Like people, cats require balanced diets with good nutrition. If your cat’s diet isn’t up to par, they may become overweight or malnourished. Continue reading to learn more about cat care.
Cat’s claws can really put a dent in your furniture. Buy your cat a scratching posts to focus its attention off your furniture. Put cat nip on it to attract them to it. It might take a little while, but eventually it should stop the problem.
Keeping your cat off of the counter can be difficult. Cats naturally love heights so they can easily see everyone and everything. You can try to combat this problem by designating some high-up places for your cat to hang out. Placing a cat tower by the kitchen can keep cats from getting on counters.
Pick a good spot for the cat’s litter box. Don’t put it where the cat can’t reach it or near their food. Additionally, don’t make the mistake of putting it in a poorly-ventilated area, or the smell will become overpowering. Your cat and you will appreciate it.
Your cat needs to be shown lots of love. Think of all the friendship and comfort cats provide to us. Like most folks, cats have the need to socialize to feel like part of the family. They want to feel like a valuable, happy family member, too.
Your cat most likely spends quite a bit of time grooming. In long-haired cats, hairballs can result from excess grooming. There is a special food on the market that does help out with hairball issues. There are foods that are made to reduce the frequency of hairballs. It’s a smart move for your cat and your sanity.
Reconsider having an outdoor cat. Letting your cat outside greatly increases his risk level. They can get fleas, feline AIDS or even leukemia. Cars, people, or animals could hurt your beloved pet. Let your cat go out in your backyard and play on your lawn.
Watch kittens around kids. If the child is younger than 5, don’t leave them alone with a kitten. A child of that age doesn’t realize when they are being too rough with a pet. As children grow, it will be easier to see if they’re mature enough to handle a cat.
Talk to others when you have a problem with your cat. It’s possible that you could solve the problem on your own, but why deny help from others? There are a number of message boards for cat owners on the Internet, or you can go to your vet with problems.
Use a brush on your cat regularly. This will spread a cat’s oils from their fur and help blood flow from within their skin. It also loosens hair that is about ready to fall out. Loose hair causes hairballs, a common problem for cats. The hair enters the pet’s stomach and they later cough it up.
You eat quality food, and if you want your cat to stick around a long time, they need quality food, too. Check out the ingredients, and make sure it includes protein, such as meat, as the first item in the list. Stay way from cat foods made of corn or any other ingredients that aren’t based in protein. Cats in the wild are meat eaters, and domestic cats need meat to ensure optimum health.
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. Don’t get such a cat unless you are prepared for the extra commitment they take over regular cats. More, and longer hair, usually means more hairballs too.
Is there cat hair everywhere? Cats shed considerably; therefore, it is very important you brush them frequently. If your cat sheds often, you will need to brush him more often. It’s also a great aid to keeping the cat’s coat as pristine as possible.
If you decide to declaw your cat, never allow it to go outside. The cat will be unable to defend itself against other cats or animals, risking injury or even death. Only indoor cats should be declawed. Even so, you will only want to get the claws up front removed. A cat’s back claws are important to his balance.
Cats have a great sense of smell, which helps them easily grasp changes to their environment. This can lead to issues when you introduce something new, such as a new toy, bed, or food dish. Don’t get frustrated if they don’t like these items right away. As the item takes assimilates the smell of his home, it will become acceptable to your cat.
If you have been at home with your cat for an extended period and then return to work, it is quite possible that your cat will show signs of loneliness. Therefore, in order to keep your cat happy and active, you need to consider obtaining another cat.
Keep your cat on a diet of dry food if at all possible. When cats are kittens they need wet food because their teeth are so small. Feeding your cat some dry food will help it grow strong teeth. For those cats who are picky eaters, a mixture of both dry and wet food usually does the trick.
Health Problems
Make sure your cat does not get more food than it needs to prevent health problems. Eating over the normal amount can cause them to develop serious health problems or become obese. Don’t overfeed your cat and ensure that his diet is healthy.
Never offer table scraps to your cat. Cats need special food of their own, which contain certain vital nutrients specifically beneficial to cats. To give a cat a real treat, offer a small amount of egg, beef or chicken you have cooked. But, simply by adhering to the weight and age recommendations on cat food packaging, you will ensure a proper diet.
A healthy diet is vital when it comes to your cat’s health. Eating too much of the wrong foods, or too little of the right foods can put your cat in terrible shape, and even cut their life span. Be sure to treat your cat well by giving it the right foods.