Consider your cat as a family member. You should do your best to keep them in good health and take good care of them. They have needs that are different from dogs, and they should not be treated the same way. Keep reading for more information.
Don’t let your cats play with drape cords. Cats should not be allowed to play with these cords, as they can get parts of their body stuck in the cord loops. This could hurt or kill them. Hide the cords for safety sake.
Keep your cat properly groomed. Regular combing and brushing is usually all that is required. If you do this often, their coat will stay clean. Removing excess hair also reduces shedding and can prevent hairballs. Regularly grooming keeps cats looking well and keeps your home neater.
If your cat is a female, you’ll want to spay her once she reaches the proper age. You may not think it’s necessary if you have an indoor cat, but your cat may escape. Spaying the feline is really the optimal way of dealing with this.
You can keep your cat away from electrical cords by spraying them with some bitter apple. Keep your cords covered if you feel like your cat is hellbent on chewing them. Use paper towel or wrapping paper rolls to bundle up cords. Store electronics when they are not in use rather than leaving them plugged in.
Keeping your cats away from the counters can be hard. Cats enjoy going into high places so that they can see what’s going on around the house. One way to nip this problem in the bud is to give your cat a dedicated perch of their own as an alternative to using your space. If you don’t want your cats to jump on your counters, you can put a cat condo in or around the kitchen.
It is a good idea to microchip your cat. Even indoor cats can decide to run away at a moment’s notice, escaping through an open window. Tags and collars may be able to help you get your cat back, but cats can sometimes take these things off or they could get hung up on a tree or something. Microchips are extremely small, but they can hold all the same information as an identification tag. Every shelter and most veterinarian offices have microchip scanners that can read the chips, and best of all, they chips can’t be lost.
Your cat probably spends a lot of time grooming himself to perfection. If the cats hair is too long, this is what causes hairballs. To fix this problem, you can try buying a new food. Look for cat food that is designed to minimize hairballs to keep you and your cat happier.
Feeding your male cat the proper food can help prevent crystals from forming in his urine. Passing stones or crystals hurts and can cost you a ton in vet bills if they don’t come out naturally. To stop this from happening, make sure your cat’s food doesn’t have much magnesium in it. Read the ingredient list on the label. Fish products are usually higher in magnesium.
Cats are generally great with kids, though small kids may be too rough. Teach your children how to handle a cat. You should show them everything from how to properly carry the cat to the best ways to play with it. Because cats are more delicate than dogs, they need to be handled more carefully.
If you’re getting a kitten for your children, discuss this with them before bringing the cat home. Let your children know which areas of the house are off-limits for the cat. If you plan to raise an indoor cat, let your children know that the cat cannot go outside. If your children know the rules beforehand, mishaps are less likely.
Try to figure out why your cat makes meowing sounds. As you develop a relationship with your cat over time, it will become easier to determine why she is meowing. She will let you know when her demands are for food or when you need to let her out. Getting to know your cats cues will help you to interpret her meows.
Make sure play time is an important part of your cat’s life. Actually playtime is very common for all animals, especially cats and people despite their age. Though older cats don’t have as much energy, they still need some play. Have as much fun time with your cat as possible.
All animals are capable of getting parasites. Your cat is no exception. Unless you take measures against them, these pests aren’t going anywhere. By using the methods listed above, you’ll be able to rid your cat of and prevent parasites. This will make life happier for your cat and you, too.