Cat Owners Should Have These Great Tips!
Cats are creatures that exhibit power, agility, and finesse. Felines are possibly the most common of household pets and roam the streets of major cities. Learning to coexist with such animals indoors is a different story. These creative, smart, and agile animals can often be stubborn and need special tactics.
Make frequent checkups with your vet to keep your cat healthy. In addition to checking the health of your cat, a vet can give him any needed shots. Make sure you keep the same veterinarian for your pet throughout its life. This also allows the vet to become more familiar with your cat’s unique health needs and personality.
Visit your local shelter if you’re thinking about getting a cat. Sometimes, you may find the cat of your dreams at a shelter. When a cat is adopted from an animal shelter it saves its life and it helps control the cat population.
You can make your old cat feel better thanks to a hot tile placed under its bed. Simply heat a single foot cotta tile at 200 degrees between 15 and 20 minutes. Wrap the tile inside an unneeded towel and place it under your kitty’s favorite resting spot. When the tile cools down, change it out for a fresh, warm one.
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A tagged collar is essential if you let your cat outside regularly. Cats can roam far, so a tag will ensure you find them quickly when they’re lost. The tag needs your phone number and cat’s name at the minimum.
You shouldn’t ever use products designed to be used on dogs on your cat. Cats will react very negatively to any products intended for dogs. Flea products are a prime example. Flea products that are intended for a dog can kill a cat. You should keep your cats and dogs separated after using a flea treatment.
Check prices online for your cat’s medication to see if they are cheaper than at your vet’s office. When an emergency strikes, however, you may not have the option of buying medications on the Internet. Most of the time, you will get great discounts if you purchase on the web.
Cats love to play on kitchen counters, and it can be hard to break them of the habit. Cats enjoy heights, as they can monitor events from their perch. Making a place high-up for your cat can solve this issue. Putting a cat tower in or near the kitchen can help keep the cats from laying on the counter.
Remember to take care of your cat’s ears if you travel with him. You may enjoy it, but it could be hurting your cat’s ears. If your cat seems upset or agitated, turn down the music and speak calmly to him.
Think about getting a microchip implanted in your cat. One day, your indoor cat might leave through an open door or get outside through an open window. Tags and collars can help you cat return home, but cats can wiggle out of them or risk injury by snagging them on a tree branch or bush. A microchip is tiny, similar in size to a single rice grain and capable of holding plenty of information. Most shelters have a scanner that can pick up the facts located inside the chip.
Cats love high spots. Elevate your cat so that it can scan the area. You should install a cat tree or allow your cat to climb on some shelves. To make it really special, put a bed or blanket up there too.
Cats can have nocturnal tendencies. This means their behavior is quite active during the night. Shut the door to your bedroom. This helps to muffle the sounds of nighttime play. Your cat will not bother you in the middle of the night if this area is off limit.
Don’t try and teach your kitty how the litter box is supposed to be used. They do this by nature and don’t need to be taught. Contrary to what most people believe, it’s actually incorrect to rub a cat’s paw in the litter.
Little kids shouldn’t be left alone near cats. Make sure your child knows how to treat a cat. Show them what activities are appropriate and how to pick them up. Cats’ bones are more fragile than those of dogs, so they need gentler treatment.
You need to provide your cat with a drinking fountain. Cats like their water to move. They are more likely to get plenty of water when it is running. You may have noticed that a dripping sink faucet quickly attracts their attention. Fountains keep the water cool and clean.
A tablecloth for the feeding area can be quite useful. Often, a cat will remove food from his bowl to eat on the side. This means food spillage that you will have to clean later. Something as simple as a place mat can help make cleanup easier.
Is there cat hair everywhere? Cats shed frequently; therefore, you need to brush them on a regular basis. The more hair you see on the ground, the more you should pull out the brush. This will prevent your cat’s coat from getting matted or tangled.
You should think again before allowing your cat to go outside. It is dangerous in today’s society. You cat can get fleas and contract diseases. Your cat could be injured by other animals, people and vehicles. When your cats go outside, keep an eye out to make sure they do not wander too far away.
Take your cat for checkups and vaccinations on a regular basis to keep him healthy and strong. Similar to kids, cats need shots and check-ups to prevent health problems. Treat your cat as if it were a member of the family.
Is there a dog in your home, as well as a cat? A dog will take any opportunity they have to eat your cats food. You should keep your cat food away from the dog. This will ensure they don’t fight over food or water, too.
When dogs are excited their tails wag from side to side. Cats move their tails for a very different reason. If you see a cat’s tail moving like that, it is an indication that they are agitated or don’t know what to do. If you are petting your cat and its tail begins to wag vigorously, stay away from the cat. It may be ready to attack you.
Be cautious when leaving a kitten with children. This is especially true if your child is less than five years old. Most of them simply aren’t mature enough to grasp the concept of danger to themselves or the animal. Find your child’s age of maturity when it comes to handling pets.
Put a collar around your cats neck that contains your name, address, and number. This is also true for indoor cats. It is possible that the animal might accidentally venture out of your home. They have to be able to get home again.
Get your cat accustomed to a carrier. Understand that cats don’t react to punishment as well as dogs. They need positive reinforcement. Take their favorite blanket and place it within the carrier. Then leave the carrier with the door ajar in a frequented spot. Your cat will want to inspect the carrier and probably enjoy hiding inside. Once the cat is comfortable with the carrier, you can transport it easily.
Never have a declawed cat to spend time outdoors. The cat is defenseless against other animals, which may lead to injury or possibly death. An indoor cat can be declawed. If you do decide to declaw your indoor cat, do not remove the back claws. Leaving the back claws are important so that your cat can scratch themselves.
Your cat deserves a high quality food. Look at the ingredients and make sure protein like fish, chicken, or beef is near the top. Stay way from cat foods made of corn or any other ingredients that aren’t based in protein. Cats are carnivores, and they need a good amount of protein in their diet.
Any difference in the environment of your home is easily detected by the keen sense of smell that your cat possesses. This can cause a problem when trying to introduce a new bed, scratching post, or food dish. Don’t be upset if the cat does not take to these items immediately. When your cat becomes more comfortable, he or she will adjust.
Consider buying your cat a special drinking fountain. Cats out in the wild like to drink from running water, so they would like that at home too. A constant stream of water will entice them to stay hydrated. Cats often like the running water more than their own bowl of water. Also, drinking fountains are more environmentally friendly and gives them the ability to drink naturally.
If you were home all the time when you first adopted your cat and are now going to be out of the home, your cat might get lonely without you there. To ensure they’ll stay happy while you’re out of the house, you should consider getting a second cat.
Ensure your cat is collared and wears an identification tag. Even if your cat is a house cat, this is still a good idea. Cats tend to be curious and open doors and windows can be inviting. The tag should have your name and address and also your vet’s. If your kitty has medical conditions, this information can be a life saver.
You should reconsider a choice of providing table scraps to your cat. Human food is not good for cats, due to the additives and ingredients used and the ways we cook food for humans. Egg, chicken, beef or fish are good options for a cat. Cat foods contain the nutrients your cats need, and if you are doing what the food’s directions say to do, then they should be fine.
If your cat suddenly stops using the litter box, you should take him to the vet. This sort of behavior can be caused by urinary tract infections or other, more serious medical issues in your cat. Often this problem is quickly and inexpensively cured with a common antibiotic.
An indoor-only cat is your best bet. Research has shown that cats who go outside regularly do not live as long. In addition, they are more prone to contracting all kinds of diseases. Some diseases may be passed to human family members. Your indoor cat will be happy if it has a warm and sunny spot to sunbathe in or a window to look out of.
Play is an important part of a cat’s life. All mammals love to play. Even a mature cat that isn’t as spry anymore it still loves to play around. Play with your cat and give them the fun time it needs.
Don’t be tempted to bathe your cat. Bathing your cat is generally not necessary unless they’re really dirty or a mishap has occurred. Cats groom themselves everyday; the barbed tongues they have allow them to get dirt off their fur. Cats know when they look good.
If you read these tips, you can control your cat no problem. They will soon figure out what they need to avoid and where they can have a free reign. Training a cat may not be as easy as training a dog, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Soon, you’ll be the owner of a well behaved cat.
Always make sure to use flea and tick medication on your cat. A variety of options are available. These medicines keep harmful parasites away from your cat. Get a brand that’s specifically for cat use to keep them safe.
