Helpful Tips About Cats That Simple To Follow

Lightning reflexes, soft purring and quick wits. These are all features you get to enjoy from cat ownership. Cats can be a lot of work, in which case you will need some advice. This article gives you the tips necessary to live a great life with your cat. Read on!

Your cat needs a collar and tag if it goes outside. Cats enjoy traveling far away, so a tag can help your cat get back home when lost. Have your phone number engraved on the tag.

You must always take your cat for regular vet check-ups. Cats need vaccinations to keep them healthy, and your vet can keep an eye out for any other health issues. Always use the same veterinarian if possible. You won’t have to worry that the vet won’t have all of your cat’s medical records.

Prevent your cat from getting zapped by coating exposed wires with bitter apple. If your cat happens to be a champion cord-chewer, you’ll need to use cord covers to protect your cords. You can do this by bundling them and tucking them in the cardboard rolls that are used for paper towels. If you own electronic devices with thin cords, you should keep them out of your cat’s reach when you’re not using them.

If your cat is getting older, you can increase it’s comfort by placing its bed over a heated tile. 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. Keep this underneath your cat’s resting space for extra warmth. If necessary, you can change out the tile after a few hours to provide continued warmth.

Never let your cat experience frequent boredom. Your cat needs plenty of exercise. This is sadly overlooked by some cat owners. A lack of stimulation can lead to psychological or medical problems for your cat, including depression, compulsive disorders, and chronic misbehavior. You need to give it new toys regularly and make sure your cat has plenty of space to run and play. A scratching post is a valuable toy to put in your home.

Ensure that your cat goes to the vet often so that they are healthy. They should go at least once yearly for a check-up, and more often if they need any shots. Cats must see their vet right away if they start having health issues, injuries or other problems.

Crystals form in urine from male cats. This can be prevented with good food choices. This problem is painful for the cat and to your wallet, as well. Choose a cat food low in magnesium. This means you should pay attention to labels on food. Fish products are usually higher in magnesium.

Scratching Post

Make a tablecloth for your cats. It’s a common practice for cats to eat their food on the side of their bowl. If this happens, you’ll have to clear away any excess food that’s left outside. Put a placemat under the bowl, or even some fabric so cleaning up is a snap.

Your cat’s claws can wreck havoc on your furniture. If your couch is starting to look like it’s been put through a shredder, it’s time to invest in a nice scratching post or cat tower. You should scold your cat when it scratches your furniture and direct its attention to the scratching post or tower. It might not happen overnight, but the problem should eventually stop.

If you offer a variety of foods to your cat, it will be less picky about what it eats. If you raise your kitten with the same food for their entire life, this can become the only type of food they will willingly eat.

Cats love to play on kitchen counters, and it can be hard to break them of the habit. Cats love being up high so that they can see. You can try to combat this problem by designating some high-up places for your cat to hang out. Placing a cat tower by the kitchen can keep cats from getting on counters.

You should feed your cat food out of a can. Dry food is less expensive, but canned food provides more benefits. They have more water, protein and fat too. As your cat ages, canned food is more easily chewed. Be sure to ask your vet about your pet’s food; however, canned food is usually the best for your cat.

The cat’s litter box should be placed in the right spot. Try to keep it away from areas of household traffic and away from your cat’s eating areas. Also, minimize the smell by making sure it is a well ventilated area. Your cat and you will prefer this in the end.

Be patient with your pets when you introduce a second cat into your home. There will be an inevitable adjustment period as your two cats get to know 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.

Receiving plenty of positive, loving attention is important for your cat. Cats provide warmth and affection, and they also require the same from you. Like many people, cats need to socialize with people so that they feel like they are an important part of their family’s lives. They want to know they are a valuable part of the family too.

Cats need to play! Playing is an activity that is very popular with mammals of any age, and this includes cats and people. Even a mature cat that isn’t as spry anymore it still loves to play around. Make sure you spend time doing fun things with your cat.

Take time to train your cat to go into a car carrier. Cats are not as responsive to punishment as dogs are. Cats are better trained by using patient encouragement. Give your cat a treat every time it does something well. Over time, the cat will feel comfortable and go inside the carrier. Let it happen naturally or with only mild coaxing. Do not get angry. Transporting the carrier with your cat inside makes your next trip out much easier.

Before bringing home a long-haired cat, consider the extra care involved. Long-haired cats shed constantly, and the fur ends up on your clothing, floors, and everything else in your home. Only choose a cat with long hair if you can clean up after it consistently. Also, cats with long hair tend to have frequent hairball issues.

High quality cat food is important to your cat. Check out the ingredients, and make sure meat tops the list. Any foods with non-protein sources, such as corn, should be avoided. The main part of a cat’s diet should be meat protein, so his cat food should be mostly real meat.

Make sure you provide adequate space to a cat that is about to give birth. Labor can last as long as four hours, so stay patient. If more than five or six hours have passed, and you think that kittens still remain inside, then you must get in touch with your vet.

Pay attention if your cat suddenly stops using the litter box properly. It may be the sign of an underlying medical issue. This may be a symptom of an infection of the urinary tract or another health problem in your cat. Some cheap antibiotics can get rid of some dangerous illnesses.

Some foods that you like to consume daily might not be good for your cat to eat. These include garlic, grapes, green tomatoes and onions. If your cat eats these things then it can become ill or even die. Milk is something that can hurt your cat’s stomach, so beware of that too.

Do you feel like everywhere you turn you are surrounded by your cats hair? Since cats shed so much, they need to be frequently brushed. If your cat is shedding too often, you should brush it more regularly. This will lessen the amount of hair around your home and it will keep them from getting knots in their hair if they have medium or long hair.

If possible, make sure your cat is always indoors. Cats who stay inside for most of their lives have a much better life span and are less likely to get diseases and parasites. Exercising every day with the owner doesn’t come with the risks of disease or attack that other cats face roaming the wild.

One of the most delightful things about a dog is the way they happily greet their owners. A cat wagging its tail can have a very different meaning. If your cats tail is wagging, it could indicate that the animal is facing a fight-or-flight situation. It also suggests possible conflict or uncertainty. Likewise, if you are holding your cat, and he suddenly starts to wag his tail, you may need to let him down to avoid swats or scratches to yourself!

Did you obtain cat when you did not have a job and you are now returning to work? If so, then your cat is very likely to get bored and lonely. It can be a good idea to get a companion cat to keep yours company when you are at work.

Put a collar around your cat’s neck. Make sure it has your address, phone number and name. Even a cat you plan to keep indoors can sometimes get out or get lost. Should this occur, your cat can be returned to you or someone can contact you with his whereabouts.

Feed dry food to your cat. When cats are kittens they need wet food because their teeth are so small. As they grow older, dry foods ensure that their teeth are strong. For picky cats, mixing dry and wet food together is a great option.

Keep products containing phenol away from your cat. Phenol is found in common products such as Pine-Sol, Lysol, and various other cleaners. The smell offends cats, and it can lead to prolonged illnesses.

Avoid overfeeding your cat, as it can lead to many health issues. Eating over the normal amount can cause them to develop serious health problems or become obese. Keep an eye on how much your pet is eating, and be sure that their diet is balanced.

Be on the lookout for panting in cats. With dogs, this is something that is common. Panting sometimes means your cat might be overheated or perhaps anxious, but it also can sometimes mean something even more serious. Call your vet, especially if you cat has a history of respiratory problems.

If you worry about your cat getting rabies, fleas or getting exposure to fungus, don’t allow them to go outside. While issues can affect your cat while inside as well, you run the risk of more when you offer outside as an option.

This article has provided you with a plethora of ideas. You will become a much better cat owner once you start applying these tips. When your cat is properly cared for, it will be happier and you will be able to enjoy each other’s company much more. Use the information shared here to see what a difference it will make.

Look out for holes around the home you would rather your cat didn’t get into. Cats are able to fit through gaps that are very small. Kittens are especially vulnerable. This is essential when you purchase a new cat. Get holes repaired or covered up as you find them.