Cats make great pets, but they can also make expensive pets. Between toys, litter, food, and vet visits, the costs of having a cat can make a person hesitant about owning one. The following article has some great advice to help you care for your cat.
Grooming is an essential part of your cat’s care. Remember to brush your cat’s fur and comb it regularly. Doing this frequently can help them keep their coat clean. It’s also helpful in reducing how much cats shed and how often they spit out those dreaded hairballs. Regularly grooming your cat will help keep it and your home looking great.
Take your cat to the vet every year. They need a check-up one time a year, or more if they require certain shots. Cats should visit the vet right away if they are having any issues.
Don’t use dog portions for your cat. Some can be quite dangerous, and even deadly, when used on a cat. This will especially be true if it’s a product for fleas. Dog products that are flea related can kill a cat. In truth, your cat needs to be kept a distance from any dog just flea-treated for the first few hours.
Try to avoid your cat from becoming bored each day. Cats need to play and get regular exercise. Too many cat owners forget this simple fact. A bored cat may fall victim to depression, compulsive disorders or issued that can be harmful to their health. Give them toys they can play with, play with them yourself, or at the least give them room to exercise. If you have an indoor cat, offer him a variety of toys, scratching post or objects he can climb on.
You have to place a litter box correctly. Try to keep it away from areas of household traffic and away from your cat’s eating areas. Choose an area that is well-ventilated to avoid bad smells. Both your cat and you will appreciate this.
Put your cat’s food on a tablecloth. Some cats prefer removing their food from the bowl and eating it on the side. This makes quite a mess. You can get a pet mat or use a piece of old fabric to put under it for easy cleanup.
If you want to let your cat outside, think again. This isn’t safe for your cat. Your cat may get fleas or have other problems. They might get injured by some other animals, vehicles, or people. If your cat must go outside, try to confine them to the backyard.
Litter Box
Do not discipline your cat if it makes a mess outside its litter box. Often, this happens when the litter box is dirty. If the cat is punished for this, they may become afraid of being around you.
Although your cat’s old scratching post may look very worn out, you shouldn’t throw it away. When it is in this condition, cats tend to like it the most. Something new is not necessarily better for a cat, and it may lead them to scratching the furniture.
If you want your cat to live a long, healthy life, be sure he gets his shots when he is supposed to an take him for a yearly check-up. Your cat needs to get some shots regularly to prevent different illnesses and parasites. Your cat is a family member and ought to be treated as such.
Don’t use products with phenol in a house with a cat. Phenol is typically found in cleaning products such as Pine-Sol and Lysol. The smell is something that cats don’t like, and it also can lead to liver damage if it is used around your cats for a long period of time.
Hairballs can definitely be a problem. Brushing your cats fur should be your first step, but if that doesn’t help, here are a few additional tips. Mix some pumpkin into your cat’s food. Flavor the pumpkin with a teaspoon of the water from a can of tuna. There are cat foods that have anti-hairball components in them, like extra fiber, that can help.
If you work, your cat can get awfully lonely while you’re away. Provide them with something to do while you’re gone, or consider adopting another cat.
Health Issues
Overfeeding your cat can result in serious health issues as he ages. Your cat could become obese and develop some health issues. Carefully monitor your cat’s portions to make sure they eat a balanced diet.
Place sticky tape on pieces of furniture. If you have a cat that scratches your upholstery you need to place tape on that as well. You can even find tape specifically designed for this use in many pet stores. Taping your furniture can save you money and teach your cat not to scratch the material.
It can be quite expensive to properly care for your beloved cat. There are so many things to do that it is akin to having a child. Clearly, it really is possible to economize without sacrificing your cat’s care.