There are usually obstacles that arise when you first buy a cat. Learning about cats can help make your time together more productive. However, it is impossible to anticipate every problem that can arise when you bring home a frisky feline. The best thing to do is to read this article, but be ready for anything.
Make sure your cat is regularly visiting the vet for checkups. Cats need special shots to keep them from getting sick, and the veterinarian will check your cats overall health. Do your best to keep the same vet for your pet’s entire life. This also allows the vet to become more familiar with your cat’s unique health needs and personality.
Use bitter apple on your electric cords to keep your kitty away from them. If your cat still insists on chewing your cords, try to cover as many of them as possible. Hide those loose cords and keep them out of sight in no longer needed paper towel rolls. Electronic items with tasty-looking, thin cords (video game controllers, phone chargers, and so on) should be stored securely when you’re not using them.
Your home furnishings can fall victim to your cat’s sharp claws. If your kitty is doing this, one way to redirect his behavior is to purchase a scratching post or cat tower. Entice them to scratch those items rather than your belongings. It may take some time, but will be worth the effort and expense.
Don’t let your cat get frequently bored. Cats need to exercise and play. Unfortunately, many owners do not realize this important part of ownership. A bored cat may fall victim to depression, compulsive disorders or issued that can be harmful to their health. 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.
Give your cat lots of attention and love. Think of all the friendship and comfort cats provide to us. Like humans, a cat has to be around people in order to feel special. They want to feel like a valuable, happy family member, too.
Your cat has sensitive ears, especially in the car when they’re stressed out. You may prefer loud music as you drive down the freeway, blasting your stereo, but your feline friend likes softer sounds better. So, keep your volume down, or turn it off to give your cat a better travel experience.
Make a tablecloth for your cats. Some cats like removing food from their bowl and eating it beside their bowl. That means you will have to tidy up the food left beside the cat bowl. Put a placemat under the bowl, or even some fabric so cleaning up is a snap.
If you’re getting a kitten for your children, discuss this with them before bringing the cat home. Let your kids know where the cat can go. If your cat is going to be one that stays inside, let the kids know that it’s not allowed outside. Knowing the rules ahead will help your child understand.
Do you own both a dog and a cat? Dogs often take advantage of dining on the cat’s food. For this reason, you need to place your cat’s bowl in an area that is to high for a dog to reach. This can also prevent unnecessary arguments between your pets over the water supply, once the food has been consumed.
Take care if you leave a kitten with youngsters. Particularly if the children are younger than five, they need supervision. They are just not mature enough to understand the danger they can pose for the kitten. Once the child is older and more mature, decide if they are ready for the responsibility of handling animals.
Don’t try to show your feline how to go in the litter box. This is something that comes naturally and is not learned. A common misconception is to rub your cats paws into the kitty litter however this isn’t a good idea.
Carriers are great devices for you to have as a cat owner. The same response to punishment that you would expect from a dog does not apply to a cat. Cats are much more responsive to positive interaction rather than negative. Give your cat a treat every time it does something well. The cat will enter it on its own. It will then be easier to transport the cat in the carrier.
Make sure that you play with your cat as often as possible. All mammals love to play. While older cats have less energy than their younger counterparts, they can still play a little. Playing with your cat will help you to form happy and cherished memories to look back on.
Sometimes, foods are healthy for humans but not for cats. Grapes, onions and garlic are a few of the food items. Even a little taste of these foods can make your cat seriously sick. Refrain from feeding your cat dairy products as well.
Never allow your cat to be exposed to phenol chemicals. This type of chemical can be found in Pine-Sol, Lysol, and other types of cleaners. The smell from this chemical is disliked by cats. Also, when exposed to phenol for too long, it can cause issues with their liver.
Cats have a great sense of smell, which helps them easily grasp changes to their environment. When you give them a new toy, bed, food or scratching post, this can be an issue. Do not be concerned if your cat does not accept these new items immediately. As the item takes assimilates the smell of his home, it will become acceptable to your cat.
Put tape on your furnishings. This type of tape helps prevent your cat from scratching your furniture if it does this constantly. Your local pet store may carry tape for this. By booby-trapping your furniture and putting up a scratching post, your cat will get out of the habit in no time.
The tips contained here are great for any cat. You also need to get to know your cat better so you can adapt to its needs and habits. More important than anything else is to enjoy every precious moment with you new little kitten.