A cat can be powerful, beautiful and extremely bright, compared to other domestic pets. These felines are one of the most common household pets and flood the streets of every major city when active. It may be difficult to live with a cat for the first time. These smart and feisty creatures can be hardheaded and often require advanced care.
If you’re thinking of getting a cat for a pet, you should look to the local shelter. Many shelters have more cats than they can handle and the fees associated with adoption take care of vet visits. By choosing a cat from an animal shelter, you can do your part to help with overpopulation. Also, you become a lifesaver!
Cats enjoy finding small spaces to fit into. Cats that wear collars are at risk should they become stuck somewhere cramped. A breakaway collar is a good option since it will break if your cat pulls on it. This will help you save your cat’s life.
To help your aging cat feel cozy, place a warmed tile under his bed. Simply heat a terra-cotta tile in a 200 degree oven for 20 minutes. Keep this underneath your cat’s resting space for extra warmth. When the tile cools down, change it out for a fresh, warm one.
It may prove quite a challenge to make your cat stay off counter tops. Cats like to be up high, where they can watch everything going on. It helps to provide your cat with certain high spaces where it is allowed. A cat tower near the kitchen will ensure that cats won’t lay on your counter.
You might find that your cat sleeps all day and wants to be active at night. They get very active at night. Close the door to prevent the noise from getting to you. It also protects your toes from those crafty midnight pounces.
Avoid the chance that your male cat will develop crystals in his system that will come out in his urine by feeding a high quality diet. These are very painful and expensive to treat. Choose foods low in magnesium for your cat. Read the label on any food you choose. Poultry products will tend to have lower amounts than seafood based products.
Use a brush on your cat regularly. Brushing spreads natural oils throughout a cat’s fur, and also helps stimulate blood flow in their skin. It is also a good way to reduce shedding. This helps prevent hairballs, which can lead to choking and other health issues.
Reduce the chances of raising a finicky cat by feeding them several brands of food while they are young. Keeping the same kind of food around most of the time makes it to where they only want that specific food.
Your cat should be given food from a can. Even though the dry versions can be more cost-effective, canned cat food usually is more beneficial. Canned food will give your cat more water, fat and protein. It’s much easier for older cats to chew it as well. Speak with your veterinarian before making any major changes, however in general, canned food is better for your cat.
It’s important that cats get play time. Many animals like to play, and that includes humans and cats. Your old cat will not play as much but will still appreciate the excitement. Play with your cat, and you’ll both have fun.
Litter Box
One way to get a cat to use the litter box is to move it to a different place in the house. Instinctively, cat’s will search out a safe place to eliminate, so try relocating the litter box to a quiet and secluded area. Some good places would be basements, laundry rooms, and any other place that doesn’t have a lot of noise and people going in and out.
One of the most delightful things about a dog is the way they happily greet their owners. Cats wag their tails, but definitely not for the same reason. Tail-wagging in cats tends to suggest conflict or anxiety. Along the same line, if your cat wags its tail while you are holding it, you should put it down to avoid getting scratched.
Outsmarting a cat may take some work, but with the tips you learned here it can become second nature. Soon, your cat will understand its role in your home. Cats can become well-trained if you put in the effort necessary.
