Provided that you know how to properly care for them, cats make absolutely delightful pets. When you are a cat owner, you should educate yourself about the best tips for taking good care of your feline friend, and ensuring it has a great life. You’ll pick up more than a few great tips on caring for a cat in the article below.
Regular vet checkups for your cat are very important. Your cat should receive shots regularly to prevent health issues. It is best to always take your cat to the same veterinarian. This also allows the vet to become more familiar with your cat’s unique health needs and personality.
Cats love to squeeze into tiny spots. If they have to wear a collar then there may be a risk because your cat could end up getting stuck. A collar that is a breakaway model will detach itself if it gets pulled on. A collar like this could save your cat’s life.
Don’t use items on a cat that are meant for a dog. Cats can have strong negative reactions to a product that is formulated for a dog. Flea products for dogs are one of the worst products to give a cat. Dog products that are flea related can kill a cat. Make sure to separate your cat from your dog after spraying.
Electrical Cords
Spritz a little bitter apple on electrical cords to protect your cats. Cats who love to chew need to be kept away from cords. 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). 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.
It may prove quite a challenge to make your cat stay off counter tops. Cats instinctively want to be at a high vantage point so they can survey their surroundings. You may mitigate the problem by providing designated heights for them to use. A cat tower near your kitchen can give them a place to watch you that is out of the way.
Don’t let your cat get frequently bored. Just like dogs, cats need playtime and physical exercise, too. Sadly, this is overlooked by many cat owners. A bored cat runs the risk of developing depression and obsessive compulsive disorders that may harm them or something in your home. Give them time and space where they can exercise and toys they can play with. If your cats are kept inside, set up a carpet lined scratching pad or post. There are many climbing structures that can be purchased or made for cats who enjoy heights.
Most cats are nocturnal. Because of this, night time is when they are most active. One way to deal with a kitten’s playful activity at night is just to shut your door. This should help them from waking you during the night, pouncing on your feet under the covers.
Litter Box
Put your cats’ litter box where it is most acceptable to him. Place the litter box away from high traffic areas. Additionally, the litter box should be placed away from your cat’s food and water. Also make sure the area is well ventilated to keep the smell to a minimum. Your cat and you will prefer this in the end.
Your cat probably spends a lot of time grooming himself to perfection. If the cat has longer hair, it can be the cause of hairballs. If you’ve got a cat with this issue, get it special types of food. The are specially formulated cat foods that help reduce the instances of hairballs, which is not only good for your cat, but also good for you and your feet in the middle of the night.
Create a tablecloth that your cats can use. Some cats like removing food from their bowl and eating it beside their bowl. This means food spillage that you will have to clean later. Put a placemat under the bowl, or even some fabric so cleaning up is a snap.
Do you own a dog and a cat? Most dogs will not hesitate before munching on your cat’s food. Consider placing the cat food on a location away from where the dog can reach. This also makes sure that the two don’t fight over water.
Cats love being up high. To keep your cat healthy, provide your cat with a high place to sit. If a cat tree is not your style, clear off a sturdy shelf that he can jump up on. You can even lay down a blanket to give your kitty some comfort.
Feed your cat high-quality cat food. You should check the ingredients and make sure the food you give your cat includes a healthy source of protein, such as chicken, fish or beef. Don’t choose a food which is mainly corn. The main part of a cat’s diet should be meat protein, so his cat food should be mostly real meat.
If you wish to add another cat to your home, give it a couple weeks for your old cat and your new cat to grow accustomed to each other. In the beginning, they may not seem to get along at all. With enough time to acclimate themselves to the new arrangement, though, virtually any two cats will become willing, friendly, and perhaps even inseparable companions.
A cat can be a great pet, but you should know how to properly care for it. If you own a cat, feel free to read this piece over so you can absorb these great tips. With the right tender loving care you can ensure that your kitty enjoys a terrific, healthy life.