Cats are both incredible and incredibly finicky. With so many needs ranging from vet visit to nail clipping, they require you to know a lot of things. This article can teach you all about basic cat needs.
Keep your cat groomed. A cat requires regularly brushing and combing. This will help them maintain a clean and healthy coat. It’s also helpful in reducing how much cats shed and how often they spit out those dreaded hairballs. Cat grooming will not only keep kitty looking great, but it will also help to reduce the effort spent picking up cat hair around the home.
Small places are spots cats love to get into. If they’ve got a collar on, this may put them in danger as it can get stuck. Therefore, use a breakaway collar that will come undone whenever it’s being pulled very tightly. This could save your cat’s life!
To help your aging cat feel cozy, place a warmed tile under his bed. Bake a one-foot tile made from terra cotta in the oven at 200 degrees F for around 15 to 20 minutes. Use an old towel to wrap around it, then place it beneath the cat’s blanket or bed. Change every few hours if you like.
Part of caring for your cat is taking it to regular veterinarian checkups. A yearly visit for a regular check-up is important, with more frequent visits for shots as required. If a condition, illness, or injury happens, your cat should be taken to the vet immediately.
Dog products shouldn’t be used on cats. It is possible that a dog’s product could cause a serious adverse effect on a cat. Flea products for dogs are one of the worst products to give a cat. Canine flea medications are strong and often made from a different formula than the feline version. They can cause death in cats. Keep them separated by at least one door for a few hours after treatment.
If you have an outdoor cat, be sure he or she has a tagged collar. The collar and tag will make it easier to find the cat if it gets lost. You have to be sure you have your pet’s name and number written on the tag.
Electrical Cords
Spray electrical cords with some bitter apple to prevent cats from getting electrocuted. Most office stores sell a tube that you can stick all of your wires and cords through if the spray doesn’t work. Use some paper towel rolls to tuck loose cords. If you have electrical cords laying out that are not being used, put them away as cats can play with them and then move on to live electrical cords.
Keep smaller children away from pets as they are typically too aggressive. Make sure your child knows how to treat a cat. Show them what activities are appropriate and how to pick them up. Feline bones are weaker than those of many other pets, so they must be handled with care.
Do you have both a dog and a cat? A dog will take any opportunity they have to eat your cats food. Because of this, you should keep your cat’s food in a high spot that your dog won’t be able to reach. This can prevent squabbles over water when their food is gone.
Cats enjoy heights. For a happy cat, make sure you establish a safe environment for them to scan their surroundings. You do not need a big cat tree in the living room; simply provide a solid shelf next to a window. Putting a soft cat bed on the shelf can help to add a little comfort.
Litter Box
You shouldn’t be training your cats for litter box use. This is something that comes naturally and is not learned. A lot of people think that rubbing a cat’s paws in its litter box may help them, but in reality, it can be damaging to them.
Don’t punish cats for making messes outside the litter box. Your cat probably did not use the litter box because it is not well taken care of. The cat will be fearful of you if you punish it.
Expect it to take several weeks for your current cat to accept a new cat in the home. Cats usually do not like change, especially when it comes to another cat. Therefore, they may hide, hiss, or even fight one another. With enough time to acclimate themselves to the new arrangement, though, virtually any two cats will become willing, friendly, and perhaps even inseparable companions.
Have your cat sport a collar that includes information regarding the owner’s name, address and telephone number. The cat may get out if it has a chance to, even house cats do this. It is important that you provide a way that they can get back home if that should happen.
There are certain human foods that you should never feed to cats. Garlic and onions are popular examples. If your cat consumes these particular foods, it can get really sick. Your cat should also steer clear of dairy products.
Stay Inside
Your cat should stay inside most of the time, and when it’s outside, you should ensure it remains close to home. Cats that stay inside have been shown to live much longer than the ones that are allowed to roam your neighborhood. You should go outside with your cat every day to play and exercise.
Caring for a cat is sometimes quite involved. Use the tips from this article to help you be the very best cat owner and fully enjoy the experience. The research will reward you both!
