Although cat ownership is often delightful, it also comes with its share of challenges! When it comes to cats, you have to be aware of many things in order to properly raise it. Continue reading to learn excellent tips on properly providing for your cat.
Drape Cords
Move any drape cords out of a cat’s reach. Whenever cats jump on these cords, they might get tangled up in them. This may seriously injure or kill your cat. All drape cords should be fastened and kept away from any harm that might come to the cats.
Make sure your cat sees a vet regularly to maintain their good health. Your cat needs to get a checkup about once every year, or more if there are issues that come up. Cats should see a vet right away if any health problems or injuries needing treatment occur.
If your cat is an outdoor cat, then you should ensure it wears a tag collar. The collar and tag will make it easier to find the cat if it gets lost. The tag should contain the pet’s name, your phone number and your name as well.
Cats are partially nocturnal. They are often active at nighttime. If your kittens are keeping you awake into the middle of the night, close the door to your bedroom. You won’t be able to hear their sounds as they walk around in the middle of the night.
Your cat most likely spends quite a bit of time grooming. Your cat can get hairballs in the event that their hair is too long. If you’ve got a cat with this issue, get it special types of food. Certain cat foods are formulated to lower the amount of hairballs.
Male felines tend to get crystals in the urine that can be prevented with proper diet. Passing these crystals is painful and the vet bill to have this corrected is expensive. Choose a cat food low in magnesium. Read the label on any food you choose. Products including fish have a higher magnesium content then poultry based products.
When traveling on the road with your cat, understand that they are sensitive to sounds. You cat is used to being at home and it might shock him to hear you singing at the top of your lungs. Turn down the music and let the cat rest.
You should think before allowing your cat to go outside. It is dangerous in today’s society. There is a chance your cat can contract fleas or perhaps something much worse. Other animals, cars and people can hurt your cat. If you allow your cat outside, make sure you live in a reasonably safe area.
Cats feel safest in an elevated location. Your cat will be truly happy if you provide a place for him to view his surroundings. If you do not want cats making a mess in your house, remove breakable items from your shelves. Putting a soft cat bed on the shelf can help to add a little comfort.
Litter Box
Don’t try to show your feline how to go in the litter box. This is a natural instinct that cannot be taught. Some cat owners believe they should expose their cat to the litter box and rub its paws into the litter; however, this may actually have the opposite effect and make your cat scared of it.
Don’t get mad at your cat if it urinates outside the litter box. Usually, this sort of thing happens when the box isn’t being tended to properly. It isn’t fair to punish a cat for wanting a clean area to do its business, and you don’t want to make the cat wary of you.
Always make sure that your cat has on identification tags and a collar. Even if yours is an indoor cat, this is still an important safety measure. Even the tamest indoors cat can be tempted by the possibilities presented by an open door or window. The identification tags should contain your home phone number and the number for your veterinarian. This is also vital if your animal has health issues.
Do your best to keep your cat as healthy as possible and take it to the vet regularly. It is especially important that you get good vet care for kittens so they get all the shots they need. Your cat will be a part of your home and that means it should be treated as good as you would treat a family member.
When your cat is due to deliver babies, ensure that she has a comfortable area with some space. Understand that a female cat will require three or four hours in order to give birth to every kitten. If, after six hours, you think there are still kittens stuck inside your pet, a trip to the vet is in order.
Relocating the litter box can often help curb a problem with cats that refuse to use it. A cat’s instinct tells him that eliminating puts him in a vulnerable state, so try putting his litter box in a safe, quiet area of the house. Some great examples of such locations are basements, laundry rooms or any other less frequently used room in your home.
Initially, caring for cats may be simple, but there is a lot of work and love that needs to be given. Use the advice you’ve been given to make sure you’re a good cat owner. Your thorough research will result in a good experience for both you and your cat.