Similar to people, cats need a balanced, healthy diet which is loaded with nutrients. Without a healthy diet, your cat can become overweight or improperly nourished. You will learn a lot about caring for your feline friend if you read this article.
Drapery Cords
Keep your drapery cords out of the reach of your cat. These are not great play toys for cats. They can wrap around a cat’s neck pretty easily. This may harm or kill them. Make sure drapery cords are kept back to avoid this.
Kitty claws can be quite destructive to fabric and furnishings. If you find your cat shredding your furniture, consider purchasing a scratching post or cat tower. It is much better if your cat uses his claws on that, rather than your furniture. Your cat will eventually understand they should only use the post or tower for scratching.
Think about getting a microchip implanted in your cat. Even indoor cats get out sometimes. A collar with tags increases your chances of getting your cat back if it gets lost but it can also be a risk, for instance if it gets snagged in some branches. Your name and the best way to contact you can be encoded on the chip, which is tiny. Most shelters have a scanner that can pick up the facts located inside the chip.
Litter Box
The correct location is important when picking a spot for a cat’s litter box. Put the litter box in a secluded area, and make sure that it is not near the cat’s food. In addition, you should ensure you place the litter box in a well-ventilated area to minimize the smell. Your cat and your nose will thank you for the effort.
Cats are generally great with kids, though small kids may be too rough. Show your kids the proper way to handle cats. The objective is to be as gentle as possible with your cat. Keep in mind that a cat’s bones are much more fragile than a dog’s.
Do you own both a dog and a cat? Dogs are known for eating other pet’s food. Consider placing the cat food on a location away from where the dog can reach. This also ensures that there are no squabbles over the water between the two, when the food is gone.
Don’t leave a kitten with small kids. Kids under five should not be left alone with a pet. Their immaturity prevents them from understanding how easily they could hurt the kitten. When children get a little older, they develop the skills needed to be around small animals.
Understand that cats enjoy being elevated. Providing a safe environment for your cat is key to its happiness. If you don’t wish to have a big cat tree inside your house, try a sturdy shelf made of breakables. Adding a small pillow or blanket to the spot for napping will be very much appreciated too.
If your cat relieves itself away from its litter box, do not spring into action with punishment. Many times this occurs because the box wasn’t well maintained. If your pet is punished, you won’t do anything but make it afraid of you.
Be sure to carrier train your cat. You cannot punish a cat the same way you would a dog. They need positive reinforcement. Leave your cat carrier open and put a few special toys inside. After some time, your cat will respond better to the carrier. Transporting your cat inside the carrier will then become much easier.
Animal Protein
Feed your cat high-quality cat food. Check out the list of ingredients of any food you are considering buying. Ensure that an animal protein source, including fish, chicken, or beef, is the main ingredient. Don’t choose a food which is mainly corn. Cats are carnivores and need animal protein to stay healthy.
Feed canned food to your cat. While dry food is less costly, the canned food has added benefits. Canned food generally provides more nutrients, protein and fat as well as liquids. Aging cats will find it easier to chew. You should listen to what your vet recommends, though.
Your cat’s choice to potty outside the litter box could signal something more worrisome than misbehavior. Some feline health problems may cause your cat to refuse to use their litter box. A variety of infections and kidney disease can cause your cat to stay away from the box when they suddenly associate it with pain due to their medical condition. If your pet stops using the litter box then see your veterinarian.
Proper nutrition and diet is essential for a cat’s well being. There are many things you need to know to have a healthy cat. Do what is best for your pet and it will live a healthy and happy life.