Being A Great Care Giver: Cat Tips

Owning a cat can bring you tremendous joy. You must put a lot of work into owning a cat. There are many responsibilities that every cat owner needs to be aware of. Luckily, the article below will illustrate exactly what those responsibilities are. Read on and learn.

If you’d like to make an elderly cat’s bed more comfy, stick a heated tile beneath its bed. Heat a fabric covered heating pad in the microwave for a couple of minutes, making sure that is not too hot to the touch. Use an old towel to wrap it up safely before placing it beneath your cat’s favorite napping spot. Change it regularly if you need to.

If you’re thinking of getting a cat for a pet, you should look to the local shelter. There are so many great cats at shelters. The fee you will have to pay typically includes vet care. You really are saving a life and keeping the feline population in check all in one!

Be sure you have a vet that your cat sees regularly so it stays healthy. Your cat should have a health check yearly, but should go in more if your cat needs shots. Don’t hesitate to take your cat to the vet immediately if you notice anything unusual about their health or if they are injured.

Grooming is an essential part of your cat’s care. Cats should have regular combings. This will keep your cat’s coat clean. It also helps to reduce their shedding and can cut down on how many times they are spitting up hairballs. A well groomed cat will be much more pleasant for everyone and will also help you keep your home clean.

Deter cats from shocking themselves on electrical wires by spraying them with bitter apple. If your cat still prefers to chew on cords, then you have to make sure they stay covered. Use paper towel or wrapping paper rolls to bundle up cords. Any electrical cords that are really thin (and very tempting) should really be hidden whenever possible.

Older cats will appreciate a heated bed; you can use a heated tile to create one! 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. Put it inside a cloth and place underneath your feline’s blanket or bed. If you want, you can change it for a newly warmed tile a few hours later.

A lot of cat owners have a hard time keeping their cats off the counter. Cats enjoy going into high places so that they can see what’s going on around the house. One good way to beat this problem is by giving your kitty some safe, high perches throughout the house. Keep your cats off the kitchen counter by placing their towers near the kitchen or even in it.

Don’t use dog portions for your cat. Cats have very strong, negative reactions to products formulated for dogs. This is especially true of flea products. Some products designed for dogs could be harmful to your cat. Actually, it is best to separate the cat from the dog once the flea problem has been treated.

The correct location is important when picking a spot for a cat’s litter box. Never put the box near your cat’s food, and pick a quiet place away from areas that are heavily used. To help control odors place the litter box in a well ventilated area. Your cat will be more comfortable and you will too.

Your cat needs love and attention. They are very loving animals and deserve affection back. Like humans, a cat has to be around people in order to feel special. This will increase the love that surrounds the family.

Find cat medicine online if you want to get discounts. There are some times when this isn’t a good idea, like when you’re dealing with a pet related emergency. Most of the time, you will get great discounts if you purchase on the web.

While usually cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Teach your children how to handle a cat. Demonstrate how the cat should be petted and handled and encourage your children to be very gentle. Feline bones are weaker than those of many other pets, so they must be handled with care.

Cats are great pets, but little ones may not understand that they are fragile. Show your kids the proper way to handle cats. Teach them which activities are good and how to properly pick your cat up. Feline bones are weaker than those of many other pets, so they must be handled with care.

Just because your family did it when you were a child, does not mean allowing your cat to go outside is a wise decision. This could be harmful and unsafe. Cats can attract fleas and other parasites. Additionally, your cat is likely to be injured by cars or other animals. If your cat really wants to go outside, let it out into a small area in your yard.

Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. You can then teach your kids which areas your cat can go into. If you want your cat to stay indoors, then the children must understand the seriousness of never letting it out. By making the rules well known to your children, your children will understand what is and is not allowed.

Take care if you leave a kitten with youngsters. Children under 5 years of age should not be alone with the pet. Their immaturity prevents them from understanding how easily they could hurt the kitten. As your child matures, carefully consider whether a small pet is safe with them.

Unlike most humans, cats love heights. Your cat will appreciate being on top of a cupboard, fridge or anywhere they can surrey their environment. If you don’t wish to have a big cat tree inside your house, try a sturdy shelf made of breakables. You can also add a small bed or blanket at the top.

Cats love heights. Make sure your cat has a safe place to play. Placing a shelf or two up high will not take up too much space in your home. The cat will especially enjoy it if you put a blanket on top.

Speak to other people if you’re having cat troubles. You may wish to deal with it alone, but you may need advice from other cat owners. There are a number of message boards for cat owners on the Internet, or you can go to your vet with problems.

Don’t try and teach your kitty how the litter box is supposed to be used. This is a natural instinct for felines, and it need not be taught. Don’t force your cat into the box or you will traumatize them.

Never punish a cat for a mess outside of its box. Improper box care on your part causes the mess, not the cat. Punishment can make your cat fearful in your presence.

Your cat should be acclimated to a carrier as a kitten. Cats are not as responsive to punishment as dogs are. Cats usually respond well to encouragement. Put their favorite toy and blanket in a carrier. Leave it somewhere they always go to. Soon that cat will walk into the carrier on its own. It’s a much easier way to get the cat in.

Feed your cat a few different varieties of food. This can help him not get too finicky. When you give the same thing day after day, it becomes boring.

Feeding your cat the proper canned food is ideal. Dry food is less expensive, but there are added benefits to be had in canned cat food. Canned food provides more water content for your cat as well as more fat and protein. Canned food is much easier to chew for older cats. You should listen to what your vet recommends, though.

Purchase a drinking fountain for your cat to get water from. Wild cats like to drink flowing water, and domestic cats are the same. Normally, cats much prefer water that comes out in a stream. Cats often like the running water more than their own bowl of water. A drinking fountain will be good for the environment and can help the cat to enjoy its water more.

Your cat needs to always wear some tags on a collar. This is necessary even for an indoors pet. A naturally curious cat will readily wander out an open door or window. You should use a tag with your contact information and the address of your veterinarian. This is particularly important if you have a cat with medical needs.

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 may still hiss and growl when they are in the same room together. Eventually, they become used to each other and are comfortable together.

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. Expect to see your cats avoid each other, hiss, or even confront one another. After a bit of time, you’ll have two cats that will tolerate, and possibly enjoy, each other.

If you are considering a long-haired cat breed then you should also consider the extra maintenance required. That lovely, silky coat won’t look nearly as good all over your floors as it does on the cat. Don’t get a long haired cat unless you’re prepared to do a little extra cleaning. Long-haired cats also often have hairballs.

Make sure play time is an important part of your cat’s life. Playing is a very common activity shared by most animals. Kitties who are senior citizens may not be super energetic, but they still enjoy playing. Make sure you and your cat are thoroughly enjoying each other.

Be aware whenever your cat suddenly quits using its litter box. Many feline health conditions can cause a cat to urinate and defecate in random places outside of their litter box. A variety of infections and kidney disease can cause your cat to stay away from the box when they suddenly associate it with pain due to their medical condition. If your cat stops going in the litter box, a call to the vet is in order.

If you have a cat who won’t use the litter box, try moving it someplace else. Cats know that they’re vulnerable when using the bathroom and need a place that is quiet and safe. For example, your basement, laundry room or other room away from household activity should suffice.

There are many dangers, such as fleas, rabies or fungus, that you should consider before you let your cat outside. 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.

As you can now see, cats can bring you much joy. But, you need to properly care for your cat if you would like for it to live its best life. Be sure to use this information if you want to make a cat part of your home.

Vet bills for your cat can be pretty costly over time. You can save a great deal of money by filling your cat’s prescriptions online. Some companies will express ship to your door. This is particularly effective for heart-worm pills and flea treatments, which your cat will need on a monthly basis.