Adding a cat to your family can be quite enjoyable. Learning about cats can help make your time together more productive. Even if you are an experienced cat owner, there are always things you can learn to take better care of your cat. You should keep reading to learn more about how you can properly care for your cat.
If you are planning to get a pet cat, be sure to check with your local shelter. Many shelters have more cats than they can handle and the fees associated with adoption take care of vet visits. Adopting your cat at a shelter allows you to save a cat’s life while also helping mitigate overpopulation.
If you have an outdoor cat, make sure he is fitted with a tag and collar. If your cat gets lost during its time outdoors, a tag makes it easier to locate the animal. At least put your phone number and pets name on the tag.
Don’t allow your cat become bored. Just like dogs, cats need playtime and physical exercise, too. Unfortunately, lots of people who own cats neglect this. Bored cats can develop depression and other harmful health conditions. Give them plenty of room to exercise and a wide selections of toys. A scratching post is a valuable toy to put in your home.
Chances are, your feline spends many hours grooming himself. Long hair encourages hairballs. There are special foods that can ease this issue. Look for cat food that is designed to minimize hairballs to keep you and your cat happier.
Crystals in the urine, an issue many male cats have, can be avoided with the proper food. Your cat will experience considerable pain when he has to pass these crystals, and it’s not an easy (or cheap) problem for your veterinarian to fix. Choose a low magnesium food. Read the labels. Fish products can have more magnesium when compared to poultry.
When you get a cat for your kids, make sure your kids know the rules in advance. Let your children know what rooms you will allow the cat to go into. It’s also important to let them know that outside doors must be kept closed so that the cat doesn’t escape. By getting these rules into place before having a cat, you’ll be sure that your children can understand.
Pay attention and try to figure out what is causing your cat to meow. Learning about your cat’s meows will be easier the longer you know her. It may be a sign your cat needs food, or needs to be let outdoors. By taking note of your cat’s cues, you’ll understand it more.
Be very careful about allowing children to be alone with a kitten. A cat should not be left alone with a child under five years of age. They don’t know what harm they can do. As children grow, it will be easier to see if they’re mature enough to handle a cat.
Your cat deserves a high quality food. Look at the ingredients and make sure protein like fish, chicken, or beef is near the top. Don’t feed your cat food that includes corn or other fillers. The main part of a cat’s diet should be meat protein, so his cat food should be mostly real meat.
Litter Box
Think carefully about where you put the litter box for your cat. Your first instinct will be to put it in a nook or cranny so that you won’t see or smell it. You have to accept the fact that easy access for your cat is the first priority in choosing a spot for the litter box. Felines can be finicky. This means you must give them the right location and make sure it is inviting. If the litter box is on a hard surface, make sure to put something soft underneath it.
If your cat’s about to have kittens, create a spacious area in which she can do so. It can take several hours for the process to unfold and all kittens to be born, so be prepared to spend some time with your cat. If it drags on for six to eight hours, call your vet immediately to talk to them about it.
If you adopted a cat while you were unemployed and it is now time for you to return to work, your cat may get very lonely around the house. To help avoid boredom, consider bringing another cat into the household.
Avoid overfeeding your cat. Many health issues can arise from doing so. Overeating can cause obesity in your cat, which can cause serious illness, similar to people. Make sure your cat’s diet is well-balanced.
Put sticky tape on furniture. If they scratch the upholstery up, place some tape on it to keep them from doing it. There is specific tape for this purpose. By keeping your furniture covered with tape and getting a scratching post put up, you will get your cat to scratch that instead.
Never offer table scraps to your cat. Human food is just that, meant for humans. It contains ingredients that aren’t meant for cats. If you want to give your cat a treat, a spoonful of chicken or some egg is okay. You don’t need to overfeed a cat, though, or he can become overweight.
Don’t let parasites like fleas and ticks attach themselves to your pet. Always use treatments to deter them. Most only need to be applied monthly. These particular medications will help prevent harmful ticks and fleas from leeching onto your pet, which can cause many illnesses. Get a brand that’s specifically for cat use to keep them safe.
No matter what cat you have, these tips can work to train them. While there may be some advice that works for all cat owners, there are many issues which will vary from cat to cat. Just remember to enjoy every minute with your adopted kitten no matter what.