You can get a better pet than a cat. However, if you’re new to cat ownership, you may want to read the paragraphs below. There are plenty of great pieces of advice that would be of use to any potential cat owner below.
If your cat is a female, be sure to get her spayed when she is old enough. This is true even if you think your cat is indoors only. One escape can lead to a lot of small kittens around! A spayed cat is a safe cat.
Make sure your cat has a collar if it goes outside. Cats can roam far, so a tag will ensure you find them quickly when they’re lost. Make sure at a minimum to put your pets name and your phone number on the tag.
Chances are, your feline spends many hours grooming himself. However, if it has a lot of hair, hairballs can occur. To fix this problem, you can try buying a new food. Some foods are in fact formulated specifically to reduce hairballs, and that is a good idea for your cat and you too.
Find cat medicine online if you want to get discounts. In an emergency, this won’t be much help, of course. But, if you’re having to buy pet medication regularly, you will be able to save up to half the price if you buy online.
Little kids shouldn’t be left alone near cats. Make sure your child knows how to pet a cat. Show them how to gently pick kitty up and what kinds of activities are appropriate. Cats’ bones are more fragile than those of dogs, so they need gentler treatment.
Be cautious when leaving a kitten with children. Particularly if the children are younger than five, they need supervision. They simply lack the maturity to comprehend the harm they can potentially do to kittens. As they age, you can determine how much interaction they should have with the animal.
Although your cat’s old scratching post may look very worn out, you shouldn’t throw it away. While it doesn’t appear clean and new, your cat probably thinks otherwise. For a cat, it is comfortable and familiar. Even if you throw it away and buy a new one, your cat may opt for tearing up your upholstery instead.
Get a drinking fountain for your cat. Cats like their water to move. Cats seem to like a water stream better. Cats will often drink from a running sink and actually prefer it over the water in their bowl. Also, drinking fountains are more environmentally friendly and gives them the ability to drink naturally.
Check your cat if they suddenly stop using their litter-box. Your cat might have a hard time using the litter box because of a health condition. A bladder infection is often at the root of the problem. Be sure to go see your vet if your cat stops using its box.
Dogs will wag their tails often to show their owners that they’re excited to see them. A cat may look like it is wagging its tail, but it is completely different than what a dog does. Tail-wagging is usually a sign that your cat is considering attacking or fleeing. If you hold your cat and it starts wagging its tail, you should put your cat down right away.
You should get a collar with your contact information and make sure your cat wears it all the time. Even if your cat lives in the house, he could always get out. Do everything possible to make sure your cat is returned safely to you in the event it gets out.
Some human foods you enjoy often are not good for your cat. These include garlic, grapes, green tomatoes and onions. They can really hurt a cat if ingested. Milk is something that can hurt your cat’s stomach, so beware of that too.
Your cat should remain indoors and near your home. Indoor cats typically live longer than those who live outside. Outdoor cats can be attacked by other animals and exposed to many harmful influences. Play with your cat daily to give it adequate exercise.
Always keep your declawed cat indoors. Since the cat is not able to adequately defend himself from attack, there is a risk of serious injury. If your cat is an outside cat, do not have it declawed. Even with that, only their front claws should be removed. Keep the back claws intact, since they can’t do damage to your furnishings and flooring.
Cats Human
Don’t give cats human medication. Some people incorrectly give cats human medications thinking it will be okay in small doses, but it can kill him or her. If your pet has any issues, take them to a vet for proper pet medication. Giving cats medication meant for humans is very dangerous and could even kill them.
If you work, your cat can get awfully lonely while you’re away. It can be a good idea to get a companion cat to keep yours company when you are at work.
Place a sticky style tape on your furniture. This can deter your cat from scratching the upholstery. You can find tape specifically made for this at many pet stores. When your cat sticks to the couch, he’ll learn his lesson.
If you are concerned that your cat might be exposed to things such as fungus, fleas or rabies, you should keep him inside. Although an indoor cat can be affected by a few of these things, they will be more prone to experiencing these issues if they are outside a lot.
It is important that you treat your cats with tick and flea medications year-round. There are many different types of flea and tick medications that work really well. They stop fleas from making your pet’s life miserable. Purchase a flea and tick medication made especially for cats.
Getting a cat is great decision. For many people, a cat’s presence helps to instill a sense of calm and comfort. However, in order for them to give their best, they need to be properly cared for. Be sure to build a healthy relationship by using the above advice.