Though they are independent, cats need care, just like all pets. However, you don’t do this like you would for a dog. You need to brush them, but not bathe them often. Check out this article for some tips related to cat grooming.
Don’t use dog products on your cats ever. Your cat will have a bad reaction to anything that has been specifically formulated for a dog. This will especially be true if it’s a product for fleas. Flea treatments made for a dog can be fatal to a cat. If your dog has been treated for fleas, keep him away from your cat for at least three hours.
Prevent your cat from chewing on electrical cords by spraying bitter apple on them. Most office stores sell a tube that you can stick all of your wires and cords through if the spray doesn’t work. You can do this by bundling them and tucking them in the cardboard rolls that are used for paper towels. Cats are drawn to wires and cords, so you should keep them out of sight and out of mind if they are not being used.
A lot of cat owners have a hard time keeping their cats off the counter. Cats enjoy high places so they can see what is happening around them. You may mitigate the problem by providing designated heights for them to use. Your cat will not go on your counters if there’s a cat tower close to the kitchen.
If you’re traveling with your cat, take care to remember their ears. You may prefer loud music as you drive down the freeway, blasting your stereo, but your feline friend likes softer sounds better. Spare your cat’s sensitive hearing by keeping the volume down at all times.
Cats are usually great for kids, but smaller kids may be too rough with them. It is important that you teach children how to properly interact with a new cat. Demonstrate the proper way to pick up a cat and what they can do with the cat. Cat’s bones aren’t quite as strong as dogs, so they must be treated gingerly.
Make sure that you have a good tablecloth for your kitten. Certain cats prefer removing their food from their bowl and putting it on the side to eat it. This habit means you will end up with cat food on the floor to clean up. To make clean up a breeze, use a place mat underneath the bowl or a piece of fabric. You’ll be able to pick it up easily and shake the excess food into the trash.
Increase the variety of food that you give your cat. If they start eating just one type of food without variation, they are sure to grow finicky.
If adding an additional cat to your home, give the cats a couple of weeks to get comfortable with each other. In the beginning, they may not seem to get along at all. Eventually, they will come to tolerate and actually enjoy being together.
Try moving your litter box somewhere else if the cat won’t use it. Cats know that they’re vulnerable when using the bathroom and need a place that is quiet and safe. Great suggestions include your basement and laundry room.
Dogs usually wag their tails as a sign of friendly greeting or encouragement. When a cat wags its tail, it’s for a completely different reason. For cats, tail-wagging usually indicates some type of conflict or that he is deciding whether or not to attack or flee from a situation. If kitty starts wagging his tail while you’re holding him, it’s best to put him down so you don’t get scratched.
Indoor Cats
Don’t let a cat that’s had its claws removed go outside. They won’t be able to protect themselves against other animals, and they run the risk of getting seriously injured. Indoor cats can be declawed, though. With indoor cats, just remove the front claws. Don’t remove the back claws. This will help ensure that your cat remains safe in case it gets outside, and back claws will not scratch any furniture.
It’s important to only feed your cat the amount of food that it should have to ensure a healthy life. If your cat eats too much, it may end up being overweight and have health issues. Don’t overfeed your cat and ensure that his diet is healthy.
Look out for holes around the home you would rather your cat didn’t get into. A cat can squeeze through incredibly small openings. This especially applies to kittens. Be aware of this when you are bringing a new cat into the home. Cover or repair large holes you see.
Never offer table scraps to your cat. Human food isn’t great for cats because of the ingredients, additives, and cooking methods. If you want to give your cat a treat, give them a tablespoon of beef, chicken or egg. But if you are following the feeding instructions on the food you feed your cat according to his age and weight, his diet is complete.
An indoor-only cat is your best bet. Cats that spend time outdoors generally don’t live as long, probably because they are more likely to get sick or get into an accident. Some of the illnesses can actually be passed along to members of the household. Let your indoor cat have a place where it can look out a window so that they can get the feeling of the outdoors from an indoor location.
Once your cat has had the best grooming possible, it can look good. You control how healthy your cat looks and feels. Your cat will be happy when it is properly cared for. Read here about how to be successful in keeping your cat groomed in a healthy, productive way.
