New Cat In The House? These Tips Can Help!

The purring sounds and gentle and quick movements that are exhibited. That’s what you get when you own a cat. Those furry little bodies can be a handful though, which is why you need this article. In this article, you’ll find plenty of great advice that will make you a more responsible cat owner. Read on to get some great tips!

If you have drape cords in your home, keep them away from your cats. These can cause your cat to choke if they get a hold of it. This could even choke them to death. Pin the cords of your drapes up where your cat can’t get to them.

You should take your cat to the vet on a regular basis to maintain optimum health. Your cat should always go to the vet for a check up, especially if they need shots. Cats should visit the vet right away if they are having any issues.

Make sure your cat gets lots of love. Cats give us a lot of love, and they deserve to be loved back. Cats thrive when treated like part of the household, so involve them in daily activities around the house. Cats want to feel loved and needed.

If you have an outdoor cat, be sure he or she has a tagged collar. If your cat gets lost during its time outdoors, a tag makes it easier to locate the animal. Be sure the name of your cat and your number can be found on the tag.

If you are traveling with a cat in tow, be aware of the noises in your car. They don’t want to hear you singing at the top of your lungs. Keep your music off, and talk to your cat instead.

Spraying the electrical cords in your home with a bitter apple solution helps keep the cats from chewing on them. If your cat is especially intent on chewing cords, keep them covered as much as possible. 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.

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 cat tower is not ideal, a simple shelf that does not have any breakable items can work. You can also add a small bed or blanket at the top.

You should never allow your cat to be bored all the time. Just like dogs, cats need playtime and physical exercise, too. Unfortunately, a lot of cat owners neglect this. Bored cats will quickly wreck your home or become obese. Make sure your cats have a wide variety of toys and plenty of room for active play. If your cat is an indoor cat, a cat tower or scratching post makes an ideal source of fun and exercise.

Talk to people you know about any cat problems you’re having. Although you may want to go it alone, it can be helpful to seek advice from other people that have experience owning cats. You can find several cat forums online where you can ask questions, or you can choose to simply call your vet for advice too.

Cats are frequently nocturnal in their habits. This means nighttime is an active time for your cat. Try closing the door if your cats are keeping you awake at night. They should stay away from you at night and then they will not be able to jump on your feet.

Regularly brush your cat’s hair. Brushing can help to spread the natural oils and stimulate the skin’s blood flow. It also loosens hair that is about ready to fall out. Loose hair causes hairballs, a common problem for cats. The hair enters the pet’s stomach and they later cough it up.

Your cat most likely spends quite a bit of time grooming. If your cat has hair that’s long it could get hairballs. One way to alleviate this condition in your cat is by feeding him special food. Some cat food out there has a special formula in it that reduces hairballs. This benefits your pet and you.

If your cats create messes near the litter box, don’t punish them. Many times this occurs because the box wasn’t well maintained. Punishing your cat may cause him to become afraid of you or their litter box.

You may get much better prices on medications online. You can’t always get it online. Most of the time, you will get great discounts if you purchase on the web.

Provide your cat with a drinking fountain. Cats out in the wild like to drink from running water, so they would like that at home too. Streaming water is much easier for your cat to take in. In fact, some cats prefer running sink water to their own water bowls. A fountain keeps the water moving without letting any go to waste.

Children usually take well to cats, but if you have a small child, you may need to provide some instruction. Make sure that you teach your children the proper way to handle a kitten or cat. Show them what activities are appropriate and how to pick them up. Cats don’t have strong bones like dogs do, so they need to be treated gently.

Frequent or misdirected urination may warrant a trip to your vet’s office. This may be a symptom of an infection of the urinary tract or another health problem in your cat. You can solve this problem thanks to some very affordable antibiotics.

Take care if you leave a kitten with youngsters. Younger children, especially under 5, cannot be left alone with your cat. Kids of this age aren’t old enough to know how dangerous a cat can be. When children are over the age of five, then you should decide whether or not they are mature enough to handle a kitten.

If you want a cat with long hair, be prepared to put in extra time and care. The hair looks good, except when it’s all over your furniture. Don’t get a long haired cat unless you’re prepared to do a little extra cleaning. More, and longer hair, usually means more hairballs too.

Feed your cat top quality food. Carefully look over ingredients, and be sure that a quality protein source like chicken, fish, or beef is at the beginning of the list. The foods to avoid are those with a large amount of corn and low amounts of protein. Your cat is a carnivore, and for proper nutrition, he should have a food high in animal protein in order to keep him at his best.

Make sure that the litter box placement is easy for your cat to get to. Many cat owners feel inclined to hide the litter box. However, it’s important to make sure your cat can easily access its litter box. A finicky cat may not use the litter box if the environment is very inconvenient. Instead of just keeping the box on cold cement, add a rug or mat beneath it.

Drinking Fountain

By getting your cat the shots and check-ups that it needs, you’ll be able to make sure that your cat lives as long as possible. It is especially important that you get good vet care for kittens so they get all the shots they need. Your cat will be a valued member of your family, which means treating it just as you would other loved ones.

You should install a small drinking fountain for your cat. Cats like running water for drink more than water that is just sitting there. Cats seem to like a water stream better. Actually, you will see many cats prefer running tap water from the sink instead of the water bowl. A drinking fountain provides a more natural and environmentally friendly way for your cat to drink.

If a cat is about to give birth, provide them an area that’s spacious. Understand that a female cat will require three or four hours in order to give birth to every kitten. If it has been more than six hours and you believe more kittens are still inside your cat, you need to get her to the vet right away.

If you notice that your cat has stopped using its litter box, you’ll want to contact your vet. Health problems may be causing your cat to urinate in places other than their litter box. A variety of infections and kidney disease can cause your cat to stay away from the box when they suddenly associate it with pain due to their medical condition. Contact your veterinarian if your pet abandons its litter box.

You should never use medications designed for humans on your cat. If health problems arise, take your cat to a vet. You can kill a cat by giving them human grade medications.

Never allow your cat to be exposed to phenol chemicals. This type of chemical can be found in Pine-Sol, Lysol, and other types of cleaners. The smell is something that cats don’t like, and it also can lead to liver damage if it is used around your cats for a long period of time.

Look out for holes around the home you would rather your cat didn’t get into. Cats have the ability to get through small spaces. This is particularly true for kittens. Before you bring a new cat or kitten home, be sure to check for spaces the cat could get trapped in. You will need to repair or at least cover up any of the bigger holes you find.

Don’t have an outdoor cat declawed. They can’t defend themselves against other animals and cats, which can risk injuries or death. An indoor cat can be declawed. It is important to note that if you are declawing a cat, only the front claws on the cat should be removed. Never remove the claws from the back, as these are not harmful to your stuff.

Ensure you always give your cat flea and tick medicine. Lots of medications are done on a monthly basis, and they are extremely effective. Treatments like these can protect your cat from vermin that can cause diseases or drain its blood. Make sure you buy a brand which is specifically for cats to keep him safe.

Preventing hairballs can help keep your cat sanitary and safe. Mix in pumpkin (a teaspoon’s worth) into the cat’s food. A teaspoon of tuna water mixed with pumpkin can also work. Another solution may be to use a cat food that has anti-hairball properties added.

Your cat will probably become upset if you bring another pet home. Prevent animal drama by separating your cat and new pet. This will help the cat get used to the smell of the new animal. Once some time has past, slowly start introducing the two animals to each other.

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. It can be a good idea to get a companion cat to keep yours company when you are at work.

The holidays may not be the best time period to present a cat to your children. Try bringing your child along with to assist in the pet selection process.

Now that you have read this article, you can better take care of your cat. This will improve your competency as an owner. When you take good care of your cat, they’ll love you that much more. Using these tips will show you the way.

Get your cat “fixed.” Inevitably, your cat will venture out to explore its world. Your cat will attempt to get out even if it is always inside. If your female cat is outside for even a little while, she may come home pregnant. Countless cats are euthanized every year due to overpopulation.