Caring for a cat is a lot of work, even though they make great pets. After paying for shots, toys, cat food, litter and grooming, you may feel like reconsidering your choice to own a cat. This article has ideas you can use to make living with a cat cheaper and easier.
If you want to have the love of a cat, get one from a shelter. Many shelters have more cats than they can handle and the fees associated with adoption take care of vet visits. You’re literally saving their life.
Make sure your cat is always groomed. Regular combing and brushing is usually all that is required. This leads to a cleaner cat. It helps your cats shed much less too, which keeps them from spitting those hairballs up. Keep your cat looking at its best by grooming it well.
Your home likely has no small spaces a curious cat won’t want to investigate. A collar can become a liability if your cat is especially adventurous. Purchase breakaway collars that will give if they are yanked tightly. This can save all “nine” of your cat’s lives.
Products Meant
Do not use dog products on your cat. Cats are not the same as dogs, and products meant for dogs can make cats very ill. This warning applies to products for getting rid of fleas. Flea products meant for dogs can seriously harm or kill a cat. You need to separate your pets when you treat them for fleas.
Do not allow your cat to get an electrical shock. Spray them with bitter apple, and they will stay away. Cords should be covered, especially if your cat tends to chew on them. You can take loose cords, bundle them up, and stick them inside the tube from an old roll of paper towels. If you have rarely used electronics, put them up when you aren’t using them.
Keeping your cat off of the counter can be difficult. Cats like to be up high, where they can watch everything going on. One way to combat this behavior is to proved your cat with an elevated place it is okay to climb on. Keep your cats off the kitchen counter by placing their towers near the kitchen or even in it.
Most cats tend towards nocturnal behavior. Your cat will probably be very active during the night. If you have trouble sleeping because of cats, you may want to close the door to your bedroom. They should stay away from you at night and then they will not be able to jump on your feet.
Cats can spend hours keeping themselves and their fur clean. If your cat has hair that’s long it could get hairballs. There is a special food on the market that does help out with hairball issues. Some food are produced specifically for hairball reduction, which will help.
Male cats may develop crystals in the urine, which usually occur as a result of a poor diet. These are very painful and expensive to treat. Keep your cat’s diet low in levels of magnesium. Check the label. Fish usually has more magnesium than poultry.
Little kids shouldn’t be left alone near cats. Make sure your child knows how to pet a cat. Teach them about appropriate activities and how to gentle pick up the cat. Tell them that a cat’s bones need to be handled more gently than those of a dog.
If you want to let your cat outside, think again. The outside world is very dangerous for cats. You cat can get fleas and contract diseases. Other animals and vehicles could also injure your cat. Cage in an area for a cat in your backyard if they must go outside.
Never reprimand your cat for missing the litter box. Usually, this sort of thing happens when the box isn’t being tended to properly. If you punish the cat, it may shy away from you at future times.
A collar and tags are a great way that your cat can be identified if it is found stray. Even indoor cats should have identification on them. You know how curious cats are, and any open door can mean the cat disappears. The tag your cat wears should display your number and your veterinarian’s information. If your kitty has medical conditions, this information can be a life saver.
Cats can be a very expensive animal to take care of. The care they need is similar to that of children. As you now know, you can curtail the expenses of having cats while you still get to enjoy giving them good care.
