Cats are great, but they’re not cheap to take care of. Vet bills, toys, cat litter and food add up. These tip can help you keep your cats and save some money while you care for them.
If you have drape cords in your home, keep them away from your cats. These are not great play toys for cats. They can wrap around a cat’s neck pretty easily. This could lead to a severe injury or even death. Therefore, ensure that drape cords are pinned away from your cat’s reach.
Make sure that your cat is well groomed. Brush your cat’s fur often to help it be shiny and healthy. If you do this often, their coat will stay clean. It can cut down on shedding and spitting up hairballs, too. Keep your cat looking at its best by grooming it well.
Cats love to squeeze into tiny spots. If your cat is such a curious one, wearing a collar is a safety risk, as your feline might get stuck because of it while exploring. If your pet is wearing a breakaway collar, it’ll detach if it’s pulled too hard. Using this collar will prevent your cat from injuring itself.
Keeping cats from a counter really can be tough. After all, cats prefer to stay high so that they can keep an eye out on everything. You can remedy this by creating some place up high that you can can enjoy hanging out in. Your cat will not go on your counters if there’s a cat tower close to the kitchen.
Litter Box
Pick the right location for your cat’s litter box. Place the litter box away from high traffic areas. Additionally, the litter box should be placed away from your cat’s food and water. To prevent a strong stench, be sure this space is well-ventilated. Your cat is certain to appreciate a litter box that is put into a good location.
Reconsider outside time for your cat. This can put your cat in an unsafe position. Your cat could get parasites, or worse. Cats can be harmed by cars, people and other animals. If you allow your cat outside, make sure you live in a reasonably safe area.
Be cautious when leaving a kitten with children. If a child is under the age of five, you should not leave the pet alone with them. They simply lack the maturity to comprehend the harm they can potentially do to kittens. As kids age, you can then determine whether they are mature enough for small pets.
Cats feel safest in an elevated location. A cat will only be happy if you give it a safe spot to look over everything. If you’re averse to cat trees for some reason, a shelf without breakable items will work. To complete the package, add a cat bed or blanket.
Avoid spending too much time trying to train your cat to utilize its litter box. Cats instinctively understand what to do and teaching is not required. It’s not a good idea to rub your cats paws in litter. Some people think this is the way to train. It isn’t.
Splurge on your cat’s food. Look over the ingredients in the food, and be sure there is some kind of a protein source in the food. If the food uses fillers like corn and other things that are not protein, that’s not a sign of the good nutrition a cat needs. This type of food should be avoided. Cats are carnivores so it is important for them to get enough animal protein in their diet.
Give your cat canned food. Dry food is usually cheaper, but canned food boasts a number of benefits. Your cat will get extra protein and fats from canned food along with some of the water it needs every day. As your cat ages, canned food is more easily chewed. Ask your vet, though canned food is often better for your cat.
Always make sure that your cat has on identification tags and a collar. This is essential, even for indoor cats. Cats tend to be curious and open doors and windows can be inviting. Tags that have your vet’s name and phone number are good things to put on the collar. This will be important especially if you have a cat with medical issues.
Long-haired cats require more care than their short-haired comrades. That lovely, silky coat won’t look nearly as good all over your floors as it does on the cat. Don’t get such a cat unless you are prepared for the extra commitment they take over regular cats. Long haired cats often have hairball problems.
Give your cat a collar that features your contact information. This is also true for indoor cats. It is possible that the animal might accidentally venture out of your home. Don’t take any chances; make sure your pet has the proper identification so he is returned to you.
If you can, keep your cat inside and close to you. Cats who live indoors live longer and are healthier than outdoor cats. Daily exercise with you doesn’t need to create risks for other cat attacks or diseases from the wild.
Declawed Cat
Don’t send a declawed cat outdoors for long periods of time. The cat won’t be able to fight back if other animals attack it and that could get it hurt or killed. The only place for a declawed cat is inside, with you. If you do choose to have your cat declawed, only the front claws should be removed. There is no need to remove the back claws since the cat does not use them when clawing furniture or fabric.
You can deter cat scratching with something as simple as tape. The tape will keep your cat from scratching your furniture and upholstery. Certain pet stores sell this kind of tape. Using this tape, along with a scratching post is a great way to keep your cat from scratching up your furniture.
It can be quite expensive to properly care for your beloved cat. Being a cat parent can be labor and time intensive. As you have learned here, there are ways you can make caring for your cat easier and more fun.