You will adore having a cat as a pet once you have the knowledge to care for it properly. Every owner should learn the ways to care for a cat. This article is going to provide you with smart advice about caring for your cat.
Cats often view small spaces as a fun challenge. Collars can be a safety risk if your kitty gets stuck. A collar that will breakaway is the best idea for safety. Using this collar will prevent your cat from injuring itself.
Deter cats from shocking themselves on electrical wires by spraying them with bitter apple. If your cat happens to be a champion cord-chewer, you’ll need to use cord covers to protect your cords. The tube from a used-up roll of paper towels makes an excellent shield for loose cords. Electronics with thin cords must be put out of reach when they aren’t being used.
Male cats may develop crystals in the urine, which usually occur as a result of a poor diet. This problem is painful for the cat and to your wallet, as well. Keep your cat’s diet low in levels of magnesium. This means you should pay attention to labels on food. Products that have fish in them have more magnesium usually when compared to products with poultry.
Keep smaller children away from pets as they are typically too aggressive. Show your kids the proper way to handle cats. Demonstrate the proper way to pick up a cat and what they can do with the cat. Cats have weaker bones than dogs and need more gentle treatment.
Do you own both a dog and a cat? Understand that dogs will usually eat cat’s food if they can. Therefore, your cat’s food bowl should be placed in a high location that is out of your dog’s reach. This will ensure they don’t fight over food or water, too.
Cats love high spots. Allow them the space they need to feel safe while checking their world out. You can use a cleared shelf if you’d rather not have a cat tree. Providing a blanket or bed for your cat is an extra treat for them.
If you notice your cat urinating more frequently or outside his litter box, then it might be time to see the vet. This may be a symptom of an infection of the urinary tract or another health problem in your cat. Some cheap antibiotics can get rid of some dangerous illnesses.
Litter Box
If you’re dealing with a cat that won’t use the litter box, you should place it somewhere else. A cat will be more inclined to use the litter box if it is placed in a quiet and safe area in your home. The best places are basements and laundry rooms.
Dogs wag their tails frequently when they are happy or excited to see their owners. Cats also exhibit this tail-wagging behavior, but the message is different. Tail wagging for a cat is more subtle and can indicate many different emotions. Sometimes a cat wags its tail when threatened or frightened. If your cat wags his tail while you’re holding him, putting him down keeps you safe.
The foods you eat might not be very healthy for your pet. Some of these include onions, grapes, garlic and green tomatoes. Even a little taste of these foods can make your cat seriously sick. Dairy, including milk, is also not a good thing to give your cat.
Cats’ powerful olfactory abilities mean that they can smell changes in their home. For example, your cat will instantly detect a new scratching post, bed, food dish, etc. Your cat may not initially appreciate a new pet. As the new items starts to smell like your house, your cat may give it a try.
Make sure that your cat is eating dry food when possible. Kittens need some wet food because they have very small teeth. As an adult, the harder texture of dry food keeps their teeth strong. If your cat happens to be a picky eater, mix up the dry food with wet food.
Sticky Tape
Apply sticky tape to your furniture. Cats will avoid scratching furniture if it is equipped with sticky tape. You can even get this kind of a tape from a pet store. You can put this tape on your furniture and get a scratching post to get your cat out of this habit.
Be on the lookout for any small holes in your home that you do not want your cat to crawl into. Cats are able to squeeze into tiny gaps. Kittens are especially good at it. Know this when bringing another cat into your home. Cover all large holes to prevent a hazard for your cat.
Try keeping your cat indoors. Outdoor cats are less friendly to humans and are more likely to catch diseases. These diseases are bad enough for the cats and they can also be passed along to humans. Let your cat rest in a room with a lot of light; this will help satisfy his or her outdoor needs.
Spaying or neutering your cat is usually the best decision you can make regarding his reproductive health. Cats are natural explorers and love to look around and check things out. Even a happy indoor cat will attempt to get outside. If your female cat is outside for even a little while, she may come home pregnant. Millions of wonderful cats die each year simply because of overpopulation.
Cats should never be left outside in very cold or poor weather. This extends to windy, cold and rainy conditions. They may look for places to hide, often under a warm car, dangerously near the engine. If they are left out, they may stay permanently gone after the weather is clear.
As long as you commit to giving it the proper care, a cat can be a terrific pet. Use what you learned here for a happy and healthy cat. Applying the insight learned in these tips will help to ensure that your pet has a happy life and provides wonderful companionship.