Cat Tips And Advice Straight From The Pet Care Experts
A cat can make a welcome addition to your family. If so, it’s important you do whatever it takes to keep your cat healthy. They have needs that are different from dogs, and they should not be treated the same way. Keep reading to learn some great information about cat care.
If you’re thinking of getting a cat for a pet, you should look to the local shelter. Shelters usually have many cats who need a home, and the fees typically include their shots and spaying or neutering. When you adopt a cat from a shelter, you save a life and help keep the cat population under control.
Prevent your cats from playing with drapery cords. Don’t let the cat play with them since they can jump into them or play with them and get them around their neck if they have loops. This may harm or kill them. All drape cords should be fastened and kept away from any harm that might come to the cats.
Cats like to get into all sorts of small spaces. They can get caught or stuck if they happen to be wearing a collar. Breakaway collars will “break” if they’re pulled too tight. This can keep your cat alive.
Make sure you keep all the recommended appointments with your cat’s veterinarian. Cats need to get shots so they don’t get sick and a vet can help you make sure your cat is okay. Try using the same vet during your cat’s life. This ensures that your vet will have an excellent understanding of your pet’s medical history.
If you own a female cat, it’s crucial to spay it at the appropriate age. This is true even if you think your cat is indoors only. One escape can lead to a lot of small kittens around! Unless you want the hassle of getting rid of kittens, spaying is the best option for your cat.
Put a heated tile beneath the bed of an older cat. Bake a one-foot tile made from terra cotta in the oven at 200 degrees F for around 15 to 20 minutes. Use an old towel to wrap it up safely before placing it beneath your cat’s favorite napping spot. If necessary, you can change out the tile after a few hours to provide continued warmth.
Don’t use dog products on your cats ever. Products designed for dogs or other animals could cause a negative reaction from your cat. This warning applies to products for getting rid of fleas. Your cat may die if you use dog flea products on it. Make sure to separate your cat from your dog after spraying.
A cat’s claws can do significant damage to your home and belongings. If you have problems with a cat that shreds furniture, invest in a durable scratching post. They can scratch this instead. This solution might take time to take, but it will help in the end.
Your home furnishings can fall victim to your cat’s sharp claws. Buy your cat a scratching posts to focus its attention off your furniture. They can scratch the post instead. It doesn’t happen overnight but with some patience, you should be able to save your house from the claws.
It’s not easy convincing your pet that the kitchen counter is a no-cats zone. Cats like to be up high, where they can watch everything going on. You can try to combat this problem by designating some high-up places for your cat to hang out. A cat tower near the kitchen will ensure that cats won’t lay on your counter.
Most cats tend towards nocturnal behavior. Your cat will probably be very active during the night. If your cats keep you up at night, kick them out of the bedroom. This will stop them from bothering you at night, and playing with your feet beneath the covers.
Your cat needs lots of affection and love. Your cat will enjoy your company if you pet and play with her. Cats have a need to communicate with others to show they are part of the family. They wish to be a happy and valuable family member.
Use quality food to prevent crystals from forming in a cat’s urine. This problem is painful for the cat and to your wallet, as well. Choose a cat food low in magnesium. Be sure that you read the label. Fish usually has more magnesium than poultry.
If your cat is male, understand that he could develop crystals inside his urine, which can be very painful to him. Therefore, prevent this issue from occurring in the first place by feeding your cat the right type of food. These are very painful and expensive to treat. Choose a low magnesium food. Read the ingredient list on the label. Cat food with lots of fish tends to have more magnesium, while products with lots of poultry tend to have less.
Online outlets offer better prices for cat medicine than vets. Online prescriptions are not the best choice if you do not have the time to wait on a mail order, such as in a medical emergency. However, if your pet gets regular prescriptions for a chronic or ongoing issue, you can often save up to 50 percent by shopping online.
Litter Box
Create a tablecloth that your cats can use. Some cats prefer to remove their food from the dish and eat it off to the side. This makes quite a mess. To simplify your clean up duties, place a ready made placemat under the dish or purchase some inexpensive fabric and use it like a tablecloth.
Don’t teach the basics of using a litter box. This skill is something your cats pick up on their own, not something that can be taught to them. Many people think rubbing a cat’s paws in litter will teach them to use the litter box, but it might actually traumatize them.
It would be a good idea for your cat to get used to a pet carrier. You have to take a different approach to training a cat rather than a dog. Encouragement is more likely to get them to respond. Leave the door to a carrier open at all times, and make the interior enticing with a beloved toy and blanket. Your cat will want to inspect the carrier and probably enjoy hiding inside. Once the cat is in the carrier, they will be so much easier to transport.
If your cat’s scratching post looks old and worn, don’t throw it away immediately. It may not look as nice, but cats love a scratching post with some wear and tear. When you bring in a new post, the cat may ignore it.
You may want to try different types of cat food. Cats can easily become finicky eaters. If your cat only eats one brand of cat food from the beginning, he will probably not like any other brand.
Keep a breakaway collar and tag on your cat. This applies even to indoor cats. Your cat will go out as soon as you leave a door or a window open. Tags should include contact information for you and your vet. Veterinary information is essential if your cat needs medication.
Keep old, worn scratching posts. Cats tend to enjoy a scratching toy more after they’ve gotten comfortable with it and made it their own. There is a good chance if you got rid of it and bought a new one that your cat would start scratching up your furniture.
Your cat, along with every other living cat, is susceptible to many different parasites. They will not go away on their own and need to be treated as soon as they are noticed. You can take measures to get rid of or even prevent parasites. Follow these guidelines, and everyone is sure to benefit.
Don’t buy cheap cat food. Look at the ingredients and make sure protein like fish, chicken, or beef is near the top. Steer clear of food made primarily of corn and fillers. Cats in the wild are meat eaters, and domestic cats need meat to ensure optimum health.
