The Best Way To Care For Your Cat
Cats are as much a part of the family as anyone else. Do whatever it takes to keep your cat free of parasites. Your cat’s health will be put in danger by these parasites. Continue reading for some great tips.
If you plan on getting a cat for a pet, try looking into a local shelter. Shelters all over the country are crowded with marvelous cats, and most provide veterinarian care with the adoption fee. Besides, adopting a cat from an animal shelter means you are saving this cat’s life.
When looking for a new cat for your home, contact a local animal shelter. Shelters have tons of great cats and their adoption fee will generally cover necessary vet care. Adopting your cat at a shelter allows you to save a cat’s life while also helping mitigate overpopulation.
Groom your cat. Cats require frequent brushing or combing. Doing this frequently can help them keep their coat clean. In addition, it helps decrease shedding, which results in less hairballs. In order to keep shed hair down to a minimum, plus have a beautiful cat, you must groom your cat regularly.
Cats really enjoy squeezing into any and all small spaces. If you keep a collar on your pet, getting stuck in one of these spaces can be very dangerous. Breakaway collars are designed to release in these situations. This can keep your cat alive.
Cats like sneaking into small spaces. If they have a collar on, this might prove to be a safety risk if they happen to get stuck. A breakaway collar has the ability to release its hold if the cat pulls tightly on it. This will allow your cat to live another day if it gets tangled up.
Put a heated tile beneath the bed of an older cat. Put a square foot of terra cotta tile into your oven heated to 200 degrees. Keep the tile in the oven for about 15 minutes. Put it inside a cloth and place underneath your feline’s blanket or bed. If you want, you can change it for a newly warmed tile a few hours later.
Regular visits to the vet will make sure that you cat is as healthy as he can be. Most vets recommend yearly check-ups. If the animal requires certain vaccinations, more visits are necessary. Never hesitate to have your cat checked out if you think that something is wrong; remember that your cat can not tell you they are not feeling well.
Use bitter apple on your electric cords to keep your kitty away from them. Cats who love to chew need to be kept away from cords. Loose cords can be bundled and tucked inside old paper towel rolls. The cords on electronics should be hidden as well.
It’s not easy to keep cats off counters. Cats naturally love heights so they can easily see everyone and everything. Give them an alternative. Keep your cats off the kitchen counter by placing their towers near the kitchen or even in it.
Cats can use their claws to destroy furniture and other parts of the house. You need to get a scratching post or a cat tower to prevent your cat from ruining your furniture. Teach your cat to scratch this instead of the legs of a couch or sofa. It may take some time, but will be worth the effort and expense.
The litter box for your cat needs to be in a good location. The litter box should not be kept in an area with a lot of traffic. In addition, it does not need to be near the cat’s food. Also be sure that the cat litter area is ventilated so the smell doesn’t linger. Both you and your cat will reap its benefits.
Think about putting a microchip in your pet. Even a house cat may end up lost outside, no matter how careful you are. Tags and collars are great, but if a cat escapes them, there’s no guaranteeing they’ll make it home safe and sound. Your important information can all fit nicely on a rice grain sized microchip. Most organizations that deal with animal care can scan your cat for microchips, and because they are implanted, they won’t get lost.
Your cat needs lots of affection and love. Your cat will enjoy your company if you pet and play with her. Like people, cats like to socialize and need to feel like they’re an essential part of your life. Make them feel at home.
Your kitty’s litter box requires strategic placement. Don’t put it where the cat can’t reach it or near their food. Choose an area that is well-ventilated to avoid bad smells. Your cat will certainly appreciate your efforts, and you will too!
You need to establish some boundaries if you are getting a cat for your children. Let your children know which rooms their cat can be in. If you’re planning to have an indoor cat, explain to your children that the cat is not allowed to be outside. By making the rules well known to your children, your children will understand what is and is not allowed.
Your cat can take lots of time to groom themselves to what they consider “perfect.” If your cat has hair that’s long it could get hairballs. Special food can help. Some foods are in fact formulated specifically to reduce hairballs, and that is a good idea for your cat and you too.
Never try to teach a cat to use a litter box. This is a natural instinct that cannot be taught. Contrary to what most people believe, it’s actually incorrect to rub a cat’s paw in the litter.
Try not to let your cat go outside. There are many dangers to your cat outside. They can get fleas, feline AIDS or even leukemia. Cats can be gravely injured or killed by eating poisonous plants, flowers or chemicals, hit by a car or even harmed by neighbors who are irritated with your cat on their property. If your cat must be an outdoor cat, limit it to your own backyard.
Get your cat used to a carrier. Cats do not respond in the same way dogs do to punishment. Cats are much more responsive to positive interaction rather than negative. Leave the door to a carrier open at all times, and make the interior enticing with a beloved toy and blanket. The cat will be drawn to the carrier, where it will feel safe and comfy. In the future, your cat will not get scared when you put him in the carrier.
Feed your cat a few different varieties of food. This can help him not get too finicky. If they eat the same food all the time without changing it, that may be the only one they’ll eat later on.
If your feline stops using a litter box, pay special attention. There are a number of health conditions that can make your kitty urinate and go to the bathroom in places other than the litter box. Infections and problems with the kidneys and bladder may be the culprit. Speak with your vet if your pet stops using the litter box.
Cat Needs
When a dog wags its tail, the reason is because it is happy for some reason. A cat may look like it is wagging its tail, but it is completely different than what a dog does. When a cat is wagging its tail, it’s actually feeling threatened and mulling over the classic question of fight or flight. When you hold your cat and he begins to wag his tail, put him down!
Plan on spending the money for good cat food that contains the nutrients that your cat needs. Scrutinize the ingredients closely, and make sure that quality protein sources like chicken, fish and beef are first on the list. Try avoiding foods that have non-protein elements like corn. Understand that your cat needs a lot of animal protein to stay healthy.
Some foods are not permissible to serve to your cat. Grapes, onions and garlic are a few of the food items. Ingesting these foods can end up making your cat really sick or worse. Dairy, including milk, is also not a good thing to give your cat.
Think about getting a drinking fountain for your cat. This will make things more comfortable and homey for your cat. Cat usually respond well to streams. In fact, many cats like to drink from a running faucet instead of drinking from their water bowls. A drinking fountain is a more environmentally-friendly way to allow them to drink naturally.
Do not let a declawed cat outside. The cat will be unable to defend itself against other cats or animals, risking injury or even death. Indoor cats are the only ones that should ever be declawed. Even with that, only their front claws should be removed. The back claws should remain as they will not scratch furniture or floors.
If you just own one cat but are considering obtaining another one, then you should ensure you allow a few weeks for your old cat and new one to become familiar with each other. Do not expect an instant friendship. Instead, look for them to hide frequently, hiss and possibly even become physical with each other. Give them a bit more time to begin to get used to each other face to face, too.
You should never medicate a cat with something that was meant for humans. If your cat is suffering from a medical condition, be sure and take them to a vet to get the proper medication. Refrain from giving cats any medication not intended for them.
Parasites can be a problem for most cats, and that includes your cat, too. When this happen, you should help your cat get rid of the pests. Use some of the solid ideas in the article above to make sure your pet cat stays healthy. This will make life happier for your cat and you, too.
Check your home for openings that a cat could slip through. Cats can fit into very tight spaces. Kittens especially can fit into small spaces. Keep this in mind when introducing a new cat to your home. Get holes repaired or covered up as you find them.
