Many families find unexpected difficulties when they adopt their first cat. Never make the mistake of getting a cat without doing some research and planning first. Some problems come even with total preparation. The following tips can put you in the best position as a caretaker.
If you plan on getting a cat for a pet, try looking into a local shelter. Shelters have a lot of cats in them and you can get one adopted for a small fee. Besides, adopting a cat from an animal shelter means you are saving this cat’s life.
When your female cat is old enough, it’s vital to get her spayed. While your cat may be an indoor one, there is always the possibility it can get out and you wind up with kittens one day. You can prevent this by spaying or neutering your cat.
Spray bitter apple on electrical cords. If your cat happens to be a champion cord-chewer, you’ll need to use cord covers to protect your cords. If you have any loose cords around your home, try stuffing them into a used paper towel roll. Whenever you aren’t using any thin, electronic cords, you should store them away.
Cat’s claws can really put a dent in your furniture. If your beloved feline friend is shredding and damaging parts of your home, try investing in a cat tower or a scratching post. Give them some encouragement and let them know it is okay to scratch that. This will take some time but will be a valuable investment.
Litter Box
Put the litter box in an ideal location. 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, minimize the smell by making sure it is a well ventilated area. Your cat and you will appreciate it.
Keep smaller children away from pets as they are typically too aggressive. Tell them how to be gentle. Teach them about appropriate activities and how to gentle pick up the cat. Cats need to be protected, too. Their bones are much more susceptible than dogs.
Make a tablecloth that your cat can use. Certain cats prefer removing their food from their bowl and putting it on the side to eat it. This means food spillage that you will have to clean later. To simplify your clean up duties, place a ready made placemat under the dish or purchase some inexpensive fabric and use it like a tablecloth.
Is your home also the home of both a dog and cat? Dogs will eat a cat’s food any time they’re given the chance. You should create a feeding space for the cat that is much too high for a dog to get to. This also has the effect of stopping fights over the water before they start.
Take care if you leave a kitten with youngsters. If a child is under the age of five, you should not leave the pet alone with them. A child of that age doesn’t realize when they are being too rough with a pet. Once the child is older and more mature, decide if they are ready for the responsibility of handling animals.
Be sure to carrier train your cat. You have to take a different approach to training a cat rather than a dog. Instead, cats are more likely to respond to words of encouragement. Place a blanket or favorite toy inside the carrier to make your cat more acclimated to the carrier. Sooner or later, your cat will try out the appealing space and learn to be comfortable in it. A cat who is used to a carrier will not mind traveling, meaning it will be a much less stressful experience for them.
You cat will not be likely to be a finicky eater if you vary the type of food you are feeding from time to time. If you feed your cat the same food all the time, your cat will likely be uninterested any any other brand or flavor.
There is more care to consider with long-haired cats. While long, silky hair is beautiful on a cat, the same fur appears far less beautiful covering your floor, dark clothing, and furniture. Unless you are prepared to do more cleaning, don’t buy a long haired cat. Hair balls are also more prevalent in long haired cats.
Your cat’s choice to potty outside the litter box could signal something more worrisome than misbehavior. There are many health conditions that can cause your cat to use the restroom in places other than their own litter box. These conditions include kidney and bladder problems. Ask your vet if your cat begins missing the litter box.
Your food isn’t necessarily good for your cat. These include garlic, grapes, green tomatoes and onions. If your cat eats these things then it can become ill or even die. Milk can too. It can give your cat stomach pains.
Don’t ever let your declawed cat outdoors. Without claws, your cat is essentially defenseless against other animals. This is a dangerous situation for the cat. Indoor cats are the only ones that should ever be declawed. It is still best to just remove the front claws. A cat’s back claws are important to his balance.
Cats are really good at smelling, and that means they’re good at figuring out if something in their environment has changed. When you give them a new toy, bed, food or scratching post, this can be an issue. Don’t be upset if the cat does not take to these items immediately. As the new items starts to smell like your house, your cat may give it a try.
The tips given to you are great for all types of cats. These are key concepts you must know when raising a cat, but each person will make individual variations based on tastes and needs. Just remember to enjoy every minute with your adopted kitten no matter what.