Simple Cat Tips That Any Novice Can Understand

Cats are amazing. You are responsible for learning and using what you have learned to provide the best life for your cat. The following article will help you learn the answers to the most important questions new cat owners have.

Move any drape cords out of a cat’s reach. These are not great play toys for cats. They can wrap around a cat’s neck pretty easily. This could seriously injure or even kill them. Therefore, ensure that drape cords are pinned away from your cat’s reach.

If you’re thinking of getting a cat for a pet, you should look to the local shelter. Shelters around the country are overflowing, and the cats there need more humans to help. Adoption fees often include things like spaying or neutering them, shots or other vet care. Adopting your cat through a shelter means you are helping to control the cat population and saving a life at the same time.

Dog products shouldn’t be used on cats. Cats will have a reaction that’s negative towards a product made for dogs. This is especially true of flea products. Your cat may die if you use dog flea products on it. Actually, it is best to separate the cat from the dog once the flea problem has been treated.

Good grooming is important for cats. They need to be brushed every day. Do this often in order to aid in keeping your cat’s outer coat clean and healthy. In addition, it helps decrease shedding, which results in less hairballs. Cat grooming will not only keep kitty looking great, but it will also help to reduce the effort spent picking up cat hair around the home.

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. Your cat needs food low in magnesium. Read the labels. Fish products can have more magnesium when compared to poultry.

Check-ups are an absolute must for any pet cat. Your cat requires a variety of vaccines and shots to prevent illness, and it is also important to identify health problems before they become too severe. Do your best to keep the same vet for your pet’s entire life. That way, the doctor will be familiar with the history of your cat.

While usually cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Make sure your child knows how to pet a cat. Demonstrate how the cat should be petted and handled and encourage your children to be very gentle. Cats need to be protected, too. Their bones are much more susceptible than dogs.

Your house can really get torn apart by a cat’s claws. If you have problems with a cat that shreds furniture, invest in a durable scratching post. Entice them to scratch those items rather than your belongings. This solution might take time to take, but it will help in the end.

Cats generally will meow for a reason. As you develop a relationship with your cat over time, it will become easier to determine why she is meowing. Possibilities include that she is hungry or wants to be let outside. By taking note of your cat’s cues, you’ll understand it more.

You can sometimes find better prices for cat medication online than getting it from your veterinarian. There are some times when this isn’t a good idea, like when you’re dealing with a pet related emergency. But if you have to regularly buy pet medicine, you can save 50% or more on some medicines by buying online.

Discuss any issues you have with your pet with others. You may wish to deal with it alone, but you may need advice from other cat owners. There are a number of message boards for cat owners on the Internet, or you can go to your vet with problems.

Cats generally will meow for a reason. After living with your cat for long, it’s easier to interpret its meows. It could be she’s hungry or needs to go outside. Look for the cues and you’ll be much more in tune with your pet.

If your cat relieves itself somewhere other than its litter box, it shouldn’t be punished. If this happens, it may be because you have not kept the box as clean as you should. If you attempt to punish your pet, you may cause fear and resentment–and more accidents!

Reconsider outside time for your cat. The outside world is very dangerous for cats. Your cat may get fleas or something even worse than that. Other animals, cars and people can hurt your cat. If the cat must go outside, set aside a small part of the backyard or front lawn as a place where they can go.

Feed your cat a few different varieties of food. This can help him not get too finicky. By feeding the cat the same kind of food over and over again, they become used to that specific food. Good luck getting it to try something new!

Never make the mistake of leaving a kitten in a room alone with small children. Children under five years of age should not be left alone with a kitten. Their immaturity prevents them from understanding how easily they could hurt the kitten. When children are over the age of five, then you should decide whether or not they are mature enough to handle a kitten.

Is your pet’s scratching post starting to look beat up? Don’t toss it out! You may believe that it’s in terrible condition, but cats typically prefer it this way. Removing the post could cause your cat to look for something else scratch, possibly damaging your furniture.

High areas are ideal for cats. For a truly happy cat, provide a safe place for your cat to survey 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. To make it really special, put a bed or blanket up there too.

Think carefully about where you put the litter box for your cat. Do not hide the box simply to reduce the smell. However, your cat’s litter box needs to stay in an easily accessible place so that he can find it. This will keep your cat as happy as possible. A litter box located in the basement should be placed on a thick mat or rug.

You cannot teach a cat to use a litter box. This is not something that needs to be taught. In fact, it comes naturally for them. Some thing that rubbing a cats paws in litter is smart, but it can actually cause them mental trauma.

Try relocating your cat’s litter box if it’s refusing to use it. A cat’s instinct tells him that eliminating puts him in a vulnerable state, so try putting his litter box in a safe, quiet area of the house. Some great examples of such locations are basements, laundry rooms or any other less frequently used room in your home.

Scratching Post

When dogs are excited their tails wag from side to side. Cats also exhibit this tail-wagging behavior, but the message is different. For cats, tail-wagging usually indicates some type of conflict or that he is deciding whether or not to attack or flee from a situation. If you happen to be cuddling with your cat when the wagging occurs, be prepared to loosen your grip!

Don’t toss an older scratching post just because it looks worn. You may believe that it’s in terrible condition, but cats typically prefer it this way. Your cat might not want to use the new scratching post and start ruining your furniture instead.

Keep cats inside as much as you can, or at least close to you or your home. Indoor cats live longer and have less illness and pests than outdoor cats. Roaming around the house doesn’t cause as much risk as roaming the wild.

If you’re adding an additional cat to your home, give the cats a few weeks to get to know each other. They may swat at each other or hiss; that’s nothing to be concerned about. Eventually, they become used to each other and are comfortable together.

Preventing hairballs can help keep your cat sanitary and safe. Give your cat’s regular food an addition of pumpkin (about a teaspoon’s worth). You can also mix one teaspoon of tuna water in with the pumpkin. Anti-hairball foods are available commercially as well.

Be aware whenever your cat suddenly quits using its litter box. Lots of cat conditions will make it difficult for a cat to defecate or urinate in their litter box. Kidney, bladder and infection issues can make this occur. Consult with your veterinarian when your cat refuses to use its litter box.

Try keeping your cat indoors. Outdoor cats usually do not live as long, and they are at higher risk in contracting many diseases. Your family, in turn, could get sick from your cat. Make sure an indoor cat has a sunlit perch to keep him or her content.

Try relocating your cat’s litter box if it’s refusing to use it. Cat’s sometimes just don’t like the location you’ve picked for the box. Some great examples of such locations are basements, laundry rooms or any other less frequently used room in your home.

Only put a breakaway collar with tags on your cat. Cats are intelligent creatures and can easily find a way to get outside. By having a tag collar on your cat, it will be easier for others to find your cat and return it to you in case it gets lost.

Keep your cat inside as often as you can. Research has shown that indoor cats have longer life spans than outdoor cats. While cats can get their exercise roaming the neighborhood and squaring off against other cats, they can also get diseases and injuries this way. Vigorous indoor play with an owner is a preferable way to get exercise.

You cat will likely be upset when you bring another pet home. Prevent animal drama by separating your cat and new pet. Give your cat time to get accustomed with the other pet’s scent. Shortly thereafter, you can gradually allow the two animals to spend a little time together.

As you know already, it can be very rewarding to be a cat owner. To make sure your cat stays happy and healthy, you need to learn all you can about caring for them peoperly. Read through this article a couple of times to soak up all of the info it contains. Your cat is certain to appreciate the time you spent learning on caring for it.

Although the holidays may seem like the perfect time to give your child a cat as a present, it is much too hectic a time to give a new cat the attention he deserves. Get a pet that truly suits your family by bringing your children along for the selection process.