Cats don’t have competition in the great animal kingdom and are great indoor pets for many reasons. Apart from the affection they give, cats also serve a practical purpose by keeping pests out of the house. Cats work to prevent rodents from getting inside to begin with.
Make sure you keep all the recommended appointments with your cat’s veterinarian. Cats need vaccinations to keep them healthy, and your vet can keep an eye out for any other health issues. It is best to always take your cat to the same veterinarian. This ensures that your vet will have an excellent understanding of your pet’s medical history.
Female Cat
When your female cat is old enough, it’s vital to get her spayed. Even if you have an indoor female cat, if it escapes when it’s in heat it could get you a bunch of kittens you weren’t planning on having. Spray your cat so that this does not occur.
Regular visits to the vet will preserve your cat’s health. Cats need routine shots and wellness checks just like people. If your cat has any health issues or injuries, you should try and have them seen right away.
It is a good idea to microchip your cat. Even indoor cats get out sometimes. Collars and tags can help get your cat home, however cats are experts at wiggling out of these, not to mention the risk they pose if they were to get snagged on a bush or tree branch. Microchips are extremely small, but they can hold all the same information as an identification tag. Scanners to read pet microchips are available in every town and they will not come out from under the skin.
Male felines tend to have a build-up of crystals that present in the urine, so you need to avoid this with proper nutrition. Passing those crystals hurts and having this corrected by a vet is expensive. Keep your cat’s diet low in levels of magnesium. Read the label. Cat food with lots of fish tends to have more magnesium, while products with lots of poultry tend to have less.
Do you have dogs and cats? A dog will probably end up eating the cat’s food if it gets the chance. This makes it a good idea to have a cat feeding place high up enough that your dog can’t get to it. This will help prevent any fights that may occur between your animals.
You should talk to other pet owners if you have an issue with yours. Advice from other people can be very beneficial for you. There are online cat forums that allow you to ask questions as well.
Do not attempt to teach your cat how to use the litter box. This is a natural instinct that cannot be taught. You may have heard that rubbing your cat;s paws in litter will help them learn, but that may have a traumatizing effect.
Brush your cat daily. This can help spread their fur’s natural oils around and stimulate blood flow to their skin. Also, it helps manage loose hair. This helps keep those hairballs from building up in your cat’s stomach.
If you plan to add a second cat to your household, be sure to allow two to three weeks for your resident cat and the new cat to get used to each other. In the beginning, they may not seem to get along at all. Give them a bit more time to begin to get used to each other face to face, too.
Take a cat who pees all over the house to the vet. Cats can show this behavior if they have a type of urinary tract infection or other health issue. Affordable antibiotics can solve concerns that may otherwise be quite serious.
Litter Box
Really consider where you place the litter box. It might be tempting to have it in a hidden area where you can’t see it or smell it. The cat has to be able to easily access the box. Cats can be finicky; that’s why you should give them space for their litter box that is familiar and does not put them off. If the littler box is on cold, hard floor, try placing a rug beneath it.
Do not let a declawed cat outside. The cat will be unable to defend itself against other cats or animals, risking injury or even death. Only declaw your cat if you are serious about keeping them indoors. Even with that, only their front claws should be removed. A cat’s back claws are not used when scratching furniture, so those can be left.
Cats have a great sense of smell, which helps them easily grasp changes to their environment. For example, your cat will instantly detect a new scratching post, bed, food dish, etc. If the cat doesn’t like it, don’t be alarmed. Once your cat becomes accustomed to this smell, he or she will begin to like it.
Just like humans, being overweight can harm a cat’s health, so do not feed him too much. Overeating can cause your cat to get very sick, in addition to becoming obese. Watch your cat’s portions and make sure that you feed him a well-balanced diet.
Cats are excellent for controlling rodent problems and help deter other pests from moving in. Cats will go for the kill, unlike dogs. These skills are one of the many reason cats make such wonderful pets.