Agility, intelligence, and the sound of purring. Those are the benefits of owning a cat. They need a lot of care, and this article will show you what to do. The following article will give you some helpful advice, to assist you in getting to know your cat better. Now, read on!
Take your cat in for regular vet exams. In addition to checking the health of your cat, a vet can give him any needed shots. Try using one veterinarian consistently. This person will be more knowledgeable on your cat’s history.
Spay your female cat. You may believe that this is unnecessary if your cat stays inside all the time; however, cats almost always find a way to get outside, especially when they are in heat. When this occurs, your cat could get pregnant. Getting your cat spayed is the best in regards to prevention.
Your cat will want to climb into small spaces. Cats that wear collars are at risk should they become stuck somewhere cramped. A breakaway collar has the ability to release its hold if the cat pulls tightly on it. This will help you save your cat’s life.
In order to be sure your cat is healthy, take them to their vet regularly. They should have a routine check-up once a year or more if important shots are due. Cats must see their vet right away if they start having health issues, injuries or other problems.
Be cautious about using canine products on your feline friend. Products designed for dogs or other animals could cause a negative reaction from your cat. Flea products are a great example of this. Dog products that are flea related can kill a cat. Your cat needs to be away from the dog after your dog has received a flea treatment.
Cats are often nocturnal creatures. Do not be surprised if your cat is very active at night. If you find that your nocturnal kitties are waking you up in the middle of the night, the solution may be as simple as closing the door to your bedroom. You can keep them from bothering you at night and getting your feet while you’re under covers.
You may want to have a microchip put into your car. Even indoor cats get out sometimes. Cat collars are a great thing to have in case your cat gets lost, but they also pose a risk if they get caught on something. Microchips are as small as a rice grain and have all of your important contact information. All shelters and vets have scanners to ensure your cat gets home safely.
Be careful as small kids may treat kittens too roughly. Show your kids the proper way to handle cats. Demonstrate how the cat should be petted and handled and encourage your children to be very gentle. Cats have weaker bones than dogs do, and must be treated accordingly.
The litter box for your cat needs to be kept in a good place. Don’t put it in a busy area, and keep it away from your cat’s food. The area should also be well ventilated so that it doesn’t smell too badly. Both your cat and you will appreciate this.
When you get a cat for your kids, make sure your kids know the rules in advance. Make sure your children know what rooms the cat can go into and what rooms it can’t. If the cat is to be indoors, tell your children not to allow him 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.
When you buy a small kitty for your children, set the boundaries ahead of time. Let your children know which areas of the house are off-limits for the cat. 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.
Cats have a love affair with heights. A cat will only be happy if you give it a safe spot to look over everything. If you’d rather not invest in a cat tree, simply use a large shelf or bookcase without any breakable items. Adding a small pillow or blanket to the spot for napping will be very much appreciated too.
If you want to let your cat outside, think again. This can put your cat in an unsafe position. It takes mere minutes for your cats to pick up fleas, be bitten by a tick or something far worse. Cats can be gravely injured or killed by eating poisonous plants, flowers or chemicals, hit by a car or even harmed by neighbors who are irritated with your cat on their property. If you think your pet needs to go outside, think about enclosing a back patio with metal mesh or some type of heavy screen to keep your cat inside, yet allow them to experience the outdoors.
Feed your cat several different kinds of food if you want to the lower the chances of them becoming finicky. If they only eat the same food, they may never eat another food in the future.
You should brush your cat on a regular basis. Brushing improves the circulation of your cat and helps spread natural oils in the fur. It will also remove loose hair. This helps to stop hairballs and their associated medical problems.
Make sure your cat gets plenty of opportunities to play. Actually playtime is very common for all animals, especially cats and people despite their age. Older cats may not have much energy, but they still like to play. Make sure you play with your cat at least once a day.
You cat needs to get used to being in a carrier. Introducing your cat to a carrier as a kitten can really help to make this easier. Cats learn well when they feel encouraged. Put a nice blanket inside the carrier then leave it where the cat is most often. Soon that cat will walk into the carrier on its own. Transporting the carrier with your cat inside makes your next trip out much easier.
Make sure your cat has routine check ups and vaccinations to ensure longevity and good health. A kitten is not so different from a child. It needs properly-scheduled check-ups and immunizations to prevent medical complications down the road. You need to stay up to date with immunization and booster shots to improve the health of your cat.
Purchase good quality food for your cat. Scrutinize the ingredients closely, and make sure that quality protein sources like chicken, fish and beef are first on the list. If the food uses fillers like corn and other things that are not protein, that’s not a sign of the good nutrition a cat needs. This type of food should be avoided. The main part of a cat’s diet should be meat protein, so his cat food should be mostly real meat.
Litter Box
Buy your cat a fountain to drink from. Cats like their water to move. Cats prefer to drink water that is streaming. In fact, the running water in a sink garnishes more attention from a cat than their water bowl usually does. A fountain keeps the water moving without letting any go to waste.
Take notice if and when your cat ever stops conducting their business in their litter box. Abandoning proper litter box habits is often a warning sign of serious health problems in cats. These problems are generally related to the kidneys and/or bladder. Be sure to go see your vet if your cat stops using its box.
Make sure you consider where you are going to place the cat’s litter box. Your first instinct will be to put it in a nook or cranny so that you won’t see or smell it. But the most important factor is making sure your cat can easily access its littler box. Cats tend to be finicky so you need to give them an environment that isn’t off-putting or inconvenient. If you have the box on a floor that is cold cement for example, put a rug or mat under it.
Avoid leaving a declawed feline outside unattended. Without claws, the cat cannot defend against other animals, which can lead to real issues. The only cats that should be declawed are indoor cats. If you must declaw a cat, only do it to the front paws. Leaving the back claws is no problem since they won’t scratch your furniture or floors.
Place a collar on your cat that has your name, phone number and address. Even a house cat may get outside. It that is the case, you should make certain they have the ability to get back home.
With this article, you’ve got some excellent ideas that will help. When you take the time to learn about them, it helps to make you are more responsible owner. By properly caring for your cat, you will enjoy a happier and healthier cat that you can thoroughly enjoy for many years. Use the information shared here to see what a difference it will make.
If you can, keep your cat inside and close to you. It has been proven that indoor cats have a much longer life span than cats that live outdoors. Roaming around the house doesn’t cause as much risk as roaming the wild.