Cats are great, but they are known for having very specific preferences. From nail clippings to specific diets, there are many things you must consider. This article will give you advice on how to properly care for your cat.
Visit your local shelter if you’re thinking about getting a cat. Shelters all over the country are crowded with marvelous cats, and most provide veterinarian care with the adoption fee. When adopting a shelter cat, you’re saving a life and aiding in controlling the cat population.
You never want to leave the cords of your drapes dangling down. Keep the cat away from these cords as they tend to form loops when the cat is playing around, and it could accidentally go around their neck and strangle them. This can definitely hurt them, and it could even kill them. Hang your drapery cords out of your cats’ sight to avoid this.
If your cat is a female, it needs to be spayed when it reaches the appropriate age. 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. Spray your cat so that this does not occur.
Look a local animal shelters for cats. Shelters have a lot of cats in them and you can get one adopted for a small fee. When you bring home a shelter cat, you will be saving its life and you will be doing your part to help out.
Do not allow your cat to get an electrical shock. Spray them with bitter apple, and they will stay away. Cat can sometimes chew on cords, and they should be covered to prevent this. Loose cords can be bundled and tucked inside old paper towel rolls. Put your electronics away so your cat is not tempted to chew on the cords.
Be sure your cat gets regular checkups at the vet. Your cat needs to get a checkup about once every year, or more if there are issues that come up. Cats should go to a vet immediately if they have any conditions, health problems, or injuries that need to be tended to right away.
Make sure your cat gets lots of love. They are very loving animals and deserve affection back. 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 wish to be a happy and valuable family member.
Make sure your cat is not too bored. Play is important to the health and vitality of your cat. Sometimes, cat owners don’t realize this. Cats who become bored often have issues that can affect them in a big way. Some of these issues are obesity due to eating out of boredom, OCD issues, fighting with other pets and depression. Give them plenty of space to roam and provide them with toys to give them some exercise. Provide them with an indoor climbing area or scratching post.
If you want to let your cat outside, think again. This can put your cat in an unsafe position. Your cat may pick up some fleas, or worse. Your cat may be targeted by another animal, or get injured by a vehicle or another person. If your cat must go outside, try to confine them to the backyard.
Cats spend lots of time grooming themselves. Long-haired cats often develop hairballs. To assist your cat if it has this problem, you should get food that’s special. Some foods contain extra oils and nutrients, specifically designed to prevent or diminish hairball concerns.
Is your home also the home of both a dog and cat? Dogs love to eat cat food! This is why you should have a feeding area for your cat that is too high for the dog to reach. This can also prevent unnecessary arguments between your pets over the water supply, once the food has been consumed.
Be sure you think about your cat’s ears when traveling. You may be tempted to blast your favorite songs at top volume. Cats, on the other hand, would probably prefer that you didn’t. Therefore, the volume of your music should be minimized, and turn it off completely if necessary.
Understand that cats enjoy being elevated. A happy cat is one that has a safe living environment. 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. Adding a small pillow or blanket to the spot for napping will be very much appreciated too.
Cats are generally great with kids, though small kids may be too rough. Show your kids the proper way to handle cats. Show them how to gently pick kitty up and what kinds of activities are appropriate. Cats have weaker bones than dogs and need more gentle treatment.
Talk to people you know about any cat problems you’re having. You may wish to deal with it alone, but you may need advice from other cat owners. You can find online cat forums to ask questions, or you can speak with your vet.
Brush your cat at regular times. Brushing spreads natural oils through the fur and also stimulates circulation. It can also reduce the amount of loose hair they have. This prevents hairballs, which can cause choking, and builds up in the cat’s stomach from self grooming.
Don’t try to show your feline how to go in the litter box. This should come naturally for your cat. You cannot teach it to do this. A lot of people think that rubbing a cat’s paws in its litter box may help them, but in reality, it can be damaging to them.
If your cat dirties the space near his litter box, don’t punish them. Improper box care on your part causes the mess, not the cat. Punishment can make your cat fearful in your presence.
If your cat dirties the space near his litter box, don’t punish them. Improper box care on your part causes the mess, not the cat. If you attempt to punish your pet, you may cause fear and resentment–and more accidents!
If your cat’s scratching post looks old and worn, don’t throw it away immediately. To your cat the post is just right. If you toss it away in favor of something newer, your cat may look for something older to scratch, and that may end up being your furniture.
Vary your cat’s diet just a tiny bit to keep them from being picky. If you start them off eating the same type of food all of the time and you never change it up, this will most likely be the only food they will eat in the future.
You eat quality food, and if you want your cat to stick around a long time, they need quality food, too. Carefully look over ingredients, and be sure that a quality protein source like chicken, fish, or beef is at the beginning of the list. Avoid brands that use non-meat fillers like corn. The main part of a cat’s diet should be meat protein, so his cat food should be mostly real meat.
Provide your cat with a drinking fountain. Cats like running water in the wild, as well as in the home. The drinking fountain will look more inviting than a water bowl. In fact, some cats prefer running sink water to their own water bowls. So a drinking fountain makes a smart investment that’s both environmentally friendly and loved by your feline.
You should install a small drinking fountain for your cat. Cats like their water to move. A constant stream of water will entice them to stay hydrated. In fact, there are cats that enjoy drinking from a running sink instead of a bowl. This is a more natural way for them to drink.
Feed canned food to your cat. Although it is usually more expensive, canned food offers real nutritional advantages. Canned food gives your cat more protein and the water content helps with hydration. As your cat ages, canned food is more easily chewed. Ask your vet, though canned food is often better for your cat.
Your cat should be given food from a can. Dry food is usually cheaper, but canned food boasts a number of benefits. The water content is higher, and there is more protein and fat in the canned food. It is easier for older cats to chew. Speak with your vet, however generally speaking, canned cat food is better for your cat.
Is there cat hair everywhere? Cats shed frequently; therefore, you need to brush them on a regular basis. If your cat is a big shedder, you definitely want to brush him often. This will prevent your cat’s coat from getting matted or tangled.
Are you overwhelmed by cat hair? Cats do a lot of shedding, and it helps to brush them. The more a cat sheds, the moor they should be properly brushed. Frequent brushing or combing keeps the cat from getting a tangled, matted coat.
It is possible that placing the litter box in a new part of the house will help your cat to bond with it. Cat’s sometimes just don’t like the location you’ve picked for the box. A basement or laundry area might be a good option.
One way a dog shows affection for his owner is to wag his tail. Cats wag their tail for a different reason. In cats, wagging of the tail tends to indicate conflict or anxiety. If you’re holding the cat and their tail begins wagging, they should be put down so that you don’t get scratched or hit.
If your schedule has changed recently, leaving your cat alone for long periods of time, you may find that your cat will seem lonely or lethargic. If your cat is going to be home alone often, then you should consider adopting a second cat.
Be aware of any panting. Panting is quite normal for dogs. Your cat may pant if it is anxious or overheated, but panting may also indicate a more serious problem. Be sure to talk to a vet, particularly if the cat is prone to respiratory issues.
If you worry about the cat you have getting fleas, rabies, or any kind of fungus then the cat shouldn’t go outside. Even though it is possible these issues could affect indoors cats as well, they are definitely more prone to experience them if they are outside quite a bit.
Preventing hairballs can help keep your cat sanitary and safe. Consider mixing cat food with a single teaspoon of pumpkin. In addition to the pumpkin, try one teaspoon of water from a can of tuna. Special foods are available to help treat hairballs.
Be wary of any small spaces around your house that you want to keep your cat out of. It’s amazing how small a hole has to be before a cat can’t fit. This definitely applies to kittens. Look into this before getting a new cat. Cover all large holes to prevent a hazard for your cat.
Being a pet owner means you have to be responsible. Use the information in this article to become a great cat owner so you can enjoy the experience fully. Do more research on the different things you can do to keep your cat happy and healthy.
The holidays may not be the best time period to present a cat to your children. The better way would be to involve your child in picking out their new cat at a pet store or your local shelter.