Cats are one of the most popular and best loved pets in the world. If you’ve never had a cat, reading this article would be wise. Living with a cat is rewarding but does present some responsibilities unique to the cat species. Read on for useful tips.
Prevent your cats from playing with drapery cords. Cats love to play with hanging cords and this poses the threat of your cat hurting themselves or becoming entangled. This can definitely hurt them, and it could even kill them. Make sure that the cords are completely out of sight.
Be sure you show your cat lots of love. A cat’s companionship should be returned with the same. Like people, cats like to socialize and need to feel like they’re an essential part of your life. This will increase the love that surrounds the family.
When looking for a new cat for your home, contact a local animal shelter. Many shelters have more cats than they can handle and the fees associated with adoption take care of vet visits. When a cat is adopted from an animal shelter it saves its life and it helps control the cat population.
Cats frequently groom themselves. Your cat’s long hair can cause hair balls. If you’ve got a cat with this issue, get it special types of food. Some cat foods are specially formulated to help reduce hairballs, which is good for both you and your pet.
Cats need a certain amount of grooming to stay healthy and presentable. Cats should have regular combings. This will keep your cat’s coat clean. It also reduces their shedding and hairballs. Keeping your cat nicely groomed will keep him and your home looking their best.
There is no need to spend hours trying to litter train your cat. This is natural to them and does not need to be taught. Many people think rubbing a cat’s paws in litter will teach them to use the litter box, but it might actually traumatize them.
If your cat is getting older, you can increase it’s comfort by placing its bed over a heated tile. You should heat a terra cotta tile with your oven, at about 200 degrees, for around fifteen minutes. Place it in an older towel and place it underneath of the feline’s bed. If necessary, you can change out the tile after a few hours to provide continued warmth.
Don’t buy cheap cat food. Your cat needs a lot of protein from meat, so read the labels before you choose a food. Some foods contain a lot of fillers like corn products, don’t buy those. Cats are carnivores and must have a lot of animal protein for proper nutrition and better health.
Regular visits to the vet will make sure that you cat is as healthy as he can be. They should go in for a routine check-up at least once a year, possibly more if they need important shots. When the cat seems to be acting abnormally, take it to the vet immediately.
Invest in a cat friendly fountain. This will make things more comfortable and homey for your cat. Cats generally respond better to a stream of water. In fact, many cats like drinking from faucets more than from their water bowls. Also, drinking fountains are more environmentally friendly and gives them the ability to drink naturally.
You should not use products designed for other animals. This can irritate your cat or cause an allergic reaction. This definitely applies to flea products. Flea products that are intended for a dog can kill a cat. Keep them separated by at least one door for a few hours after treatment.
Feeding your cat the proper canned food is ideal. Dry food is usually cheaper, but canned food boasts a number of benefits. The moist food gives your cat water, and it usually has more protein and fat in it. Canned food is much easier to chew for older cats. You should listen to what your vet recommends, though.
Your cat needs attention and a lot of affection. They usually offer us warm companionship, and they require the same. Cats need a social life with people just like you do with other people. Make them feel at home.
Aired Cat
Your cat most likely spends quite a bit of time grooming. In long-haired cats, hairballs can result from excess grooming. If you’ve got a cat with this issue, get it special types of food. Some cat food out there has a special formula in it that reduces hairballs. This benefits your pet and you.
Think about the extra work before buying a long-haired cat. That lovely, silky coat won’t look nearly as good all over your floors as it does on the cat. Realize the extra effort needed to keep a long-haired cat. More, and longer hair, usually means more hairballs too.
Prevent crystals from forming in the urine of male cats with the right diet. Just like kidney stones, these crystals are painful and vet bills are pricey. Keep your cat’s diet low in levels of magnesium. Read the label. Fish products tend to be higher in magnesium than poultry products.
Some foods that you enjoy as a human aren’t any good for your cat. Garlic and onions are popular examples. Even a little taste of these foods can make your cat seriously sick. Milk is also not especially good for your cat’s stomach.
When your cat accompanies you on a trip, remember to consider the health of their ears. You may enjoy it, but it could be hurting your cat’s ears. If your cat seems upset or agitated, turn down the music and speak calmly to him.
Avoid using phenol-containing chemicals if you have cats. Lysol, Pine-Sol and many other products contain this chemical. The smell of the chemical isn’t pleasant for your cat and prolonged exposure may cause liver problems.
While cats are good pets for children generally, smaller children may treat them too roughly. Teach your kids how to treat a cat. Show them what activities are appropriate and how to pick them up. Cats have weaker bones than dogs do, and must be treated accordingly.
Your cat should be kept inside whenever it can be near the person who owns it. Indoor kitties typically live longer than the outdoor variety. 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.
Don’t leave a kitten with small kids. Children under 5 years of age should not be alone with the pet. Little children do not have the necessary skills yet to handle a pet by themselves. When children are over the age of five, then you should decide whether or not they are mature enough to handle a kitten.
Never make the choice of giving your cat human medication. Go to a vet if there are problems, don’t self diagnose. If you give a pet something that it shouldn’t take, you could injure it or even kill it.
Think about the extra work before buying a long-haired cat. Even though that nice coat of beautiful silky fur looks great, it can leave a mess on your floors, furniture and clothing. Only choose a cat with long hair if you can clean up after it consistently. Not to mention cats that have long hair are more prone to getting issues with hairballs.
Preventing hairballs can help keep your cat sanitary and safe. Mix one teaspoon of pumpkin into your cat’s regular food. In addition to the pumpkin, try one teaspoon of water from a can of tuna. Your hairball concerns can also be addressed with specially-formulated cat food. Many blends include extra fiber to prevent hairball formation.
Keeping your cat up to date on vaccinations and annual check ups can keep your cat in good health and provide a longer life. Kids need shots, and so do cats. You have made your cat a family member, and you have to treat your cat accordingly.
If you have been at home with your cat for an extended period and then return to work, it is quite possible that your cat will show signs of loneliness. One tried-and-true way to keep a cat from getting lonely is to pair it up with another cat.
One way to get a cat to use the litter box is to move it to a different place in the house. Cats perceive using the bathroom as an activity that makes them vulnerable, so moving the litter box to a less-trafficked area means your cat is more likely to use it. For example, your basement, laundry room or other room away from household activity should suffice.
Make sure that your cat is eating dry food when possible. Kittens need wet food since they have tiny teeth. When adult teeth come in, the harder foods maintain the strength of their teeth. Dry and wet food can be mixed if you have a picky cat.
If you can, keep your cat inside and close to you. Indoor cats live longer than others allowed to walk around the neighborhood freely. Going outside may give your pet some exercise, but the risk of disease or injury outweighs that benefit.
Overfeeding your cat can dramatically affect its future health. Overeating can cause obesity in your cat, which can cause serious illness, similar to people. Watch your cat’s portions and make sure that you feed him a well-balanced diet.
Cats have a great sense of smell, which helps them easily grasp changes to their environment. For example, your cat will instantly detect a new scratching post, bed, food dish, etc. Don’t get discouraged if you find that your cat is not interested in these things right away. They’ll get used to it given time.
Keep your cat indoors if you want to protect them from fleas and bugs. Indoor cats almost never get these ailments.
If your cat has frequent hairballs, and extra brushing hasn’t helped, here are some other tips that may help. Mix about a teaspoon full of pumpkin into your cats’ food. Flavor the pumpkin with a teaspoon of the water from a can of tuna. Find a cat food with some extra fibers or another anti-hairball ingredient to get rid of this problem.
You should reconsider a choice of providing table scraps to your cat. The additives in human foods and how we cook it isn’t good for felines. A bit of cooked meat or egg is a healthy treat your cat will enjoy. If you go by the feeding instructions that are on your cat’s food based on their weight and age, then they have a complete diet.
You need to take the cat for particular thighs, and it can get costly. Keep money in your pocket by ordering your medicine online. Some companies deliver right to your door. This is great for medicine like flea treatments and heart worm pills that your cat takes monthly.
Make sure to give your cat frequent flea medication. Most only need to be applied monthly. These medications can help keep away harmful parasites that will leech blood from your pet, causing diseases. It is important you use a flea or tick formula that is designed for cats. Using the wrong type can poison your cat.
Your cat needs a quality collar and a tag. Cats are very resourceful and like to try to escape whenever the chance presents itself. If your cat ever wanders off, a collar with an i.d. tag makes it more likely that someone will bring him home.
While you might think that a cat is the ideal holiday gift for your child, it’s simply too hectic of a time. Get a pet that truly suits your family by bringing your children along for the selection process.
Some cat owners swear by the frequent bathing of their cats. However, many owners don’t realize that this is often not necessary. Cats actually groom themselves quite often, using their tongues which are barbed to remove debris and dirt from their fur. Cats are really picky about how they look.
If the weather is bad outside, don’t let your cat out. Bad weather includes times of extreme wind, cold and rain. Your cat could panic in such weather and put itself in danger. If they are left out, they may stay permanently gone after the weather is clear.
Do not allow your cat to swat at people or bite their feet. Although most people consider such behavior charming, it’s actually the sign of a poorly-trained, misbehaving cat. Teach them it’s wrong as a kitten to keep this from happening later on.
When you decide that you want a cat, it is a fantastic decision. They can be comforting and relieve a lot of stress. But, you must understand proper cat care in order to have a happy animal. Be sure to build a healthy relationship by using the above advice.
You should always provide your cat with fresh water at all times. While you may think that your cat doesn’t drink lots of water during the day, it still needs fresh water so that it can be safe when it’s drinking it. Clean the dish every day, and make sure it remains accessible for the cat.