If you own a cat, then you realize that this animal is a part of your family. Do everything in your power to help your cat stay away from ticks, fleas and other things. Parasites can compromise your pet’s health. Keep reading for great tips on keeping your cat healthy.
Check with your shelter before you purchase a cat. Shelters are filled with beautiful cats, and the fee for adoption will basically cover the needed vet care. By choosing a cat from an animal shelter, you can do your part to help with overpopulation. Also, you become a lifesaver!
Cats will try to get into many different crevices. A collar can become a liability if your cat is especially adventurous. Breakaway collars will “break” if they’re pulled too tight. A collar like this could save your cat’s life.
If your cat is older or sick, a heating pad may provide comfort. A terra cotta tile heated in your oven on about 200 degrees and for 15 minutes will do. Use an old towel to wrap around it, then place it beneath the cat’s blanket or bed. If necessary, you can change out the tile after a few hours to provide continued warmth.
Keep your cat amused. Every cat needs exercise time and play! Unfortunately, a lot of cat owners neglect this. Bored cats tend to develop emotional and mental disorders that may negatively impact their health. Give them time and space where they can exercise and toys they can play with. Be sure your cat has something they can climb and something they can scratch if they stay inside.
Give your cat lots of attention and love. They are very loving animals and deserve affection back. They are social creates which need reassurance. This will increase the love that surrounds the family.
While cats are good pets for children generally, smaller children may treat them too roughly. Guide your kids in handling a feline. Children need to know how to hold a cat and what sorts of play a cat likes. Cats don’t have strong bones like dogs do, so they need to be treated gently.
You should talk to other pet owners if you have an issue with yours. Although you might want to take care of things on your own, advice from other people with cats can be a big help. The Internet has many cat forums where you can ask your questions, or simply speak with your vet.
Take time to train your cat to go into a car carrier. You have to take a different approach to training a cat rather than a dog. They are much better with encouragement. Leave the door to a carrier open at all times, and make the interior enticing with a beloved toy and blanket. Over time the cat will not be stressed about the carrier and will enter it voluntarily. As the cat becomes used to being in the carrier, it will become easier to transport them in it.
Although you might find its appearance unappealing, don’t toss a scratching post when it’s getting particular worn and frazzled. While it doesn’t appear clean and new, your cat probably thinks otherwise. For a cat, it is comfortable and familiar. If you throw it away, you may find your cat scratching on other surfaces.
Get a drinking fountain for your cat. In nature, a cat prefers to drink from running streams. House cats prefer this as well. Your cat, if its like most, will really respond to this running water. In fact, many cats like to drink from a running faucet instead of drinking from their water bowls. A fountain will allow your cat to drink like he or she is in the wild.
Dogs will often wag their tails to show their happiness or excitement. Cats may wag as well, but the meaning can be quite different. Tail-wagging in a cat usually means a conflict or that they’re deciding to flee or pounce regarding a situation. If you notice you cat begin to wag his tail when you are holding him, put him down to be sure you are not scratched or swatted.
Cats can have medical problems, just like humans. It’s up to you to take responsibility to remove them from your cat. By using the methods listed above, you’ll be able to rid your cat of and prevent parasites. Your cat will be happy that you did.