There are so many reasons to enjoy having a cat. Cats can, however, take a lot of commitment and time. With cat ownership, comes many responsibilities. This article is packed with tips and ideas that make it easier for you to fulfill your responsibilities to your pet. Read on and learn.
Never use a product on your cat that is intended for dogs. They can have very strong and possibly negative reactions to dog products. Flea products are a great example of this. Flea products meant for dogs can seriously harm or kill a cat. If your dog has been treated for fleas, keep him away from your cat for at least three hours.
Spay your cat as soon as she is old enough. You may not think it’s necessary if you have an indoor cat, but your cat may escape. Spaying your cat is the best way to prevent this from happening.
The claws of a cat can really destroy parts of your house and furniture. If you are having problems with your cat clawing up furniture, then purchase a scratching post or kitty tower. This can encourage cats to scratch something other than things that are off-limits. Although this may take time, your cat should eventually claw the device rather than your furniture.
It can be tricky to keep a cat off the kitchen counters. They love being above everything so that they can watch it all. You can get your cat to quit doing this if you make areas that it can climb up to. Placing a cat tower near the kitchen will help the cats to not lay on the counter.
Male felines tend to get crystals in the urine that can be prevented with proper diet. The cat is in pain passing the crystals, and the correction for this is costly. Choose a cat food with low magnesium content. This means you should pay attention to labels on food. Poultry products are typically lower in magnesium than fish products.
Put your cats’ litter box where it is most acceptable to him. Don’t put it where the cat can’t reach it or near their food. To prevent a strong stench, be sure this space is well-ventilated. Your kitty will thank you.
Create a tablecloth that your cats can use. Cats often like to remove food from their bowl to eat it off to the side. This means food spillage that you will have to clean later. A simpler way to do this is by getting a place-mat and placing it under their bowl. You can also cut some fabric to make a tablecloth that can be lifted, washed, or shaken over a trash can.
Make sure that you never neglect your cat. They give lots of affection and need some in return. Cats, just like people, want to feel like a loved part of a family. Socialization is important to them. They’ll know they are accepted as members of the family if they get plenty of loving attention.
Do you own both a dog and a cat? Dogs will eat cat food right up. If you’re having a problem with this, make your cat’s eating area high enough that your dog cannot reach. That also means they don’t fight about water after eating the food.
A cat generally spends quite a bit of time grooming itself. However, if it has a lot of hair, hairballs can occur. 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 love being up high. Allow them the space they need to feel safe while checking their world out. If you can’t afford a cat tree, give the cat an empty shelf of his own. Additionally, you can place a bed or blanket in this space.
Avoid bladder crystals and stones by feeding high quality food. These crystals can cause a lot of pain to your cat and could end up costing you a lot in medical expenses. Choose a cat food with low magnesium content. Always read labels. Fish products tend to be higher in magnesium than poultry products.
Speak to your peers about your cat issues. You may think it’s something you can take care of on your own, but other people that own cats could help. Participate in online discussion boards for cat owners, or pick up the telephone and speak with your vet.
If your thinking about allowing your cat to go outside, you may want to reconsider. It is dangerous in today’s society. They can get fleas, feline AIDS or even leukemia. Other animals and vehicles could also injure your cat. Let your cat go out in your backyard and play on your lawn.
You shouldn’t be training your cats for litter box use. This is a natural instinct that cannot be taught. While some folks think you should pick up your cat and place their paws against the litter, this can actually be traumatic.
High areas are ideal for cats. Designating a high-up area where your cat can hang out and watch everything from will help him to feel comfortable. If you do not want cats making a mess in your house, remove breakable items from your shelves. To complete the package, add a cat bed or blanket.
Take the time to make your cat familiar and comfortable with a carrier. You have to take a different approach to training a cat rather than a dog. Instead, cats are more likely to respond to words of encouragement. Put a favorite blanket and toy in the carrier and leave it open somewhere the cat frequents. The cat will eventually get into it and feel comfy. This will make it easier to mobilize your cat.
Feed your cat several different kinds of food if you want to the lower the chances of them becoming finicky. If you raise your kitten with the same food for their entire life, this can become the only type of food they will willingly eat.
Don’t get rid of an old scratching post. Cats prefer used scratching posts. Your cat might not want to use the new scratching post and start ruining your furniture instead.
Scratching Post
You should install a small drinking fountain for your cat. Cats like their water to move. Cats usually like to drink from a water stream. In fact, many cats like drinking from faucets more than from their water bowls. A drinking fountain will be good for the environment and can help the cat to enjoy its water more.
Although your cat’s old scratching post may look very worn out, you shouldn’t throw it away. Cats love them! By throwing away an old scratching post and replacing it with a newer one, your cat will likely look for older items to scratch, such as your furniture.
Do you see cat hair everywhere you look? Since cats shed so much, they need to be frequently brushed. If your cat is shedding too often, you should brush it more regularly. Brushing can help prevent their fur from matting or tangling.
Moist, canned food can be a very good option for your cat. While dry food is less expensive, canned food is healthier. Canned foods are also richer in fat, proteins and will help hydrate your cat. As your cat ages, canned food is more easily chewed. Ask your vet for more info, bun in general, canned food is much better for a number of reasons.
Carefully consider where you will locate your cats’ litter box. It might be tempting to have it in a hidden area where you can’t see it or smell it. However, your cat’s litter box needs to stay in an easily accessible place so that he can find it. Cats are finicky, so you must provide an environment that is not inconvenient or off-putting to the animal. If you have the box on a floor that is cold cement for example, put a rug or mat under it.
If you notice that your cat urinates very frequently, you should take it to the vet. It could be an indication of a serious health problem. A course of antibiotics often does the trick.
Keep your cat healthy, and ensure him a longer life, by keeping him up-to-date on his vaccinations and health check-ups. A kitten is not so different from a child. It needs properly-scheduled check-ups and immunizations to prevent medical complications down the road. Treat your cat as if it were a member of the family.
Don’t bring home a cat with long hair without taking into account the extra care they’ll require. There is no denying that long-haired cats are beautiful, but that beautiful coat takes a lot of work and also means a lot of shedding. You should not get a cat with long-hair unless you are ready to do a lot of cleaning. Long haired cats often have hairball problems.
Try moving your litter box somewhere else if the cat won’t use it. Cats know that during the elimination process they are left somewhat vulnerable, so moving the box to a more private area should help. A basement, laundry room, or another area that doesn’t experience much household traffic is the ideal spot for the litter box.
As you’ve read, owning a cat can be a great benefit. However, you must properly care for your cat in order for both of you to be happy. Take the advice below into account if you’re thinking about becoming a cat owner.
Place a collar on your cat that has your name, phone number and address. Even house cats run the risk of getting loose. Do everything possible to make sure your cat is returned safely to you in the event it gets out.