Cats are one of the most popular household pets for many different reasons. They are very entertaining, and they are experts at keeping your home free from rodents, bugs and other pests. Cats are generally really good about keeping pests out of a house but people sometimes don’t recognize how well they can hunt.
Check out the shelter when adopting a cat. Shelters usually have many cats who need a home, and the fees typically include their shots and spaying or neutering. Adopting your cat at a shelter allows you to save a cat’s life while also helping mitigate overpopulation.
Microchip your cat. Even a house cat may end up lost outside, no matter how careful you are. Tags and collars are great, but if a cat escapes them, there’s no guaranteeing they’ll make it home safe and sound. A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and can hold all of your contact information. Most vets and all shelters can scan these chips to get your contact information and there is no risk of losing the chip.
While usually cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Make sure that you teach your children the proper way to handle a kitten or cat. Show them what activities are appropriate and how to pick them up. Feline bones are weaker than those of many other pets, so they must be handled with care.
Why is your cat meowing? When your cat is a member of the family, their sounds start to become familiar to you. This makes it easy to determine what various meows might mean. The cat may want something to eat or to get let out. Getting to know your cats cues will help you to interpret her meows.
You must take caution when leaving your cat with any children. A child under five should not be left alone with a pet. Most of them simply aren’t mature enough to grasp the concept of danger to themselves or the animal. As your children get older, you can decide when to teach them about handling a pet.
Do not discipline your cat if it makes a mess outside its litter box. Check out the box instead and see if it has been neglected; this is often a cause of accidents. Your cat will become afraid of you if you punish it or scold it too often.
Don’t get rid of an old scratching post. This is the time when your cats actually most prefer it. Even if you throw it away and buy a new one, your cat may opt for tearing up your upholstery instead.
Purchase a drinking fountain for your cat. Most cats will prefer drinking water that is running over drinking water in a bowl. Normally, cats much prefer water that comes out in a stream. You have perhaps noticed that your cat enjoys drinking from the running sink. A fountain will allow your cat to drink like he or she is in the wild.
As soon as you adopt your cat, fit him with identification tags attached to a collar. This is essential even for indoor cats. Cats tend to be curious and open doors and windows can be inviting. The tag your cat wears should display your number and your veterinarian’s information. This is also essential if they have specific medical needs.
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. They might hide from each other or hit each other. Eventually they will grow accustomed to it and start tolerating or even enjoying each other’s company.
Pay attention if your cat suddenly stops using the litter box properly. It may be the sign of an underlying medical issue. Sometimes, abnormal urination habits indicate an infection of the urinary tract. Some inexpensive antibiotics can clear up a potentially dangerous illness.
Cats are great mousers. Cats are effective mouse-hunters, but they are also cunning and inquisitive. This makes them fascinating pets. These skills are one of the many reason cats make such wonderful pets.