Excellent Advice About Cats That You Will Want To Read
Would you save the life of an animal? There are plenty of cats who need a home. Simply bring one home, make a friend for the rest of the cat’s life, and use the advice in this article.
It can be hard to make your cat stay off the counter. Cats like heights and like to see everything happening around them. It helps to provide your cat with certain high spaces where it is allowed. One way to keep your cats from continuously jumping on the counter is to install a cat tower near the problem counter.
Cats really enjoy squeezing into any and all small spaces. If your cat wears a collar they might get hurt, and stuck. A breakaway collar will let go if it is pulled on too tightly. That’ll keep kitty safe.
Your kitty’s litter box requires strategic placement. Don’t put it where the cat can’t reach it or near their food. Also, minimize the smell by making sure it is a well ventilated area. Your cat is certain to appreciate a litter box that is put into a good location.
Litter Box
Many times, cat meds can be purchased on the internet for less than they’d cost if you got them from your vet. You can’t always get it online. But, for routine medications, this can be a budget-saver.
Put your cats’ litter box where it is most acceptable to him. Don’t put it close to your cat’s food or in an area that gets too much traffic. It is also advisable to keep the litter box area ventilated to control odor. Your cat will appreciate it and so will you.
Create a tablecloth that your cats can use. It’s a common practice for cats to eat their food on the side of their bowl. This may make a big mess that you need to clean up. To make clean up a breeze, use a place mat underneath the bowl or a piece of fabric. You’ll be able to pick it up easily and shake the excess food into the trash.
Cats are great pets, but little ones may not understand that they are fragile. Make sure that you teach your children the proper way to handle a kitten or cat. Show them what activities are appropriate and how to pick them up. Keep in mind that a cat’s bones are much more fragile than a dog’s.
Reconsider having an outdoor cat. It can be unsafe. Your cat can pick up fleas, or worse. Your cat might be injured by people, other animals and even vehicles on the road. If you still insist your cat be able to go outside, then do so in the fenced backyard.
Make a tablecloth for your cats. It’s a common practice for cats to eat their food on the side of their bowl. This leaves food on the floor outside their bowl that must be cleaned. An easier way to do that is to either buy a placemat and put it underneath the cat bowl, or to cut a bit of fabric to use as a tablecloth that you can pick up and wash or shake over the garbage can.
Unlike most humans, cats love heights. To make your cat happier, give him a lookout perch where he can check out the area. If a cat tower is not ideal, a simple shelf that does not have any breakable items can work. To complete the package, add a cat bed or blanket.
If you get a small kitten for your children, make sure they understand the rules ahead of time. Explain where the cat is and isn’t allowed. If your cat is going to be one that stays inside, let the kids know that it’s not allowed outside. It’s important to remind them as often as necessary, and when you plan ahead of time to teach your children, you will less likely to have issues.
You can tap fellow cat owners for advice if you’re having problems with your pet. Advice from other people can be very beneficial for you. There are many online cat forums that will help you get questions answered. You could also try asking your vet.
Talk to others when you have a problem with your cat. Other cat owners may have had experience with what you’re going through right now. You can also go on the Web and ask your question in a forum.
Purchase a drinking fountain for your cat to get water from. When cats are out in the wild they like to drink running water, and this is true in your home as well. Streaming water is much easier for your cat to take in. Actually, you will see many cats prefer running tap water from the sink instead of the water bowl. A drinking fountain is a more environmentally-friendly way to allow them to drink naturally.
Scratching Post
Are you getting overwhelmed with all the cat hair in your home? Cats are known for shedding, so good grooming habits are a must. The more hair you see on the ground, the more you should pull out the brush. This will also help their coat from getting tangled or matted.
Is your pet’s scratching post starting to look beat up? Don’t toss it out! When a post is worn, your cats may enjoy it more. Your cat might not want to use the new scratching post and start ruining your furniture instead.
Take note if the cat ceases using its litter box. There are many health conditions that can cause your cat to use the restroom in places other than their own litter box. Infections and problems with the kidneys and bladder may be the culprit. Ask your vet if your cat begins missing the litter box.
If you want to buy a second cat, prepare for some time where the cats will be familiarizing themselves with each other. Two cats may fight, hiss, or hide from each other until they become more comfortable. Eventually, they will come to tolerate and actually enjoy being together.
Move the litter box if your cat won’t use it. Cats often don’t go to the bathroom when they feel vulnerable, so move the litter box somewhere quiet. Try rooms that are less used, such as a basement or utility room.
Don’t bring home a cat with long hair without taking into account the extra care they’ll require. While the long hair on a cat is beautiful, it doesn’t look so beautiful all over your home. These breeds are best left to those with the time and energy to do a lot of cleaning. Also, cats with long hair tend to have frequent hairball issues.
Never allow your cat to be exposed to phenol chemicals. Many household cleaners, like Pine-Sol and Lysol, contain this chemical. This smell is very offensive to cats, and prolonged exposure can even damage their liver.
Does it seem like your cat’s hairs are everywhere you look? Cats do a lot of shedding, and it helps to brush them. When you see them shedding more than normal, that’s a great time to brush them. This will help to prevent tangling and matting.
If you decide to declaw your cat, never allow it to go outside. The cat is defenseless against other animals, which may lead to injury or possibly death. Indoor cats are the only ones that should be de-clawed. Even in the case of indoor cats, you should only declaw the front claws. The back claws are left because these won’t scratch your furniture or floors.
Successfully caring for a cat is a difficult but rewarding thing. Through opening your home and heart, you help an animal that needs you. Your cat and you will build a great bond relationship that will last a lifetime. Take good care of your pet, and it’ll take good care of you too.
You should never let your cat use meds that were designed for people. If your cat is ill, you need to take him to the vet to get proper treatment. You can kill a cat by giving them human grade medications.
