Great Solutions For Cats That Anyone Can Follow
Cats can be difficult to please. They are often mysterious from the moment they enter your home. With the right techniques, you can improve your abilities as an owner. Here are a few helpful tips to teach you how to care for your cat.
Cats enjoy getting into small spaces. A collar can be a dangerous thing to wear in such a place. A breakaway collar will let go if it is pulled on too tightly. This can make the difference in whether your cat have nine lives or only a couple of them.
If you want a cat to feel like it’s more comfortable, a heated tile may be able to help. 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. Wrap it up in a towel and place it under where your cat sleeps. If you want, you can change it for a newly warmed tile a few hours later.
Your furnishings and belongings can easily be ruined by a cat’s claws. If your beloved feline friend is shredding and damaging parts of your home, try investing in a cat tower or a scratching post. It is much better if your cat uses his claws on that, rather than your furniture. They may not take to it overnight, but they should eventually.
Spritz a little bitter apple on electrical cords to protect your cats. If your cat likes to chew cords, hide the cords as best you can. Use paper towel or wrapping paper rolls to bundle up cords. If you have rarely used electronics, put them up when you aren’t using them.
Do not allow your cat to be bored frequently. Your cat needs plenty of exercise. Unfortunately, many owners do not realize this important part of ownership. A bored cat may fall victim to depression, compulsive disorders or issued that can be harmful to their health. Give them time and space where they can exercise and toys they can play with. A scratching post is a valuable toy to put in your home.
A cat’s claws can do significant damage to your home and belongings. Think about a scratching post or kitty tower if your cat’s claws become a problem. This can encourage cats to scratch something other than things that are off-limits. This solution might take time to take, but it will help in the end.
Cats spend a ton of time grooming themselves. Long hair encourages hairballs. There are foods which help combat this problem. Some foods are enriched in fibers and vitamins to facilitate the digestion of the hairballs.
Litter Box
Try to figure out why your cat makes meowing sounds. If you have spent any significant amount of time around your cat, you will quickly find you can figure out what he wants when he cries. Possibilities include that she is hungry or wants to be let outside. Watch their cues to learn more about them.
You should be sure to place your pet’s litter box in a good location. Don’t put it close to your cat’s food or in an area that gets too much traffic. In addition, you should ensure you place the litter box in a well-ventilated area to minimize the smell. Both you and your cat will be happier.
Talk to people you know about any cat problems you’re having. It’s possible that you could solve the problem on your own, but why deny help from others? The Internet will allow you to contact many forums and online communities for cat owners. Don’t forget, your vet’s office can also provide sound advice.
Your cat probably spends a lot of time grooming himself to perfection. If your cat is long haired, this may cause hairballs. There is a special food on the market that does help out with hairball issues. The are specially formulated cat foods that help reduce the instances of hairballs, which is not only good for your cat, but also good for you and your feet in the middle of the night.
You cannot teach a cat to use a litter box. Cats instinctively understand what to do and teaching is not required. Some individuals believe they should carry their cat to the litter box and rub paws into the litter. This actually can be quite traumatic for a cat.
Your cat has sensitive ears, especially in the car when they’re stressed out. They don’t want to hear you singing at the top of your lungs. Therefore, keep your music or other sounds at an acceptable level.
High quality cat food is important to your cat. Check out the ingredients, and make sure it includes protein, such as meat, as the first item in the list. Any foods with non-protein sources, such as corn, should be avoided. Cats are carnivores and need animal protein to stay healthy.
There needs to be set boundaries with your children and a new kitty. Make sure everyone understands which parts of the house the cat is not allowed in. Make sure that your children know if the cat is strictly an indoor cat. Make sure your children understand the rules from the get go.
Feed canned food to your cat. Dry food is usually cheaper, but canned food boasts a number of benefits. Canned food generally provides more nutrients, protein and fat as well as liquids. Aging cats can chew this easier. Speak with your vet, however generally speaking, canned cat food is better for your cat.
Cats like to be high up to see the surrounding area. Your cat will be truly happy if you provide a place for him to view his surroundings. If a big cat tree is not something that can easily fit in your home, get a sturdy shelf that can be used as a perch. For an additional treat, put a little bed or blanket in there, too.
If you’re adding an additional cat to your home, give the cats a few weeks to get to know each other. They may still hiss and growl when they are in the same room together. With enough time to acclimate themselves to the new arrangement, though, virtually any two cats will become willing, friendly, and perhaps even inseparable companions.
Never try to teach a cat how to work a litter box. This is a natural instinct that cannot be taught. Contrary to what most people believe, it’s actually incorrect to rub a cat’s paw in the litter.
If you notice your cat is urinating a lot or at improper places, you should take it to the vet. Cats sometimes behave like this if they have a urinary infection or other medical problem. Some inexpensive antibiotics can clear up a potentially dangerous illness.
If you wish to add another cat to your home, give it a couple weeks for your old cat and your new cat to grow accustomed to each other. They might have conflict, hide from each other or swat one another. But, eventually, they will get used to the idea, and begin to tolerate, and even enjoy, each other’s company.
Your diet isn’t necessarily the best thing for your cat; some foods just aren’t good for them. Grapes, onions and garlic are a few of the food items. Ingesting these foods can end up making your cat really sick or worse. Refrain from feeding your cat dairy products as well.
Pay attention if your cat suddenly stops using the litter box properly. It may be the sign of an underlying medical issue. This sort of behavior is common among cats with UTIs and other health problems. A quick course of antibiotics can head off dangerous complications if you get your cat diagnosed and treated early enough.
Never allow your cat to be exposed to phenol chemicals. Lysol and Pine-Sol are two examples of products that contain this chemical. It causes liver problems in felines.
Do your best to keep your cat as healthy as possible and take it to the vet regularly. Similar to kids, cats need shots and check-ups to prevent health problems. You have made your cat a family member, and you have to treat your cat accordingly.
Keep your cat inside as often as you can. Cats who live indoors live longer and are healthier than outdoor cats. Outdoor trips should be made in the company of the owner to keep cats safe from the dangers (like infections and attacks) that free-ranging cats face.
The things that this article has taught you should have you taking the best care of your pet you possibly can. Use these tips so your cat will be in better health and to ensure its needs are met adequately. Then, he MIGHT start being nice to you. Well, perhaps!
If you own a declawed cat, do not let it outdoors. Without claws, your cat is essentially defenseless against other animals. This is a dangerous situation for the cat. Indoor cats are the only ones who should be considered for declawing. Even then, you should only have the front claws removed. Leave the back claws, as these do not scratch your floors or furniture.
