Cats are fabulous animals. A blend of inquisitiveness, autonomy, and intelligence creates a charming companion. You do have to take great care of your pet, though. Get some advice here on how to care for your cat in a productive and affordable way, making his life better overall.
Part of caring for your cat is taking it to regular veterinarian checkups. They should go in for a routine check-up at least once a year, possibly more if they need important shots. Cats should see a vet right away if any health problems or injuries needing treatment occur.
If you have an outdoor cat, make sure he is fitted with a tag and collar. Cats can go far from home and without a tag they could become lost forever. Be sure that the pet’s name and also your home number are on the tag.
Prevent your cat from getting zapped by coating exposed wires with bitter apple. Keep your cords covered if you feel like your cat is hellbent on chewing them. Tuck loose cords into old toilet paper or paper towel rolls. Cats are drawn to wires and cords, so you should keep them out of sight and out of mind if they are not being used.
Scratching Post
Your cat can devastate your furniture with its claws. Purchase a scratching post to stop your cat from destroying your home. Redirect your cat to the scratching post when they start to go after your furniture. Catnip can be put in the posts or on the tower to help train the cat to use it. It might not happen overnight, but the problem should eventually stop.
Consider having your cat fitted with a microchip. Indoor cats can slip out an open door. A collar with tags increases your chances of getting your cat back if it gets lost but it can also be a risk, for instance if it gets snagged in some branches. Microchips are very small, approximately as large as a single grain of rice. Although they are small, they can hold your entire contact information. Almost every vet and shelter has a scanner these days, and they can retrieve your contact information should they find your pet.
Cats are nocturnal animals. Do not be surprised if your cat is very active at night. If your cat is keeping you up at night, you should close the door to your bedroom. This can keep them from waking you up at night and from pouncing on feet under the blankets.
Male cats may develop crystals in the urine, which usually occur as a result of a poor diet. The cat is in pain passing the crystals, and the correction for this is costly. Look for foods that are low in magnesium for your cat. Just as in the grocery store, take the time to read the labels. Poultry products are typically lower in magnesium than fish products.
Avoid leaving a kitten alone with small children. A child less than five years old should not be left alone with a small pet. Most of them simply aren’t mature enough to grasp the concept of danger to themselves or the animal. As kids age, you can then determine whether they are mature enough for small pets.
Cats enjoy heights. Your cat will appreciate being on top of a cupboard, fridge or anywhere they can surrey their environment. If you do not want cats making a mess in your house, remove breakable items from your shelves. You can even lay down a blanket to give your kitty some comfort.
To help avoid a finicky cat, feed your cat different brands of cat food. If they start eating just one type of food without variation, they are sure to grow finicky.
Splurge on your cat’s food. Scrutinize the ingredients closely, and make sure that quality protein sources like chicken, fish and beef are first on the list. If the food uses fillers like corn and other things that are not protein, that’s not a sign of the good nutrition a cat needs. This type of food should be avoided. The main part of a cat’s diet should be meat protein, so his cat food should be mostly real meat.
As you can now see, a cat can be the best pet you’ve ever had. Study the tips in this article very carefully. Use these tips to ensure your cat is healthy and happy.