The poet T.S. He described them as creatures that the house depends on, and there is some truth to that. Well-behaved, healthy cats are great for any home. Unfortunately, cats can be hard to live with sometimes. Keep reading for some valuable tips on cat care.
Check with your shelter before you purchase a cat. Shelters have great pets available for adoption, and the fee isn’t that high. By adopting a cat from your local shelter, you will preserve a life and will do your part in controlling the cat population.
Gets Caught
Cats like sneaking into small spaces. If your cat gets caught on something wearing a traditional collar they could end up hurting their neck trying to break free. A breakaway style collar will literally “break away” if pulled too tight. This could help save your cat if it gets caught in a tight spot.
You shouldn’t ever use products designed to be used on dogs on your cat. Cats are not the same as dogs, and products meant for dogs can make cats very ill. Be very careful with the flea products you use. These dog flea products can even cause feline death. In fact, your cat should be kept away from your dog for several hours after the dog has been treated for fleas.
Don’t allow your cat to get bored too often. Although you may believe that cats just lie around, this isn’t the case. They need their exercise. Unfortunately, lots of people who own cats neglect this. A bored cat runs the risk of developing depression and obsessive compulsive disorders that may harm them or something in your home. You need to give it new toys regularly and make sure your cat has plenty of space to run and play. If you have an indoor cat, offer him a variety of toys, scratching post or objects he can climb on.
Cats can tend to be more nocturnal than not. This means that they will usually be quite active at night. If you have trouble sleeping because of cats, you may want to close the door to your bedroom. This will keep the cats away while you’re trying to sleep because they won’t be jumping all over you.
Crystals form in urine from male cats. This can be prevented with good food choices. Passing such crystals is a painful experience for your cat, and your wallet isn’t going to enjoy the vet bill. Feed your cat food that is low in magnesium. Go over the label carefully. Fish products tend to be higher in magnesium than poultry products.
Cat medications can be bought affordable online. Though, in emergency situations, buying online may not be possible. However, if you buy meds for your cat on a regular basis, you can save huge amounts by getting medication via the Internet.
You should talk to other pet owners if you have an issue with yours. You may try to handle it yourself, but you might need input from other cat owners. You can find online cat forums to ask questions, or you can speak with your vet.
To help avoid a finicky cat, feed your cat different brands of cat food. If they only eat the same food, they may never eat another food in the future.
Are you overwhelmed by cat hair? You have to brush your cat to avoid their shedding. Cats that shed a lot need to be brushed more frequently. This keeps the coat from matting, too.
Litter Box
Think about where you want to put the litter box. You may believe that the litter box should be kept in a small place so that you won’t smell it. It is equally important that the litter box is readily accessible to your cat, though. Cats can be finicky, so it is important that you give them an environment they feel comfortable in. The area around the litter box should be comfortable and warm to walk on, so make adjustments as needed.
Keeping vaccinations up-to-date is the way to make sure your cat lives longer and more healthy. Stick to regular check-ups. Kittens need proper medical care just like young children, and its best to bring them in every so often for health checks to ensure nothing terrible is going on. You need to stay up to date with immunization and booster shots to improve the health of your cat.
If your pet is avoiding its litter box, try moving it to a different spot. Just like humans, cats can be sensitive to where they eliminate, so choose a private location if possible. Low-traffic areas like basements and laundry rooms are great places to put the litter box.
Put a collar around your cat’s neck. Make sure it has your address, phone number and name. Your indoor pet might even get out if you leave a window open. Do everything possible to make sure your cat is returned safely to you in the event it gets out.
Caring for a cat can be a lot of work, but it’s absolutely worth it. From a cat that knocks dishes off shelves or one who likes to pee on the couch, there are solutions for all of your problems. Your cat will soon be purring in anticipation.