When they take in a cat for the first time, many families run into challenges they never considered beforehand. Never make the mistake of getting a cat without doing some research and planning first. Of course, it’s impossible to avoid each and every little bump in the road during pet ownership. This will ensure you know all you can for a great relationship.
A cat’s claws can cause lots of damage to your home. If you have a cat that is wreaking havoc, buy a scratching post. Place this device into an area that your cat frequents, and attempt to get your cat to scratch it rather than the furniture. They may not take to it overnight, but they should eventually.
Cats spend lots of time grooming themselves. If your kitty is a long-haired breed, the result of this might be hairballs. To help your cat out with this problem, try buying him special food. There are foods that are made to reduce the frequency of hairballs. It’s a smart move for your cat and your sanity.
When getting a little kitty for your kid, set boundaries beforehand. Let your children know which areas of the house are off-limits for the cat. If you want your cat to stay indoors, then the children must understand the seriousness of never letting it out. Make sure your children understand the rules from the get go.
Do you own both a dog and a cat? A dog will probably end up eating the cat’s food if it gets the chance. You should create a feeding space for the cat that is much too high for a dog to get to. This can also prevent unnecessary arguments between your pets over the water supply, once the food has been consumed.
Never punish the cat if he or she causes a mess outside the litter box. Most of the time when this happens, it is because you are not taking proper care of the box. If your punish your car, he or she is just going to become scared of you.
You should install a small drinking fountain for your cat. This will make things more comfortable and homey for your cat. Cats usually like to drink from a water stream. Actually, you will see many cats prefer running tap water from the sink instead of the water bowl. Drinking fountains are more environmentally-friendly and they let your cat drink naturally.
When you bring a second cat into your home, allow a few weeks for the two to adjust to each other. Do not expect an instant friendship. Instead, look for them to hide frequently, hiss and possibly even become physical with each other. Eventually, they become used to each other and are comfortable together.
It’s important that cats get play time. Of course, all mammals like to play, regardless of age or species. Kitties who are senior citizens may not be super energetic, but they still enjoy playing. Take the time to play and have a little fun with your kitty.
Litter Box
If kitty won’t use the litter box, try moving it. Cats feel vulnerable when relieving themselves, so make sure the litter box is in a secluded spot. A basement or laundry area might be a good option.
Some food you eat isn’t good to feed your cat. In part, these include garlic, onions and grapes. These foods will cause indigestion or much worse for your cat. Dairy, including milk, is also not a good thing to give your cat.
Don’t use chemicals near your cat that have phenol. This chemical is present in many household cleaners, such as Pine-Sol and Lysol. Cats hate the smell of phenol, and for good reason. Long term exposure to it can cause cats to have live issues.
Keep cats inside as much as you can, or at least close to you or your home. Cats that stay indoors tend to live a lot longer because they’re not exposed to the elements outside of the home. If you want to give your indoor cat some outdoor time, exercise with them. That way, your cat gets some fresh air, sunshine and outdoor scenery without the risks of free-roamers.
Don’t ever let your declawed cat outdoors. It can’t defend itself with no claws. An indoor cat can be declawed. Even then, you should only have the front claws removed. Keep the back claws intact, since they can’t do damage to your furnishings and flooring.
Don’t give a cat medicine that is intended for humans. Some people incorrectly give cats human medications thinking it will be okay in small doses, but it can kill him or her. If your pet has any issues, take them to a vet for proper pet medication. Giving your cat your medication can actually cause your pet serious harm.
Panting is not a normal response for a cat. Understand that dogs panting is normal; however, this is not the case for cats. Cats often pant when they are anxious or overheated, but this may also signal a more serious issue. If your cat is panting, and has a history of breathing problems, call your vet for advice.
Place a sticky style tape on your furniture. A little strategically-applied tape can discourage your cat from tearing upholstery and scratching furniture. You can even get this kind of a tape from a pet store. You should also provide your cat with a scratching post or a tower it can use instead of your furniture.
These tips can work on cats of all breeds and ages. The concepts you just went over are the basics and can help you to raise a cat so that it’s a happy and healthy animal the rest of its life. If you’re not having fun after you adopt a cat, there is a serious problem.
