Some Good Advice For A Healthy, Happy Kitty.

Cats can be difficult to please. When you first get them, they can seem very mysterious. However, with the right information, you will have an easier time taking care of your cats, even though they are hard to please. These tips will show you how to take good care of your cats.

To safely help an old cat feel comfortable, place a heated tile under its bed. Simply heat a terra-cotta tile in a 200 degree oven for 20 minutes. Wrap it tightly in a towel and place it under the cat bed. Change it every couple of hours if desired.

Dog products shouldn’t be used on cats. Cats often have negative reactions to dog products. Flea products for dogs are one of the worst products to give a cat. These dog flea products can even cause feline death. Keep them separated by at least one door for a few hours after treatment.

If your cat goes outside, it is important to have a collar with a tag. Cats can range far from your home and the tag will help them find their way home. The tag should contain at least the cat’s name and your contact information.

Make sure your cat is out of harms way by putting a little bitter apple on all the electrical cords to avoid them getting shocked. If your cat still insists on chewing your cords, try to cover as many of them as possible. Any loose cords should be bundled up and placed in things like paper towel rolls. If you have rarely used electronics, put them up when you aren’t using them.

Your cat probably spends a lot of time grooming himself to perfection. If your kitty is a long-haired breed, the result of this might be hairballs. There are special foods you can buy to try to help with this particular problem. Some foods contain extra oils and nutrients, specifically designed to prevent or diminish hairball concerns.

A microchip for your cat is something that you should really consider. Even an indoor cat may find a way out of your home. While a collar with a tag is useful, remember that your cat may be able to escape from the collar while they are away. Collars can also harm your cat if they get caught. Microchips are tiny and contain all your contact information. Many vets and shelters have scanners that can read these chips and since they lie under their skin, they won’t get lost.

Be considerate of your cat’s preferences while traveling. You and your cat probably have different ideas about the ideal volume for the car stereo, for instance: Remember that your cat’s hearing is more sensitive than yours. To keep your cat calm and collected over the course of your trip, keep the stereo low – or perhaps off entirely.

If your cat is traveling with you, remember their ears. Although you might enjoy jamming to your music, understand that cats prefer peace and quiet. Spare your cat’s sensitive hearing by keeping the volume down at all times.

When getting a little kitty for your kid, set boundaries beforehand. Explain where the cat is and isn’t allowed. If you’re planning on keeping your kitty inside full time, make sure your kids know their pet shouldn’t go outdoors. Clearly explaining the rules will limit future mishaps.

Cats are great pets, but little ones may not understand that they are fragile. It is important to show your child how to approach and handle a cat. Help them learn how to pick up a cat and care for it. Cats don’t have strong bones like dogs do, so they need to be treated gently.

Make sure your cat gets plenty of opportunities to play. Playing is an activity that is very popular with mammals of any age, and this includes cats and people. Kitties who are senior citizens may not be super energetic, but they still enjoy playing. Play with your cat, and you’ll both have fun.

Do not attempt to teach your cat how to use the litter box. This is natural to them and does not need to be taught. Contrary to what most people believe, it’s actually incorrect to rub a cat’s paw in the litter.

Put some thought into where you place the litter box. Although you may want to have the litter box hidden in a place where you won’t smell it, your cat’s needs should be before your wants. Make sure your cat can easily reach the litter box at all times. To satisfy a cat’s demanding requirements, the litter box needs to be sited somewhere convenient and comfortable. If the litter box is on a hard surface, make sure to put something soft underneath it.

If your cats create messes near the litter box, don’t punish them. Check out the box instead and see if it has been neglected; this is often a cause of accidents. The cat will be fearful of you if you punish it.

If your cat is pregnant, make sure she has plenty of room to give birth. The process generally takes about three hours, so you must exercise patience. If you suspect that there are more kittens inside your cat and it has been six hours of labor or more, you should take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.

Scratching Posts

If your cat is refusing to use his litter box, you should try putting it in a different location. The cat instinctively feels vulnerable when using the litter box, so make sure it’s in a location that’s totally quiet and safe. Basements, laundry rooms, and other low traffic locations are a great choice.

Keep old, worn scratching posts. Cats prefer used scratching posts. Your cat might not want to use the new scratching post and start ruining your furniture instead.

One way a dog shows affection for his owner is to wag his tail. When a cat wags its tail, it means something very different. In cats, wagging of the tail tends to indicate conflict or anxiety. 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!

Consider buying your cat a special drinking fountain. Most cats will prefer drinking water that is running over drinking water in a bowl. Cats will respond more positively to streams of water. In fact, many cats like drinking from faucets more than from their water bowls. A fountain will give them the same effect, and it is more environmentally friendly.

Put a breakaway collar on a cat with an engraved tag. The cat may get out if it has a chance to, even house cats do this. Should this occur, your cat can be returned to you or someone can contact you with his whereabouts.

Expect it to take several weeks for your current cat to accept a new cat in the home. 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.

Never make the choice of giving your cat human medication. If you have a sick cat it is best to take them to someone who specializes in animal sickness, such as a veterinarian. Drugs and medicines designed for human consumption can cause serious health problems for cats, and in extreme cases, can even be fatal.

Play is something that all cats need to do. After all, everyone likes to play. Older cats do not have the same energy level as younger ones, but they still like to play a little. Play with your cat, and you’ll both have fun.

If you previously adopted a cat when you were home all the time, and now you are away much more, your cat might get lonely. To ensure they’ll stay happy while you’re out of the house, you should consider getting a second cat.

Does it feel like your home is overrun with your cat’s hair? Cats are shedding machines, which means you need to brush them to keep the shedding under control. When you see them shedding more than normal, that’s a great time to brush them. Brushing is a good way to keep your cat’s coat from getting matted and tangled.

Avoid overfeeding your cat, as that may lead to health concerns in the long-term. Besides putting your cat at risk for obesity, providing it with too much food can open the door to many other health problems. Monitor your cat’s meal portions, and be sure he is getting a well balanced diet.

When your cat is due to deliver babies, ensure that she has a comfortable area with some space. The birth of the kittens will take approximately four hours, so use a little patience. If it’s been over 6 hours and you think there are more kittens inside, they need to see a vet immediately.

Put tape on furniture to seal it up. If the cat tends to scratch your upholstery, some tape may stop the practice. Some pet stores sell tape especially for this. If you provide a scratching post along with tape-trapping your furniture, you’ll soon have your cat scratching only where you want it to.

Dogs let you know when they are excited and/or happy when they wag their tails. Cats move their tails for a very different reason. Tail wagging for a cat is more subtle and can indicate many different emotions. Sometimes a cat wags its tail when threatened or frightened. Similarly, if your cats tail wags when you hold it, it’s wise to put it down at that time.

You should never feed your cats human food while you’re dining at the table. The way human food is cooked and the ingredients involved makes for it not being a good choice for your cat. When you want to give your cat a treat, feed him no more than a tablespoon of boiled chicken or beef. You don’t need to overfeed a cat, though, or he can become overweight.

Never make the choice of giving your cat human medication. Go to a vet if there are problems, don’t self diagnose. Pets that have taken human medications face serious injury or worse.

Your cat needs to wear a collar and tag all of the time. Cats are wily creatures, and many have no problems wiggling out of a collar. If your cat ever wanders off, a collar with an i.d. tag makes it more likely that someone will bring him home.

If you have a cat with frequent hair ball problems, and brushing has provided no relief, the following tips might be useful. Put 1 tsp of pumpkin puree in their food. You can also try a teaspoon of water used to pack tuna mixed with the pumpkin. There are foods that inhibit hairballs which have fiber in them. They might take care of the issue.

You cat will likely be upset when you bring another pet home. To avoid conflict, keep your new pet separate from the cat. Let them learn each other’s smell first. After some time has passed, slowly begin integrating the two pets together.

Though cats are not easy to please, this advice can be of assistance. Use them to make sure your cat’s health and needs are handled, so that you can be sure that all his needs are being met. If you do, you might see a positive change in your cat’s behavior. It could happen!

Fresh water is a must for your cat. Although you may not realize how much daily water your cat drinks, there is nothing more important than water for a healthy cat. Clean their water dish every day and make sure they can easily access it.