Cats have interesting personalities. Though they are independent, cats do need time with their owners as well. They may be a confusing animal at times, but you will love it when they jump on your lap and purr. The following advice will help you care for your pet.
Don’t let your cats play with drape cords. Do not let your cat play with these. If the cords are in loops and the cat jumps into them or plays with them, they could possibly get them caught around their neck. This could really hurt or possibly kill them. It is highly recommended that you keep all drape cords pinned in such a way that the cat can’t see them so as to prevent any accidents.
Prevent your cats from playing with drapery cords. If the cat becomes caught in a loop, they could choke to death. This may harm or kill them. Hang your drapery cords out of your cats’ sight to avoid this.
Groom your cat. Brush your cat’s fur often to help it be shiny and healthy. If you do this frequently you’ll be able to help the cat have clean fur. In addition, it helps decrease shedding, which results in less hairballs. Your cat should be kept groomed so that they look great and you’ll also make your home look good.
If you plan on getting a cat for a pet, try looking into a local shelter. Many shelters are overcrowded with lovable and adoptable cats. You really are saving a life and keeping the feline population in check all in one!
Heated tiles are great to put under a cat bed, especially for the comfort of aging felines. 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. Place it in an older towel and place it underneath of the feline’s bed. Change it out every few hours if you feel the need.
Grooming is an essential part of your cat’s care. Brush your cat’s fur often to help it be shiny and healthy. Do this often in order to aid in keeping your cat’s outer coat clean and healthy. Doing this will also help alleviate hairballs and excessive shedding. In order to keep shed hair down to a minimum, plus have a beautiful cat, you must groom your cat regularly.
Take your cat to the vet every year. They should go in for a routine check-up at least once a year, possibly more if they need important shots. If you notice that your cat appears to be experiencing some sort of illness or injury, do not delay a trip to the vet.
You must always take your cat for regular vet check-ups. There are shots and vaccinations that are standard and necessary for your cat. Try using the same vet during your cat’s life. This ensures that your vet knows your cat’s medical history.
It is not safe to use dog products for your feline friend. Your cat will have a bad reaction to anything that has been specifically formulated for a dog. Flea products are a prime example. When used on your cat, flea products for dogs can be lethal. You should keep your cats and dogs separated after using a flea treatment.
To help your aging cat feel cozy, place a warmed tile under his bed. You should heat a terra cotta tile with your oven, at about 200 degrees, for around fifteen minutes. Then, wrap this up into a towel and place it underneath your cat’s bed. If possible, re-heat several times throughout the night.
Feeding your male cat the proper food can help prevent crystals from forming in his urine. The cat is in pain passing the crystals, and the correction for this is costly. Look for foods that are low in magnesium for your cat. Be sure that you read the label. Fish-based foods usually contain more magnesium than poultry-based foods.
It can be hard to prevent your cat from jumping on the counter. Cats enjoy heights, as they can monitor events from their perch. You can control this tendency a bit by making high places in the house that you feel comfortable having your cat utilize. One way to keep your cats from continuously jumping on the counter is to install a cat tower near the problem counter.
A tablecloth for the feeding area can be quite useful. Cats sometimes like to eat food outside of their bowl. Sometimes, this results in food outside the bowl that you have to clean up. There are two ways to do this. You can either put a placemat under the food bowl or use some stray fabric that you have lying around. Either way, you can easily get rid of debris by dumping them in the garbage.
You can also consider outfitting your cat with a chip so you can monitor its whereabouts. Even an indoor cat could someday jump through an open window. Tags and collars may be able to help you get your cat back, but cats can sometimes take these things off or they could get hung up on a tree or something. Microchips are very small, and you can note your name, address and phone number in there. The majority of veterinarians possess scanners that can read your chips. Because these chips are placed underneath your cat’s skin, they won’t get lost.
Cats have a love affair with heights. Make sure your cat has a safe place to play. You do not need a big cat tree in the living room; simply provide a solid shelf next to a window. You could even place a small bed or blanket on the shelf to make your cat feel more comfortable.
Being nocturnal is quite normal for cats. The result is that cats prefer to be more active during the night. Try closing the door if your cats are keeping you awake at night. This will keep them from pouncing on you and trying to play in the middle of the night.
Do not attempt to teach your cat how to use the litter box. This will be something that the cat does on its own and it usually is not learned fro another. Many people think rubbing a cat’s paws in litter will teach them to use the litter box, but it might actually traumatize them.
Be sure to show your cat affection as much as possible. Cats need just as much companionship as they give out. Like most people, cats like to socialize and feel that they are included in the family. Cats want to feel loved and needed.
Never punish the cat if he or she causes a mess outside the litter box. When this occurs, it tends to be because the box is not being maintained properly. Punishing your cat will make it afraid of being close to you.
Cats can spend hours keeping themselves and their fur clean. If your cat is long haired, this may cause hairballs. 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.
Purchase good quality food for your cat. Ensure that the food your cat eats is very high in protein. Don’t feed your cat food that includes corn or other fillers. You have a carnivorous cat, and a diet consisting of animal proteins is essential.
Cats are often hard to understand, but they still make wonderful pets. Allow the advice this article contains to help guide you on a path to a happier life for you and your pet. Cats are great for everyone, and if cared for correctly, a cat will be a happy, loyal companion.
Purchase a drinking fountain for your cat to get water from. Cats that live in the wild like drinking from running water, and they have the same desires in a home. Streaming water is your best bet. In fact, some cats prefer running sink water to their own water bowls. Drinking fountains are more environmentally-friendly and they let your cat drink naturally.