If you understand good cat care, you will have yourself a wonderful pet. It pays to learn all you can about proper cat care. Read these tips to be the best cat owner you can be.
Take your cat to the vet regularly to make sure they remain in good health. Cats should go to a vet at least once each year for a check up, and more frequently for required shots. When the cat seems to be acting abnormally, take it to the vet immediately.
Try to avoid your cat from becoming bored each day. Cats need stimulation. This is sadly overlooked by some cat owners. Bored cats tend to develop emotional and mental disorders that may negatively impact their health. Give them toys they can play with, play with them yourself, or at the least give them room to exercise. Provide them with an indoor climbing area or scratching post.
Use quality food to prevent crystals from forming in a cat’s urine. These crystals can cause your cat pain to pass, and your vet bill can be expensive. Keep your cat’s diet low in levels of magnesium. Be sure to read the ingredient label. Cat food with lots of fish tends to have more magnesium, while products with lots of poultry tend to have less.
If your thinking about allowing your cat to go outside, you may want to reconsider. Going outdoors isn’t very safe for a domesticated cat. Your cat may get fleas or something even worse than that. Cats can also be hunted by other animals, stolen or hit by passing vehicles. If you still insist your cat be able to go outside, then do so in the fenced backyard.
Cats enjoy heights. A happy cat is one that has a safe living environment. If a cat tree is not in your future, providing a stable shelving unit with no small items on it will do very well. The cat will especially enjoy it if you put a blanket on top.
Cat Owners
Speak with other cat owners about any issues you may be having. You may wish to deal with it alone, but you may need advice from other cat owners. The Internet has many cat forums where you can ask your questions, or simply speak with your vet.
Don’t try to show your feline how to go in the litter box. This is not something that needs to be taught. In fact, it comes naturally for them. Many people think rubbing a cat’s paws in litter will teach them to use the litter box, but it might actually traumatize them.
Scratching Post
Don’t throw away your cat’s old scratching post. It may not look as nice, but cats love a scratching post with some wear and tear. Even if you throw it away and buy a new one, your cat may opt for tearing up your upholstery instead.
Give high quality canned food to your pet cat. Although dry food is usually less expensive, canned food is better for your cat. Your cat will get extra protein and fats from canned food along with some of the water it needs every day. As a cat ages, it has a harder time chewing. Discuss this with your vet, who may tell you to feed your cat canned food.
If you just own one cat but are considering obtaining another one, then you should ensure you allow a few weeks for your old cat and new one to become familiar with each other. In the early days, you may see a lot of posturing from the cats including hissing and swatting at each other. Eventually they will grow accustomed to it and start tolerating or even enjoying each other’s company.
Cat Urinates
If a cat urinates often or in odd places, it should probably go see the vet. A change in where or how a cat urinates can signal a UTI or other health problem. Affordable antibiotics can quickly resolve the problem.
Stay current on your cat’s exams and vaccinations. Cats need to have vaccines and check-ups just like children. This can help to prevent diseases. Your kitty is a member of your family, so you need to treat him like one.
You should never let your cat use meds that were designed for people. The vet is the only one who should do the prescribing – not you. Giving cats human medications can cause serious problems and may even be fatal.
Feed dry food to your cat. Kittens need wet food more than adult cats because it’s easier to chew. However, dry food is better for adult cat teeth. If your kitty is especially finicky, you can try feeding him a mix of dry and wet food.
Before you are tempted to give your feline bits of food from your table, think about how it may affect his health. The way human food is cooked and the ingredients involved makes for it not being a good choice for your cat. Egg, chicken, beef or fish are good options for a cat. Abiding by feeding instructions for your cat’s weight and age completes the diet.
Cats can be wonderful animals to keep as pets, but you need to properly care for them. Cat owners should read this article and use all of its great tips. Through your efforts, love, and time, your cat can have a healthy and fulfilling life.