Are you a cat owner? Chances are, you know just how remarkable a cat can be. Cats need a lot of care and love. The good thing is that it is very likely that you can meet these needs. Read on to learn more on how to properly care for your cat.
Make sure that your cat is well groomed. Cats should have regular combings. If this is done frequently, your cat’s coat will be much cleaner. 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.
Have your cat see a vet frequently to keep good health. They need a check-up and possibly vaccinations. If you notice that your cat appears to be experiencing some sort of illness or injury, do not delay a trip to the vet.
Cats like to get into all sorts of small spaces. If they’ve got a collar on, this may put them in danger as it can get stuck. A breakaway collar let’s go if pulled on tightly. This can help to save a couple of your cat’s nine lives.
Don’t give a cat a dog’s product. Cats have very strong, negative reactions to products formulated for dogs. Flea products are a great example of this. Your cat can die if you use a dog flea product on it. In fact, it is a good idea to separate your cat and dog for a few hours after your dog has taken flea medication.
To safely help an old cat feel comfortable, place a heated tile under its bed. Just get a tile and heat it up in the oven for a while to place under the cat’s bed. Keep the temperature of the oven at 200 degrees. Put it inside a cloth and place underneath your feline’s blanket or bed. When the tile cools down, change it out for a fresh, warm one.
Your cat needs a collar and tag if it goes outside. A lost cat is much easier to locate if they are properly tagged. The tag should have at least the pet’s name and the number where you can be reached.
Prevent your cat from chewing on electrical cords by spraying bitter apple on them. If they like to chew on cords, try covering them as much as you can. Loose cords can be bundled and tucked inside old paper towel rolls. If you have electrical cords laying out that are not being used, put them away as cats can play with them and then move on to live electrical cords.
The claws of a cat can really destroy parts of your house and furniture. If you want to prevent or stop your cat from scratching up your furniture, the best thing to do is buy a scratching post or kitty tower for them to climb in. Teach them to scratch on it instead of your belongings. They may not take to it overnight, but they should eventually.
Keeping your cats away from the counters can be hard. Cats enjoy high places so they can see what is happening around them. One way to combat this behavior is to proved your cat with an elevated place it is okay to climb on. Keep your cats off the kitchen counter by placing their towers near the kitchen or even in it.
It can be hard to stop your cat from coming on your counters. One thing they like about it is they enjoy being high up. Give them an alternative. Placing a cat tower near the kitchen will help the cats to not lay on the counter.
You might find that your cat sleeps all day and wants to be active at night. They are often active at nighttime. If your cats are busy keeping you awake early, just close your bedroom door. This will ensure they don’t pounce on you at nighttime, or wake you up in other ways.
Cats are known for spending inordinate amounts of time grooming themselves. Your cat can get hairballs in the event that their hair is too long. To fix this problem, you can try buying a new food. Some foods are in fact formulated specifically to reduce hairballs, and that is a good idea for your cat and you too.
Be sure to show your cat affection as much as possible. Cats are looking for a response in kind in exchange for all of the friendly companionship they offer to humans. Your cat needs to socialize and get plenty of attention from everyone in your family. A cat can feel that he is a valuable, cherished part of their household.
Get your cat used to a carrier. You cannot train a cat the same way you train a dog because they react differently to punishment. Cats usually respond well to encouragement. Put a nice blanket inside the carrier then leave it where the cat is most often. In time, the cat will head inside and be happy. It’s a much easier way to get the cat in.
Your cat probably spends a lot of time grooming himself to perfection. Hairballs are more common in long-haired cats. To help your cat out with this problem, try buying him special food. Some foods are in fact formulated specifically to reduce hairballs, and that is a good idea for your cat and you too.
Don’t get rid of an old scratching post. The cats loves it the most in this condition. By removing the old item and replacing it with a new one, your cat may try to find another item to scratch. This could end up being furniture.
When getting a little kitty for your kid, set boundaries beforehand. Make sure that you let your kids know which areas of the house the cat will be allowed in. If you’re planning on keeping your kitty inside full time, make sure your kids know their pet shouldn’t go outdoors. Knowing the rules ahead will help your child understand.
Give the cat a collar with your contact information. This should be done even with an indoors cat. The animal could get out. Do everything possible to make sure your cat is returned safely to you in the event it gets out.
Seek the advice of others if you have a cat that’s giving you problems. You can solve most problems by yourself, but you might benefit from the experience of others. There are many online cat forums that you can visit and ask some questions. If necessary, you may need to call your veterinarian.
Some foods that you enjoy as a human aren’t any good for your cat. These can include chocolate, grapes, onions and tomatoes. Your cat can get sick after eating these foods. Milk is also not especially good for your cat’s stomach.
Do not punish your cat if they make a mess in the area outside of the litter box. Usually this is a sign that you haven’t cleaned the box recently. If you get mad, they’ll never use the box again.
Do not give cat medications intended for humans. If health problems arise, take your cat to a vet. Using human medicine for your cat is harmful and can even cause their death.
Make sure your cat has identification and a collar all the time. Even if your cat is a house cat, this is still a good idea. Cats can slip out a door in a flash. Tags with your veterinarian’s info and your contact number should be worn. Obviously, this is particularly important for pets who have special health concerns.
Keep an eye on your cat if he or she is panting. Dogs normally do pant. Your cat will pant if it is nervous or overheated but it could also be the sign of a more serious health problem. Be sure to talk to a vet, particularly if the cat is prone to respiratory issues.
Frequent or misdirected urination may warrant a trip to your vet’s office. Cats can show this behavior if they have a type of urinary tract infection or other health issue. Inexpensive antibiotics generally clear this right up.
Your beloved cat is someone that you wish to take proper care of. Since you’ve read the advice above, you should have lots of ideas on how you can better care for your pet. Remember everything you’ve learned here, as it will go a long way in improving your cat’s quality of life. When you show your cat you love it, it will return the love.
If you want a cat with long hair, be prepared to put in extra time and care. Long-haired cats are beautiful animals, but keep in mind that they will shed everywhere in your home. Don’t get such a cat unless you are prepared for the extra commitment they take over regular cats. There will be hairball issues as well.