The Ultimate Guide To Cat Care For Responsible Pet Owners
If you feel like something is missing from your life, consider getting a cat. Cats in shelters need you. The only thing you need to do is bring one home and take good care of it, something the tips below will help you do.
Keep your cat groomed. Brushing is a very important component towards taking care of your cat. This can keep them clean. It will also cut down on shedding and hairballs. In order to keep shed hair down to a minimum, plus have a beautiful cat, you must groom your cat regularly.
If you’re thinking of getting a cat for a pet, you should look to the local shelter. There are tons of loving cats there, and the fees often cover the needed vet care. You’re literally saving their life.
Cats are curious by nature, which can end up getting them into trouble. If they’ve got a collar on, this may put them in danger as it can get stuck. A breakaway style collar will literally “break away” if pulled too tight. It can really be a life saver for your cat.
Good grooming is important for cats. Just like dogs, cats require regular brushing and de-tangling. Brushing rids your cat’s coat of dirt and helps keep them clean. In addition, it helps decrease shedding, which results in less hairballs. Keep your cat looking at its best by grooming it well.
Spay your cat as soon as she is old enough. Even if she spends her time indoors, it is possible for her to escape while in heat, causing an unwanted pregnancy. Spaying your cat is the best way to prevent this from happening.
Regular veterinary checkups are important for the health of your cat. Understand that cats require vaccinations in order to stay healthy, and the veterinarian needs to regularly check for any health problems. Try using the same vet during your cat’s life. This way, the vet will be very familiar with your cat and its history.
Get your cat to a vet on a regular basis for the best health possible. Your cat should have a health check yearly, but should go in more if your cat needs shots. Cats must see their vet right away if they start having health issues, injuries or other problems.
Cats love to get into tight, small spaces. If they have a collar, this can be a safety issue if they get stuck. Collars designed to release when sufficient force is applied (“breakaway” collars) are a great idea. This can keep your cat alive.
You should think again before allowing your cat to go outside. This can be something that isn’t very safe for a cat. The cat can get fleas or something much worse. Other animals and vehicles could also injure your cat. If you need to let your cat out of the house, be sure it’s in a safe place.
If you want a cat to feel like it’s more comfortable, a heated tile may be able to help. Simply heat a single foot cotta tile at 200 degrees between 15 and 20 minutes. Wrap the tile in a towel and then put it under the bed. When the tile cools down, change it out for a fresh, warm one.
Do you have both a dog and a cat? Dogs will generally try to eat the cat’s food whenever the opportunity comes along. For this reason, you need to place your cat’s bowl in an area that is to high for a dog to reach. This can prevent squabbles over water when their food is gone.
Flea Products
Use care if you have kids and a cat. If children are younger than five years old, pets ought not be left with them. Younger children cannot fully understand how to properly handle a small pet. As children get older, decide when they show the maturity to handle a small pet.
Don’t use dog products on your cats ever. Cats are not the same as dogs, and products meant for dogs can make cats very ill. Flea products should not be used on cats in any circumstance. Canine flea products can be lethal to a cat. After getting the dog treated, keep the cat away for many hours.
While a torn up scratching post might look unattractive, do not get rid of it. Cats typically like older posts compared to newer posts. If you throw it away, you may find your cat scratching on other surfaces.
Make sure your cat has a collar if it goes outside. Cats love to roam, so you need to give someone who finds your cat a way to contact you. The tag should have at least the pet’s name and the number where you can be reached.
Purchase a drinking fountain for your cat. Wild cats like to drink flowing water, and domestic cats are the same. Cats react better to a moving water stream. In fact, the running water in a sink garnishes more attention from a cat than their water bowl usually does. Also, drinking fountains are more environmentally friendly and gives them the ability to drink naturally.
Be attentive to your cat and give them your love and company, often. Cats provide warmth and affection, and they also require the same from you. Without love, cats may not socialize with your family. Cats want to feel loved and needed.
Canned food is usually the best option for your cat. Dry food can be less costly, but there are quite a few benefits to canned food. There is more water in canned food and more protein and fat too. Older cats also find it easier to chew up. Talk to the veterinarian prior to making any big changes; but, usually, canned food is best for your cat.
Male felines tend to get crystals in the urine that can be prevented with proper diet. If they have to pass the crystals it can cause the cat a lot of pain and paying a vet to help with this can cost you a lot of money. Choose a cat food low in magnesium. Go over the label carefully. Avoid fish products.
Play is an essential element of a cat’s daily life. All mammals love to play. While older cats have less energy than their younger counterparts, they can still play a little. Take time and play with your cat regularly.
You may be able to find a better deal on your cat’s prescription online instead of purchasing them from your veterinarian. In emergency situations, buying online may not be a good option. It is possible to save up to 50% on certain medications by purchasing them online.
Are you getting overwhelmed with all the cat hair in your home? Cats are shedding machines, which means you need to brush them to keep the shedding under control. How often and how much your cat sheds can give you a good idea of how often he need to be brushed. It’s also a great aid to keeping the cat’s coat as pristine as possible.
Canned food is an excellent choice for cats. Although dry food is usually less expensive, canned food is better for your cat. Your cat will get more water and more vitamins and protein. Canned food is much easier to chew for older cats. Canned food is usually a great option for your cat, but talk with your vet.
If your feline stops using a litter box, pay special attention. Health problems may be causing your cat to urinate in places other than their litter box. Bladder troubles, kidney ailments, or infections can all cause this sort of behavior. Call your veterinarian right away if your cat doesn’t use the litter box.
Identification Tags
Your cat will thank you if you avoid phenol in your cleaning products. The chemical is most often found in pine cleaners. This smell is very offensive to cats, and prolonged exposure can even damage their liver.
Always make sure that your cat has on identification tags and a collar. This is even true for indoor cats. Cats are curious creatures and an open door or window is likely to be explored. Your cat’s identification tags should provide your contact info and that of your veterinarian. Obviously, this is particularly important for pets who have special health concerns.
Be on the lookout for panting. Panting is completely normal in dogs. Panting can indicate overheating or anxiousness; however, it can indicate health issues as well. Do not hesitate to contact a vet, particularly if there has been a history of respiratory problems.
Make sure play time is an important part of your cat’s life. Really play is something that all mammals share, no matter the age. Your old cat will not play as much but will still appreciate the excitement. Take the time to play and have a little fun with your kitty.
If your cat is spitting up hairballs frequently, and extra grooming does not help, these handy tips may help. Mix about a teaspoon full of pumpkin into your cats’ food. A teaspoon or so of water from a can of tuna can also be mixed in with the pumpkin. In addition, certain cat foods contain ingredients that are made to prevent hairballs, such as fiber. This may help resolve the issue.
Help your cat live a longer life by keeping them healthy and keeping them current with check-ups and vaccinations. Just like with having kids, young cats need to be checked on to see if they’re doing okay from time to time. It also needs its shots so that you can avoid problems later on down the road. Please consider your cat as a family member, and take good care of them.
Keep an eye out for holes in your house you’d prefer your cat stay away from. A cat can squeeze through incredibly small openings. You could easily lose a kitten. Look into this before getting a new cat. Repair or cover up any noticeable large holes.
Cat owners should be proud of loving their cats so much. You are offering your love and your home to an animal desperately in need of it. You can look forward to many years of companionship with your cat. Take great care of your cat and it will be rewarding.
Never offer table scraps to your cat. Cats need special food of their own, which contain certain vital nutrients specifically beneficial to cats. If you want to give your cat a treat, give them a tablespoon of beef, chicken or egg. These treats are by no means necessary. If you comply with the feeding directions for your cat’s food, you are good to go.
