Many families find unexpected difficulties when they adopt their first cat. Pets are great, but adopting one on the spur of the moment, without any preparation, is a bad idea. However, it is impossible to anticipate every problem that can arise when you bring home a frisky feline. You should keep reading to learn more about how you can properly care for your cat.
Brush and trim your cat’s fur often to keep it looking sharp. Cats require frequent brushing or combing. This leads to a cleaner cat. It can cut down on shedding and spitting up hairballs, too. Regularly grooming keeps cats looking well and keeps your home neater.
If your cat is female, you need to get it spayed at the proper age. This is true even if you think your cat is indoors only. One escape can lead to a lot of small kittens around! Your best bet is to have your female cat spayed.
Pick a good spot for the cat’s litter box. Keep the litter from the cat food, and avoid placing it in a busy area. To prevent a strong stench, be sure this space is well-ventilated. Your cat will appreciate it and so will you.
Make sure that you never neglect your cat. Cats give us a lot of love, and they deserve to be loved back. Cats, just like people, want to feel like a loved part of a family. Socialization is important to them. Make her feel like she is part of your family.
Cats are usually great for kids, but smaller kids may be too rough with them. Teach your children how to handle a cat. Demonstrate how the cat should be petted and handled and encourage your children to be very gentle. Tell them that a cat’s bones need to be handled more gently than those of a dog.
Think over whether or not you should let your cat go outdoors. Letting your cat outside greatly increases his risk level. They can get fleas, feline AIDS or even leukemia. They might get injured by some other animals, vehicles, or people. If you need to let your cat out of the house, be sure it’s in a safe place.
You shouldn’t leave a young cat with children unattended. If a child is under the age of five, you should not leave the pet alone with them. Little children do not have the necessary skills yet to handle a pet by themselves. As a kid ages, they can show maturity with handling a little pet.
Cats love to be high up. To make your cat happier, give him a lookout perch where he can check out the area. If a cat tower is not ideal, a simple shelf that does not have any breakable items can work. For an extra treat, place a blanket or small bed up there too.
You should install a small drinking fountain for your cat. Cats who are in the wild prefer to drink from running water, and this holds true for domestic cats, as well. Cats generally respond better to a stream of water. You could even consider turning on your sink a few times a day to let your cat drink from the faucet. A fountain will give them the same effect, and it is more environmentally friendly.
Be patient with your pets when you introduce a second cat into your home. There will be an inevitable adjustment period as your two cats get to know each other. They may be leery of each other at first and fight. Eventually, they will come to tolerate and actually enjoy being together.
Every cat loves to have lots of play time. Playing is a very common activity shared by most animals. While older cats aren’t near as energetic, they still enjoy playing often. Enjoy some playtime with your cat.
Long-haired cats require more care than their short-haired comrades. That hair will truly get everywhere! Don’t adopt a cat with long fur unless you’re sure you can handle the extra cleaning. Not to mention cats that have long hair are more prone to getting issues with hairballs.
If your cat is pregnant, make sure she has plenty of room to give birth. This process can take up to five hours. If six hours have gone by and you think there are still more kitten inside the cat, take her to a vet immediately.
Litter Box
Has your cat stopped using its litter box? If so, consider moving the box into another location. Cats perceive using the bathroom as an activity that makes them vulnerable, so moving the litter box to a less-trafficked area means your cat is more likely to use it. The best places are basements and laundry rooms.
Do not use chemicals around your cat that contain phenol. Phenol is found in common products such as Pine-Sol, Lysol, and various other cleaners. This smell is very offensive to cats, and prolonged exposure can even damage their liver.
The tips you just read will help you care for your cat, regardless of its age or breed. Though the concepts are the same, there will inevitably be variations and a different set of circumstances for each family. A newly adopted kitten should be a fun experience, and make sure that is foremost in your mind!