Top Tips For Having A Healthy And Happy Kitty
There is a lot that goes into owning a cat. Cats aren’t groomed in the same way that dogs or other pets are groomed. You need to brush them, but not bathe them often. Keep reading for some useful cat grooming tips.
Don’t leave drape cords near your cats. Do not allow your cat to play with these. The cords may be looped and a cat may get them wound around their neck. This could seriously injure or even kill them. Make sure that the cords are completely out of sight.
Don’t let your cats play with drape cords. Whenever cats jump on these cords, they might get tangled up in them. This could even choke them to death. All drape cords should be fastened and kept away from any harm that might come to the cats.
If you want to add a cat to your family, go to the shelter first to see what is available. Shelters are filled with beautiful cats, and the fee for adoption will basically cover the needed vet care. Rescuing a cat can end up making a big difference in both of your lives.
If you plan on getting a cat for a pet, try looking into a local shelter. Shelters always have plenty of cats available and adoption fees are usually very affordable. You’re literally saving their life.
Grooming is an essential part of your cat’s care. You can regularly brush or comb your cat. If you do this often, their coat will stay clean. It’s also helpful in reducing how much cats shed and how often they spit out those dreaded hairballs. A well-groomed feline looks great on their own, but also helps keep a home well-groomed too.
Have your cat chipped so you can find him if he runs away. Even an indoor cat could someday jump through an open window. 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 as small as a rice grain and have all of your important contact information. Every shelter and most veterinarian offices have microchip scanners that can read the chips, and best of all, they chips can’t be lost.
Do not allow your cat to get an electrical shock. Spray them with bitter apple, and they will stay away. If your cat still insists on chewing your cords, try to cover as many of them as possible. If you have loose electrical cords, you can bundle them up and stow them away in a cardboard tube (think toilet paper or paper towel rolls). All thin cords should be put up when you’re not using them.
Do not allow your cat to stay bored all of the time. Just like dogs, cats need playtime and physical exercise, too. Sometimes, cat owners don’t realize this. Bored cats tend to develop emotional and mental disorders that may negatively impact their health. Give them room to play and a large number of toys. If you have an indoor cat, provide a kitty gym for them to climb on or a scratching post.
Cats sometimes will spend hours grooming themselves to perfection. Long hair encourages hairballs. If your cat needs assistance with this problem, consider a special diet. Some cat foods are specially formulated to help reduce hairballs, which is good for both you and your pet.
The litter box for your cat needs to be in a good location. Try to keep it away from areas of household traffic and away from your cat’s eating areas. Choose an area that is well-ventilated to avoid bad smells. Your cat will certainly appreciate your efforts, and you will too!
Be sure you think about your cat’s ears when traveling. 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.
Make sure that you never neglect your cat. Cats are by nature companion animals, but that companionship goes two ways. Without love, cats may not socialize with your family. They want to know they are a valuable part of the family too.
If you’re getting a kitten for your children, discuss this with them before bringing the cat home. Tell your kids which rooms the cat is allowed in. Make sure that your children know if the cat is strictly an indoor cat. Clearly explaining the rules will limit future mishaps.
Male cats often develop crystals in their bladder that come out in their urine. This can be prevented with a proper diet. A cat passing the crystals can be very hurtful with an expensive vet bill to boot. Keep your cat’s diet low in levels of magnesium. Just as in the grocery store, take the time to read the labels. Fish usually has more magnesium than poultry.
Speak to other people if you’re having cat troubles. Though you want to handle problems on your own, you may require advice from others who own cats. There are many online forums that discuss cats. Most vets will also be happy to help you with some advice.
Be especially mindful of your cat’s ears when you take them on a trip. You may enjoy it, but it could be hurting your cat’s ears. Keep your music off, and talk to your cat instead.
If your cats create messes near the litter box, don’t punish them. It might be happening because you aren’t caring for the box good enough. The cat will be fearful of you if you punish it.
If your cat constantly meows, you need to try to figure out why. Over time, you will pick up on the reasons why your cat is making this gesture. They may want outside or may be hungry. Watch their cues to learn more about them.
Feeding your cat the proper canned food is ideal. It is usually more expensive than dry food, but it is more beneficial. Canned food generally provides more nutrients, protein and fat as well as liquids. This food is easier to chew for old cat. Talk to your vet, but canned food is generally superior for your cat.
Speak to others about your cat problems. It is possible to work out the problem yourself, but help from others can be invaluable. There are many online cat forums that will help you get questions answered. You could also try asking your vet.
Make sure you consider where you are going to place the cat’s litter box. Many cat owners feel inclined to hide the litter box. However, it’s important to make sure your cat can easily access its litter box. A finicky cat may not use the litter box if the environment is very inconvenient. Put a rug under it for cleanliness, too.
Reduce the chances of raising a finicky cat by feeding them several brands of food while they are young. Keeping the same kind of food around most of the time makes it to where they only want that specific food.
When your cat is due to deliver babies, ensure that she has a comfortable area with some space. Giving birth to all the kittens can take hours, so you shouldn’t expect things to be over and done with quickly. 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.
Canned food is usually the best option for your cat. Although it is usually more expensive, canned food offers real nutritional advantages. Canned food will give your cat more water, fat and protein. Canned food is much easier to chew for older cats. Can food is generally better, but consult your vet first before feeding it to your cat.
You should not let your de-clawed cat outdoors. An outdoor cat who has been declawed cannot defend itself as well without claws; therefore, you are putting your cat in extreme danger. The only place for a declawed cat is inside, with you. It is still best to just remove the front claws. Don’t cut the back claws because they won’t scratch up your furniture or floors.
Good care will keep your cat happy and healthy. You control how healthy your cat looks and feels. It is likely that your cat will appreciate the efforts you have made to provide good grooming. Take the advice given in this article to keep your cat looking healthy and well-groomed.
Do not give cat medications intended for humans. Some people incorrectly give cats human medications thinking it will be okay in small doses, but it can kill him or her. If your pet has any issues, take them to a vet for proper pet medication. When you make the mistake of giving any type of human medication to your cat, it can kill them or cause them some other type of grave medical misfortune.
