If you’re not used to cats because you’ve never had one, then you need to learn a few things first. These abandoned cats make up about half of the entire population of domestic cats, and are often a nuisance in urban locations. Use the information from this article to help guide you along your pet care journey.
Make frequent checkups with your vet to keep your cat healthy. Cats need yearly shots and overall health assessments. Always use the same veterinarian if possible. This one vet will be aware of the cat’s history.
If your cat is female, it is very important that she be spayed when the vet feels she is old enough. You may not think it’s necessary if you have an indoor cat, but your cat may escape. Spaying a cat can prevent this.
Don’t use dog products on your cats ever. Cats will react very negatively to any products intended for dogs. This particularly applies to flea products. Dog flea prevention products will kill your cat. In fact, it is a good idea to separate your cat and dog for a few hours after your dog has taken flea medication.
A tagged collar is essential if you let your cat outside regularly. Tags can save you a lot of trouble if your cat gets lost. Make sure at a minimum to put your pets name and your phone number on the tag.
You have to place a litter box correctly. Keep the litter from the cat food, and avoid placing it in a busy area. To prevent a strong stench, be sure this space is well-ventilated. Your cat and you will appreciate it.
Your cat needs attention and a lot of affection. Cats give us a lot of love, and they deserve to be loved back. Cats have a need to communicate with others to show they are part of the family. Make her feel like she is part of your family.
Though a veterinarian will almost always have a supply of medications that your cat needs, it can be more cost-effective to purchase them from online venues. In an emergency, however, this might not be possible. But if you have to regularly buy pet medicine, you can save 50% or more on some medicines by buying online.
Children usually take well to cats, but if you have a small child, you may need to provide some instruction. It is important that you teach children how to properly interact with a new cat. Help them learn how to pick up a cat and care for it. Cats have weaker bones than dogs so should be treated carefully.
Talk to others when you have a problem with your cat. Though you want to handle problems on your own, you may require advice from others who own cats. There are also forums on the Internet which cater to cat parents.
Keep old, worn scratching posts. Cats tend to enjoy a scratching toy more after they’ve gotten comfortable with it and made it their own. Removing the post could cause your cat to look for something else scratch, possibly damaging your furniture.
Buy your cat a fountain to drink from. Cats who are in the wild prefer to drink from running water, and this holds true for domestic cats, as well. Cats respond well to this stream of water. In fact, there are cats that enjoy drinking from a running sink instead of a bowl. A drinking fountain provides a more natural and environmentally friendly way for your cat to drink.
Your cat should be given food from a can. Although it is usually more expensive, canned food offers real nutritional advantages. The water content is higher, and there is more protein and fat in the canned food. Aging cats will find it easier to chew. Ask your vet for more info, bun in general, canned food is much better for a number of reasons.
Keep a collar with ID on your cat. Even if yours is an indoor cat, this is still an important safety measure. Even the tamest indoors cat can be tempted by the possibilities presented by an open door or window. They should wear a tag with your vet’s info as well as your telephone number. This is particularly important if you have a cat with medical needs.
You should now be able to step outside of your residence and defend against stray cats invading your yard. Cats are very loving creatures, once you get to know them. Cats need to be loved and treated with care. You could even end up bonding with one of the feral cats.