The care and companionship you provide for your cat can improve its quality of life. In some cases, it can even save a life! Millions of cats are out there needing a loving home. If you need to know more about caring for your new cat, keep reading.
Keep your older cat comfortable by placing a heated tile underneath its bed. Just heat a one-foot square terra cotta tile in your oven at about 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Put it inside an old towel, then place it beneath the cat’s bed. This should be changed a few times a day to maximize comfort.
Dog Products
It is not safe to use dog products for your feline friend. Cats have very strong, negative reactions to products formulated for dogs. Flea products are a great example of this. Dog products that are flea related can kill a cat. After your dog receives a flea treatment, keep your cat away for at least a few hours.
Use bitter apple on your electric cords to keep your kitty away from them. Cat can sometimes chew on cords, and they should be covered to prevent this. The tube from a used-up roll of paper towels makes an excellent shield for loose cords. Electronic items with thin, tempting cords should always be put away when not in use.
Keeping your cats away from the counters can be hard. After all, cats prefer to stay high so that they can keep an eye out on everything. It helps to provide your cat with certain high spaces where it is allowed. For example, give them a cat tower nearby.
A microchip for your cat is something that you should really consider. Even a house cat may end up lost outside, no matter how careful you are. Tags and collars are great, but they don’t always stay on your cat. They can also be a risk, should they get snagged on something. Microchips are as small as a rice grain and have all of your important contact information. Most vets and all shelters can scan these chips to get your contact information and there is no risk of losing the chip.
Put your cat’s food on a tablecloth. Cats will sometimes pluck food from the bowl and enjoy it straight off the ground. This can really make a mess, and you might have to spend significant time cleaning around your cat’s food bowl. An easy solution to this problem is a placemat underneath the food dish, or a piece of fabric you can easily wash.
Think hard before allowing your cat outside. This can put your cat in an unsafe position. There is a chance your cat can contract fleas or perhaps something much worse. Other animals and vehicles could also injure your cat. If you’ve just got to have the cat outdoors, limit it to an enclosed area.
You should brush your cat very regularly. Brushing spreads natural oils through the fur and also stimulates circulation. It’ll also remove all that loose hair. This keeps hairballs at bay, which may cause choking and build up inside their stomach from self-grooming.
Acclimate your cat to its carrier. Punishment affects cats differently from dogs. They respond better to encouragement. Give your cat a treat every time it does something well. Over time the cat will not be stressed about the carrier and will enter it voluntarily. In the future, your cat will not get scared when you put him in the carrier.
Feed canned food to your cat. Dry food is cheaper, but some wet foods have more benefits. Canned food is rich in protein and fat and also has a higher water content. If your cat is getting older, canned food is easier to chew as well. Talk to your vet, but canned food is generally superior for your cat.
There is more care to consider with long-haired cats. The hair looks good, except when it’s all over your furniture. You must be willing to spend more time cleaning your home. Also, give them the right food which is anti-hairball.
Litter Box
Be aware of your cat stopping their litter box usage. Abandoning proper litter box habits is often a warning sign of serious health problems in cats. A UTI or kidney infection may be the reason for its bathroom problems. Call your veterinarian right away if your cat doesn’t use the litter box.
Cat owners should be proud of loving their cats so much. You’re providing affection and shelter to a create that needs it badly. Your cat and you will build a great bond relationship that will last a lifetime. Take good care of your cat and she will be your companion for years to come.