If you are seeking an excellent house pet, then a cat is an excellent choice. They offer companionship, clean themselves and are easily trained. The tips below are what every owner must know to have a happy life with their cat.
Female cats need to be spayed as soon as they reach the proper age. Whether or not she typically goes outside, she may escape while in heat and you might have kittens! If you want to prevent this, spay your cat.
Flea Products
Be cautious about using canine products on your feline friend. They can have very strong and possibly negative reactions to dog products. This particularly applies to flea products. These dog flea products can even cause feline death. Make sure to separate your cat from your dog after spraying.
Some cats like to scratch up floors and furniture. If your beloved feline friend is shredding and damaging parts of your home, try investing in a cat tower or a scratching post. Give them some encouragement and let them know it is okay to scratch that. It doesn’t happen overnight but with some patience, you should be able to save your house from the claws.
It can be hard to make your cat stay off the counter. Cats naturally love heights so they can easily see everyone and everything. To help prevent your cat from doing this, you can establish tall places specifically for your cat. For example, give them a cat tower nearby.
A microchip for your cat is something that you should really consider. Even though a cat may live inside, you never know if it will run out the door to escape. Collars or tags can identify your cat, but cats can wiggle out of those, and they are also at risk of getting hung up on something. Microchips are tiny and contain all your contact information. Nearly every vet and shelter owns a scanner which can read a microchip, and since they’re implanted, there isn’t a risk of the chip falling out or getting lost.
Cats are generally nocturnal. The result is that cats prefer to be more active during the night. If your cat is keeping you up at night, you should close the door to your bedroom. It also protects your toes from those crafty midnight pounces.
The litter box for your cat needs to be positioned in the right place. Try and put it in an isolated area away from the cat bowl. You should also make sure there is ample ventilation to avoid odors. Your cat will be more comfortable and you will too.
A cat generally spends quite a bit of time grooming itself. Your cat can get hairballs in the event that their hair is too long. One way to alleviate this condition in your cat is by feeding him special food. Some foods contain extra oils and nutrients, specifically designed to prevent or diminish hairball concerns.
Male cats may develop crystals in the urine, which usually occur as a result of a poor diet. The cat is in pain passing the crystals, and the correction for this is costly. Choose a low magnesium food. The best way to find out is to read the label. You will notice that fish-based foods and products are higher in levels of magnesium than anything sourced from poultry.
Children usually take well to cats, but if you have a small child, you may need to provide some instruction. Make sure your kids understand how cats should be handled. Demonstrate how to pick up the animal and how to play with it as well. Feline bones are weaker than those of many other pets, so they must be handled with care.
If you get a small kitten for your children, make sure they understand the rules ahead of time. Explain where the cat is and isn’t allowed. If your cat is going to be one that stays inside, let the kids know that it’s not allowed outside. Setting the rules in advance will ensure your children understand.
Owning a cat is quite rewarding. They offer lots of comfort and can be stress relievers. But, you must understand proper cat care in order to have a happy animal. Make sure you use the above advice so you can happily coexist with your cat for years to come.