What You Need To Know About Feline Care

The famous poet T.S. Eliot wrote on cats. Eliot said that a household will depend upon a cat. A cat that is healthy and well mannered can be a great addition to any home. Sadly, cats can be difficult to live with sometimes. Here’s some advice for building a healthier relationship with your pet.

Local rescue organizations are a great place to look for a new pet cat. There are so many great cats at shelters. The fee you will have to pay typically includes vet care. A cat gets a new chance at life and the cat population stays in check with adoption.

Cats are often nocturnal creatures. They are often active at nighttime. If your kittens are keeping you awake into the middle of the night, close the door to your bedroom. They should stay away from you at night and then they will not be able to jump on your feet.

Your cat needs to be groomed properly. Remember to brush your cat’s fur and comb it regularly. This will keep your cat’s coat clean. This will also reduce things like shedding and hairballs because it keeps them from having extra hair. Brushing your cat will keep your home cleaner, too.

Cats are generally great with kids, though small kids may be too rough. Make sure your kids understand how cats should be handled. Demonstrate how the cat should be petted and handled and encourage your children to be very gentle. Tell them that a cat’s bones need to be handled more gently than those of a dog.

Cats like sneaking into small spaces. Collars can be a safety risk if your kitty gets stuck. The advantage to a breakaway type collar is that if enough pressure is put on it, it will just let go rather than strangle the cat. This can save all “nine” of your cat’s lives.

A tablecloth for the feeding area can be quite useful. Cat’s will often remove food from their bowl to eat it. This can lead to a big clean-up. You can get a pet mat or use a piece of old fabric to put under it for easy cleanup.

A cat’s claws can do significant damage to your home and belongings. If your kitty is doing this, one way to redirect his behavior is to purchase a scratching post or cat tower. When your cat scratches inappropriately, redirect him to the scratching post. It might take a little while, but eventually it should stop the problem.

Do you have a cat and a dog? A dog may enjoy eating your cat’s food when he has the chance to do so. If you’re having a problem with this, make your cat’s eating area high enough that your dog cannot reach. This will ensure they don’t fight over food or water, too.

Cats are known for spending inordinate amounts of time grooming themselves. Your cat’s long hair can cause hair balls. If your cat needs assistance with this problem, consider a special diet. Certain cat foods are made just for decreasing hairballs, benefiting both your cat and yourself.

Brush your cat’s coat often. This helps spread out the cat’s natural oils in their fur and stimulates blood flow in the skin. It can also get rid of hair that is loose. This will help to eliminate hairballs, which build in your cat’s stomach and prevents it from grooming itself.

You must take caution when leaving your cat with any children. If a child is under the age of five, you should not leave the pet alone with them. 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.

It would be a good idea for your cat to get used to a pet carrier. Cats and dogs do not usually respond the same ways to punishment. They are much better with encouragement. 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. Your cat will start to venture into their carrier more often, until they are completely comfortable with it. It will then be easier to transport the cat in the carrier.

Brush your cat on a regular basis. This will help stimulate blood flow. It also loosens hair that is about ready to fall out. This avoids the hairball problem, which may lead to choking and a buildup of hair in the stomach.

If the cats scratching post is looking tired and worn out, never throw it away. This is the condition that cats like the most. By removing the old item and replacing it with a new one, your cat may try to find another item to scratch. This could end up being furniture.

Provide your cat with a drinking fountain. In the wild, cats prefer running water to drink from, and they do in the home as well. Cats seem to like a water stream better. In fact, some cats prefer running sink water to their own water bowls. This is a more natural way for them to drink.

Purchase a drinking fountain for your cat. Cats normally look to drink from running water. This is true in the wild or at home. They are more likely to get plenty of water when it is running. You have perhaps noticed that your cat enjoys drinking from the running sink. A fountain will allow your cat to have the happiness of drinking from running water.

Give your cat canned food. Dry food is usually cheaper, but canned food boasts a number of benefits. Canned food will give your cat more water, fat and protein. This food is easier to chew for old cat. Go ahead and talk to your vet, but canned food is favorable for cats.

Are you having a hard time getting rid of cat hair? You need to brush your cat regularly, especially if she sheds a lot. When you see them shedding more than normal, that’s a great time to brush them. Doing this will also make sure they don’t get a matted or tangled coat.

Frequent urination outside the litter box may indicate a visit to the vet is required. This could be a sign that your cat has a urinary infection or another health condition. Often this problem is quickly and inexpensively cured with a common antibiotic.

Litter Box

Cats need to play! Playing is a very common activity shared by most animals. While a senior cat probably won’t be very rambunctious, the right type of toy will get them interested. Have as much fun time with your cat as possible.

If your feline stops using a litter box, pay special attention. A common sign that a cat has a medical condition is failure to use the bathroom in the litter box. Infections and problems with the kidneys and bladder may be the culprit. Ask your vet if your cat begins missing the litter box.

If you want a cat with long hair, be prepared to put in extra time and care. That lovely, silky coat won’t look nearly as good all over your floors as it does on the cat. You should only get a long-haired cat if you are prepared for the extra grooming and cleaning. Long-haired cats usually suffer from hairball problems too.

While owning a cat isn’t always easy, the reward is great. No matter what type of cat you have, these tips will assist you in a more positive experience with your pet. Before long, you’ll be seeing positive changes in your cats.

There are certain human foods that you should never feed to cats. Examples include garlic, grapes, green tomatoes and onions. Your cat can get very sick from eating these foods. Milk upsets a cat’s stomach, too.