Cats are an integral part of any household. They bring warmth and a sense of happiness to the house. Happy, healthy cats can make life complete. If you’ve spent any amount of time browsing the Internet, you probably know that cats aren’t always that agreeable. Have a better time living with your cat through these tips.
Contact local shelters if you want to adopt a cat. They have tons of amazing cats who desperately need a home. Adopting your cat at a shelter allows you to save a cat’s life while also helping mitigate overpopulation.
Cats really enjoy squeezing into any and all small spaces. If they have a collar on, this might prove to be a safety risk if they happen to get stuck. Put a breakaway collar on instead. This kind of collar can turn a potentially-dangerous situation into a merely exasperating one.
You should make sure your cat stays groomed properly. Cats need to be combed or brushed regularly. Doing this frequently can help them keep their coat clean. Doing this will also help alleviate hairballs and excessive shedding. Keeping a cat groomed properly can help them and your home look great.
Prevent your cat from getting zapped by coating exposed wires with bitter apple. You can also cover your cords under a rug or tape them to walls. You can bundle loose cords together and place them inside paper towel rolls. Put away electronics that have tempting, thin cords when you’re not using them.
Make sure your cat is regularly visiting the vet for checkups. There are shots and vaccinations that are standard and necessary for your cat. Try to stick with one vet during the life of your pet. They’ll understand what your cat has been through.
Get a microchip for your cat. Your pet may be an indoor cat, but that doesn’t mean it’ll never dash through your door or slide outside via an open window. Even if you put a collar or tag on your cat, be careful as they can wiggle out of these very easily and can be dangerous if they get caught on a foreign object like a tree branch. Microchips are extremely small, but they can hold all the same information as an identification tag. Most shelters have a scanner that can pick up the facts located inside the chip.
Take your cat to the vet regularly to make sure they remain in good health. Cats need routine shots and wellness checks just like people. Cats need to be seen by a vet right away if there are injuries or health problems that don’t go away.
Cats are usually more active during the night. This refers to the fact that they are usually more active at night. If you are having a hard time sleeping because of your cats, close the door. This should help them from waking you during the night, pouncing on your feet under the covers.
Think about getting a microchip for your feline friend. Even though a cat may live inside, you never know if it will run out the door to escape. Tags and collars are great, but if a cat escapes them, there’s no guaranteeing they’ll make it home safe and sound. A teeny microchip can hold your contact information. Most vets and animal shelters will have a microchip scanner and because it’s under the animal’s skin it can never become lost.
You can sometimes find better prices for cat medication online than getting it from your veterinarian. There may be some cases in which you cannot buy online, such as in an emergency. For ongoing medical issues, you can buy ahead and save a substantial amount of money online.
The litter box for your cat needs to be positioned in the right place. Try and put it in an isolated area away from the cat bowl. To help control odors place the litter box in a well ventilated area. Your cat and you will appreciate it.
Be considerate of your cat’s preferences while traveling. They don’t want to hear you singing at the top of your lungs. To ensure your cat’s trip is pleasant, turn off the music or keep the volume low.
Male felines tend to get crystals in the urine that can be prevented with proper diet. It can be painful to pass these crystals and your vet bill will be priced accordingly. Your cat needs food low in magnesium. Just as in the grocery store, take the time to read the labels. Avoid fish products.
You shouldn’t leave a young cat with children unattended. Up until your child is five, children shouldn’t be alone with your pet. Small children don’t have the mental capacity to understand that certain activities are dangerous to the kitten. As a kid ages, they can show maturity with handling a little pet.
Cover the area around your cat’s bowl with a cloth. Cats often take food from their bowls to eat on the side. This can really make a mess, and you might have to spend significant time cleaning around your cat’s food bowl. There are two ways to do this. You can either put a placemat under the food bowl or use some stray fabric that you have lying around. Either way, you can easily get rid of debris by dumping them in the garbage.
Discuss any issues you have with your pet with others. Although you may feel like you don’t need help, other owners may be able to give you good advice. There are also forums on the Internet which cater to cat parents.
Don’t teach the basics of using a litter box. Using the litter box is instinctual for cats, and they require no training. A common misconception is to rub your cats paws into the kitty litter however this isn’t a good idea.
Litter Box
Brush your cat often. This will spread all of their natural oils around and help their blood flow. It also gets rid of shedding hair. This helps to stop hairballs and their associated medical problems.
You cannot teach a cat to use a litter box. This skill is something your cats pick up on their own, not something that can be taught to them. Some individuals believe they should carry their cat to the litter box and rub paws into the litter. This actually can be quite traumatic for a cat.
Do not discipline your cat if it makes a mess outside its litter box. Often, this happens when the litter box is dirty. If your punish your car, he or she is just going to become scared of you.
Feeding your cat different types of food helps ensure they don’t get finicky. When you give the same thing day after day, it becomes boring.
Don’t scrimp when it comes to your pet’s food. Ensure that the food your cat eats is very high in protein. Try avoiding foods that have non-protein elements like corn. Cats are naturally carnivorous. If you want to keep them healthy and happy, you need to feed them plenty of animal protein.
Don’t toss an older scratching post just because it looks worn. Your cat will enjoy the post most when it has been well used. Removing the post could cause your cat to look for something else scratch, possibly damaging your furniture.
Feeding your cat the proper canned food is ideal. Dry food is less expensive, but canned food provides more 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. Speak with your vet, however generally speaking, canned cat food is better for your cat.
Your cat deserves a high quality food. Look at the ingredients and make sure protein like fish, chicken, or beef is near the top. Don’t feed your cat food that includes corn or other fillers. Cats are carnivores so it is important for them to get enough animal protein in their diet.
Your cat needs to always wear some tags on a collar. Even if yours is an indoor cat, this is still an important safety measure. Cats are curious by nature, and an open window or door invites exploration. Tags should include contact information for you and your vet. This is also essential if they have specific medical needs.
Let your cat take its time when you add a new cat to your home. They might hide from each other or hit each other. However, if you allow them to slowly get used to each other, they will eventually become friends.
A long-haired cat comes with a great deal of extra care. While long, silky hair is beautiful on a cat, the same fur appears far less beautiful covering your floor, dark clothing, and furniture. Don’t get such a cat unless you are prepared for the extra commitment they take over regular cats. Additionally, consider that longer-haired cats are more likely to have issues with hairballs.
Pay attention if your cat suddenly stops using the litter box properly. It may be the sign of an underlying medical issue. This sort of behavior can be caused by urinary tract infections or other, more serious medical issues in your cat. A potentially serious illness may be able to be treated by inexpensive antibiotics.
Be aware whenever your cat suddenly quits using its litter box. This could be a side effect of a health problem. Kidney or bladder infections may be the reason. Ask your vet if your cat begins missing the litter box.
Take your cat for checkups and vaccinations on a regular basis to keep him healthy and strong. Immunizations can prevent your cat from attaining viruses or diseases. Your cat will be a part of your home and that means it should be treated as good as you would treat a family member.
If your feline friend is having kittens, make sure to give her lots of room to birth in. The birth process can last up to four hours, which means you must exercise patience. You should take your cat to the vet if deliveries lasts for more than five or six hours.
Caring for a cat can be a lot of work, but it’s absolutely worth it. No matter what type of cat you have, these tips will assist you in a more positive experience with your pet. You’ll better your relationship in no time.
Use a cat collar that gives name, address, and phone number info. Even if they’re an indoor cat, they may get out. If this happens, ensure there’s a way they can find home again.