Although cats make great pets, they can be expensive. The cost of vet bills, food, toys, and cat litter are enough to make any person reconsider owning a cat. For ideas to improve your cat’s health and happiness, read on.
If your cat is female, it is very important that she be spayed when the vet feels she is old enough. It is best to spay your cat, even if you want to keep it as an indoor pet. Spaying the feline is really the optimal way of dealing with this.
If you have an outdoor cat, make sure he is fitted with a tag and collar. Understand that cats may travel a long distance; therefore, if it gets lost, this tag will assist you and others in finding it. Have your phone number engraved on the tag.
Keep your cat amused. Cats require plenty of exercise. Unfortunately there are too many cat owners who don’t properly exercise their cats. Bored cats can develop depression and other harmful health conditions. Give them lots of space for exercise and plenty of toys they can play with. If your cats are kept inside, set up a carpet lined scratching pad or post. There are many climbing structures that can be purchased or made for cats who enjoy heights.
Pick a good spot for the cat’s litter box. Never put the box near your cat’s food, and pick a quiet place away from areas that are heavily used. To minimize odors, keep it in a spot that’s well ventilated. Both you and your cat will reap its benefits.
Check prices online for your cat’s medication to see if they are cheaper than at your vet’s office. When an emergency strikes, however, you may not have the option of buying medications on the Internet. You can save as much as fifty percent on the stuff you regularly use.
If you’re taking kitty on a road trip, don’t play loud music. They don’t want to hear you singing at the top of your lungs. Keep the music turned down or off when taking your cat on a trip.
Younger children can be a little rough with cats sometimes. 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. Keep in mind that a cat’s bones are much more fragile than a dog’s.
If your cat constantly meows, you need to try to figure out why. After you have lived with your cat for a while, you will come to know what she wants by her meow. Maybe she wants to go out, or maybe she wants to eat. By giving her the proper amount of attention you can better attend to her needs.
Take care if you leave a kitten with youngsters. Children under five years of age should not be left alone with a kitten. The maturity level isn’t there when it comes to your child. When your children age, you will realize when they’re able to deal with a pet.
Feed your cat several different kinds of food if you want to the lower the chances of them becoming finicky. If they only eat the same food, they may never eat another food in the future.
Drinking Fountain
Get a drinking fountain for your cat. When cats are out in the wild they like to drink running water, and this is true in your home as well. They are more likely to get plenty of water when it is running. In fact, many cats like drinking from faucets more than from their water bowls. A drinking fountain provides a more natural and environmentally friendly way for your cat to drink.
As soon as you adopt your cat, fit him with identification tags attached to a collar. This is important even if your pet lives indoors. Cats are endlessly curious and may head out an open door or window. The tag should have your name and address and also your vet’s. Also make sure to note any unusual medical requirements.
When you bring a second cat into your home, allow a few weeks for the two to adjust to each other. The cats might hiss, swat and hide from each other at first. If you give them enough time though, chances are good they will befriend each other and enjoy the extra company.
Play is an important part of a cat’s life. Just like playtime is important for other types of pets, the same holds true for your cat, despite whatever their age happens to be. While older cats aren’t near as energetic, they still enjoy playing often. Play with your cat, and you’ll both have fun.
Make sure you provide adequate space to a cat that is about to give birth. The birth of the kittens will take approximately four hours, so use a little patience. If you believe your cat is still giving birth after six hours, you should immediately drive to the vet’s office.
Your cat will thank you if you avoid phenol in your cleaning products. This chemical is present in many household cleaners, such as Pine-Sol and Lysol. The smell is offensive to cats, and prolonged exposure can lead to liver problems.
Make sure your cat does not get more food than it needs to prevent health problems. It can lead to obesity, diabetes and other health related problems. Pay attention to the portions your cat eats and choose your cat food very carefully.
Pets can be pricy to care for and cats aren’t an exception. Cats have complex requirements, which leads many people to compare their needs to those of a small child. Clearly, it really is possible to economize without sacrificing your cat’s care.