There are so many reasons to enjoy having a cat. It does take a lot of work to own a cat, though. If you own a cat, there are a number of things you should know about. This article has tips from the pros you can’t care for a cat without. Continue reading to learn some excellent approaches to caring for your feline friends.
Cats like to get into all sorts of small spaces. If they have a collar on, this can be dangerous. A breakaway style collar will literally “break away” if pulled too tight. This can keep your cat alive.
A heated tile for underneath your cat’s bed can provide real comfort. Just get a tile and heat it up in the oven for a while to place under the cat’s bed. Keep the temperature of the oven at 200 degrees. Wrap it up in a towel and place it under where your cat sleeps. Change every few hours if you like.
Female cats need to be spayed as soon as they reach the proper age. Even if she is an inside cat, you need to spay her because she could get out. Spray your cat so that this does not occur.
Your kitty’s litter box requires strategic placement. Don’t put it in a busy area, and keep it away from your cat’s food. Choose an area that is well-ventilated to avoid bad smells. Your cat will be more comfortable and you will too.
Your cat needs lots of affection and love. They usually offer us warm companionship, and they require the same. Like people, cats like to socialize and need to feel like they’re an essential part of your life. A cat can feel that he is a valuable, cherished part of their household.
Be careful as small kids may treat kittens too roughly. You need to show your children how the cat should be treated. The objective is to be as gentle as possible with your cat. Cats’ bones are more fragile than those of dogs, so they need gentler treatment.
Be cautious when leaving a kitten with children. If the child is younger than 5, don’t leave them alone with a kitten. Little children do not have the necessary skills yet to handle a pet by themselves. As they age, you can determine how much interaction they should have with the animal.
Talk to others when you have a problem with your cat. Other cat owners may have had experience with what you’re going through right now. Your vet is a great source of advice, or you can find forums on the Internet to connect with other cat owners.
Don’t teach the basics of using a litter box. This is a natural instinct that cannot be taught. Certain techniques, such as rubbing the paws of your cat in the litter could actual traumatize your cat.
Feeding your cat different types of food helps ensure they don’t get finicky. If you feed them only one type of food, they may refuse to eat anything else. However, stick with the same brand, and just vary the flavors because cats can have stomach problems if you vary the food too much.
Always make sure that your cat has on identification tags and a collar. Even an indoor pet should have this. Your cat will go out as soon as you leave a door or a window open. Those tags can help if someone finds your kitty. Make sure your info and your vets info is on it. This is also essential if they have specific medical needs.
It may be time to take your cat to see the vet if it begins urinating more frequently and in places besides its litter box. This may be a symptom of an infection of the urinary tract or another health problem in your cat. Inexpensive antibiotics generally clear this right up.
Litter Box
Carefully consider where you will locate your cats’ litter box. It is tempting to place it out of sight, in order to avoid the image of it or smells that go along with dirty litter. The litter box needs to be placed in a spot that your cat can reach very easily. Cats can be finicky, so it is important that you give them an environment they feel comfortable in. The area around the litter box should be comfortable and warm to walk on, so make adjustments as needed.
One way to get a cat to use the litter box is to move it to a different place in the house. Cats feel vulnerable when relieving themselves, so make sure the litter box is in a secluded spot. A basement, laundry room, or another area that doesn’t experience much household traffic is the ideal spot for the litter box.
Never make the choice of giving your cat human medication. If your cat is sick, take it to the veterinarian and use the medication recommended. Giving cats human medications can cause serious problems and may even be fatal.
If your schedule has changed recently, leaving your cat alone for long periods of time, you may find that your cat will seem lonely or lethargic. If your cat is going to be home alone often, then you should consider adopting a second cat.
As you know, the rewards of caring for a cat are numerous and can benefit you in a positive way. In order for your cat to be healthy and happy, you must give it the right care and attention. If the thought of having a cat has crossed your mind, use the given information.