collar will literally “break away” if pulled too tight. That’ll keep kitty safe.
To safely help an old cat feel comfortable, place a heated tile under its bed. You should heat a terra cotta tile with your oven, at about 200 degrees, for around fifteen minutes. Put it inside a cloth and place underneath your feline’s blanket or bed. Change every few hours if you like.
Keep your cat active and entertained to avoid boredom. Play is important to the health and vitality of your cat. Too frequently this need is overlooked by owners. Bored cats tend to develop emotional and mental disorders that may negatively impact their health. Therefore, ensure your cat has enough space for exercising and playing. Indoor cats will be happier if you provide them with climbing resources and practical things such as scratching posts.
You should take your cat to the vet on a regular basis to maintain optimum health. Cats should go to a vet at least once each year for a check up, and more frequently for required shots. Cats need to see a vet right away if they have health issues, injuries or conditions that require immediate attention.
Make sure that your cat has a collar on with ID tags on it. Even a cat you plan on always staying indoors should have identification. A naturally curious cat will readily wander out an open door or window. It is a good idea to include your own phone number along with the name and contact number of your veterinarian. Include medical issues if appropriate.
Keep your cat amused. Play and exercise are both important for cats’ well-being. But, too many cat owners fail to realize this. Bored cats can suffer from depression, extreme compulsive disorders, and other harmful issues that can negatively impact their overall health and well-being. Give them toys and things to do. You need to provide your cats with something they can climb and scratch.
If you plan to add a second cat to your household, be sure to allow two to three weeks for your resident cat and the new cat to get used to each other. They will probably hide from each other, hiss or even attack each other. Give them a bit more time to begin to get used to each other face to face, too.
Pick a good spot for the cat’s litter box. It shouldn’t be put in an area with high traffic and should be far from their food. The area should also be well ventilated so that it doesn’t smell too badly. Your cat and you will prefer this in the end.
Your cat should be kept healthy so that it can live a longer life. This can be done by making sure the cat is checked on by a vet and it has its shots. Not unlike kids, kittens require vaccinations and check ups every so often so that they do not get sick. Your cat is a family member, so treat them like anyone else you love in your home.
When your cat accompanies you on a trip, remember to consider the health of their ears. Cats tend to prefer gentle sounds during the day. Try turning down your tunes or keeping it off to make your cat’s trip better.
Use a cat collar that gives name, address, and phone number info. Your indoor pet might even get out if you leave a window open. If that happens, you want to be sure that there is a way for them to make it back home.
Do you own both a dog and a cat? Dogs are known for eating other pet’s food. This is why it is necessary to have two separate feeding areas. This will ensure they don’t fight over food or water, too.
Don’t have an outdoor cat declawed. Without claws, the cat cannot defend against other animals, which can lead to real issues. Indoor cats are the only ones that may be declawed. If you must declaw a cat, only do it to the front paws. A cat’s back claws are not used when scratching furniture, so those can be left.
Don’t leave a kitten with small kids. Children under 5 years of age should not be alone with the pet. Younger children cannot fully understand how to properly handle a small pet. As your child matures, carefully consider whether a small pet is safe with them.
All cats have a strong sense of smell; therefore, they easily smell changes in your home. When you offer a new feeding bowl, cat condo, or bedding, your cat may resist. Be prepared for your cat to be wary of the new item initially. Your cat will begin using it as soon as he is used to its smell.
Cats enjoy climbing on things. To keep your cat healthy, provide your cat with a high place to sit. You can give your cat on a shelf to accomplish this. Put a blanket on it so they can rest peacefully.
If your cat is spitting up hairballs frequently, and extra grooming does not help, these handy tips may help. Mix in pumpkin (a teaspoon’s worth) into the cat’s food. A teaspoon or so of water from a can of tuna can also be mixed in with the pumpkin. Your hairball concerns can also be addressed with specially-formulated cat food. Many blends include extra fiber to prevent hairball formation.
You shouldn’t be training your cats for litter box use. This is a natural instinct that cannot be taught. Some thing that rubbing a cats paws in litter is smart, but it can actually cause them mental trauma.
Feed dry food to your cat. As kittens, cats require wet food because of their tiny teeth. Once they grow adult teeth, they benefit from chewing dry food. Your cat might enjoy eating more if you mix dry and wet food.
If your cat does not use the litter box, do not use punishments to try to discipline him. They’re doing it because the box is too dirty, or they may be sick. Punishing your cat will just make them afraid of you later on.
Place a sticky style tape on your furniture. This can deter your cat from scratching the upholstery. You can even get this kind of a tape from a pet store. The tape throws the cat off when it starts to scratch the furniture. In addition, buy a scratching post to satisfy the cat’s instinctual need to scratch.
Train your cat to tolerate a pet carrier. Cats are not as responsive to punishment as dogs are. Cats are better trained by using patient encouragement. Leave your cat carrier open and put a few special toys inside. Soon that cat will walk into the carrier on its own. Once the cat is in the carrier, they will be so much easier to transport.
Cats sometimes fall victim to similar illnesses to humans. Pay attention to changes in your cat’s mood and behavior as they may be a sign your cat is feeling poorly. Always take your cat to the vet if you suspect illness. Your vet will be able to notice the signs of an illness and give your cat preventive shots.
Happy cats purr often so hearing the sound indicates content animal. Cats are graceful, beautiful animals and it can be easy to care for them if you implement the tips here. Use this advice to make your cat happier.
Be aware of holes around your home that your cat can get into. It’s amazing how small a hole has to be before a cat can’t fit. Kittens can also be very creative in their explorations. When you bring a new cat or kitten to your home, be conscious of this hazard. You will need to repair or at least cover up any of the bigger holes you find.