Top Tips Every Cat Parent Should Hear
Cats are some amazing little creatures. A blend of inquisitiveness, autonomy, and intelligence creates a charming companion. Caring for cats in proper ways, though, it not always that simple. You should go over this article to learn more about the different things you can do to take care of your cat.
Your furnishings and belongings can easily be ruined by a cat’s claws. If you are having problems with your cat clawing up furniture, then purchase a scratching post or kitty tower. Teach them to scratch on it instead of your belongings. It may take some time, but will be worth the effort and expense.
Cats love to squeeze into tiny spots. If they have a collar on, this can be dangerous. Breakaway collars are designed to release in these situations. This could help save your cat if it gets caught in a tight spot.
Cats are known for spending inordinate amounts of time grooming themselves. Long hair encourages hairballs. Buy your cat specialized food to prevent this problem. Certain cat foods are made just for decreasing hairballs, benefiting both your cat and yourself.
If you own a female cat, it’s crucial to spay it at the appropriate age. You may keep your cat inside, but she could still slip outside and become pregnant. If you want to prevent this, spay your cat.
Crystals in the urine, an issue many male cats have, can be avoided with the proper food. These crystals can cause a lot of pain to your cat and could end up costing you a lot in medical expenses. Feed your cat food that is low in magnesium. Check the ingredients list on the label. Products that contain fish are normally much higher in magnesium over ones containing poultry.
Be sure you have a vet that your cat sees regularly so it stays healthy. A yearly visit for a regular check-up is important, with more frequent visits for shots as required. If your cat has any health issues or injuries, you should try and have them seen right away.
Cats are great family pets, but small children might be too rough. Make sure your child knows how to pet a cat. Spend some time showing them how to lift a cat and how they can interact with the cat. Cats have more fragile bones than dogs so it is important to treat them with care.
Electrical Cords
Make a tablecloth that your cat can use. Sometimes cats prefer to remove food from their bowls and eat it from the floor. Sometimes, this results in food outside the bowl that you have to clean up. Think about putting a placemat underneath the bowl or make your own tablecloth out of fabric.
You can keep your cat away from electrical cords by spraying them with some bitter apple. If your cat plays with cords, put them up and out of the way, or you can hide them in old paper towel rolls. Bundle electrical cords together inside a tube. If you have electrical cords laying out that are not being used, put them away as cats can play with them and then move on to live electrical cords.
Are you the proud owner of both a cat and dog? A dog will probably end up eating the cat’s food if it gets the chance. Feed your pets in different areas of the house, and monitor them while they eat. This also has the effect of stopping fights over the water before they start.
Keep your cat active and entertained to avoid boredom. Cats require plenty of exercise. Sometimes, cat owners don’t realize this. Boredom can beget illness. Give them room to play and a large number of toys. Indoor cats will be happier if you provide them with climbing resources and practical things such as scratching posts.
When your cat makes a mess somewhere other than their litter box, don’t get mad. Usually, this sort of thing happens when the box isn’t being tended to properly. If the cat is punished for this, they may become afraid of being around you.
You should feed your cat food out of a can. Although dry food is usually less expensive, canned food is better for your cat. That’s because this type of food provides your cat with more protein, good fat and water. Aging cats find it makes it much easier to chew. Can food is generally better, but consult your vet first before feeding it to your cat.
Take time to train your cat to go into a car carrier. You cannot train a cat the same way you train a dog because they react differently to punishment. Encouragement is usually a much better option. Place a loved blanket and favorite toy into a carrier and then leave the door open. Make sure it’s in an area that the cat frequents. The cat will feel safe when it enters this carrier after a while. Transporting the carrier with your cat inside makes your next trip out much easier.
If your cat or kitten begins to urinate frequently or in places other than his litter box, a trip to the vet may be in order. Cats sometimes exhibit this type of behavior when they have a urinary tract infection or other health concern. Antibiotics will often do the trick if it is an infection.
Give your cat a wide array of foods in order to prevent pickiness. If they only eat the same food, they may never eat another food in the future.
Are you getting overwhelmed with all the cat hair in your home? Cats shed frequently; therefore, you need to brush them on a regular basis. When you see them shedding more than normal, that’s a great time to brush them. Frequent brushing or combing keeps the cat from getting a tangled, matted coat.
Keep you cat’s old scratching post even if it is beginning to look worn. This is the time when your cats actually most prefer it. By throwing away an old scratching post and replacing it with a newer one, your cat will likely look for older items to scratch, such as your furniture.
Litter Box
You should install a small drinking fountain for your cat. When cats are out in the wild they like to drink running water, and this is true in your home as well. Cats respond well to this stream of water. In fact, there are cats that enjoy drinking from a running sink instead of a bowl. A fountain will give them the same effect, and it is more environmentally friendly.
Pay attention if your cat won’t use their litter box. A common sign that a cat has a medical condition is failure to use the bathroom in the litter box. Some common issues are bladder and kidney problems. Call the vet if your cat refuses to use the litter box.
Make sure your cat has identification and a collar all the time. This is crucial even if the cat lives inside. The lure of an open door or window is very attractive to your curious cat. The tag should have your name and address and also your vet’s. This is also vital if your animal has health issues.
When your cat is close to giving birth, provide a spacious area for her. It can take several hours for the process to unfold and all kittens to be born, so be prepared to spend some time with your cat. If your cat has still not given birth to all her kittens after six hours, get her to a vet right away.
It may be time to take your cat to see the vet if it begins urinating more frequently and in places besides its litter box. This is likely to be something that should be looked after. Affordable antibiotics can quickly resolve the problem.
Never give your pet any drugs that were designed for use by humans. If your cat is sick, take it to the veterinarian and use the medication recommended. Drugs and medicines designed for human consumption can cause serious health problems for cats, and in extreme cases, can even be fatal.
You should think carefully before getting a long-haired cat. That lovely, silky coat won’t look nearly as good all over your floors as it does on the cat. You should not get a cat with long-hair unless you are ready to do a lot of cleaning. More, and longer hair, usually means more hairballs too.
If the cat has constant hairballs and brushing more isn’t helping, this may help. Give your cat’s regular food an addition of pumpkin (about a teaspoon’s worth). Another thing that works is a one teaspoon of the water that’s in a tuna can mixed with the pumpkin. It is also possible to get help from cat food varieties containing fiber and other ingredients.
If you are having problems getting the cat to use the litter box, move it. The best place for a litter box is in a secure, quiet area. Cats feel vulnerable when they’re using it, so they want it to be in a place where they feel safe. For example, your basement, laundry room or other room away from household activity should suffice.
Avoid overfeeding your cat, as that may lead to health concerns in the long-term. Overeating can cause obesity in your cat, which can cause serious illness, similar to people. Therefore, ensure you provide the proper food portions to your cat, and keep its diet healthy and well balanced.
Certain foods may be fine for you to eat daily, but not for your cat. These can include chocolate, grapes, onions and tomatoes. Allowing your cat to eat even a few bites may cause serious illness or even death. Milk is another food to stay away from.
Cats get sick from many of the same things as humans. You should be able to recognize when your cat does not feel well. If so, be sure and make an appointment with your vet. The veterinarian can rule out any serious conditions.
Phenol is a dangerous chemical to use around your cat. This chemical is often in Lysol and certain other regular household cleaners. Cats hate the smell of phenol and continuously exposing them to it could cause liver problems later in their lives.
Cats are neat animals. If you learn as much about them as possible, they also make great pets. Take the time to absorb the insights you have learned here. Use these tips to help your beloved cat enjoy a healthy and fulfilling life.
You should never medicate a cat with something that was meant for humans. The vet is the only one who should do the prescribing – not you. Pets that have taken human medications face serious injury or worse.
