Cats can be engaging and delightful, causing you to become engrossed in their playful games. Sometimes you may have to introduce some new things to your cat to keep it occupied. Simply sitting at home playing with your cat can be enough for enjoyment. Keep these tips in mind as you care for your cat in the best way possible.
Keep drape cords away from cats. It is easy for the cat to get his head caught among the cords when playing with them. This may seriously injure or kill your cat. Make sure drapery cords are kept back to avoid this.
If your cat is older or sick, a heating pad may provide comfort. Just heat a one-foot square terra cotta tile in your oven at about 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Use an old towel to wrap around it, then place it beneath the cat’s blanket or bed. Change it out every few hours if you feel the need.
Your furnishings and belongings can easily be ruined by a cat’s claws. If you find your cat tearing up things around your home, buy a scratching post or cat tower. Give them some encouragement and let them know it is okay to scratch that. Your cat will eventually understand they should only use the post or tower for scratching.
Cats sometimes will spend hours grooming themselves to perfection. When the cat’s hair is longer, this could lead to hairballs. One way to alleviate this condition in your cat is by feeding him special food. They help the hair pass through by breaking it down.
You may be able to find a better deal on your cat’s prescription online instead of purchasing them from your veterinarian. In some cases you may not be able to buy online, in the case of emergencies, for instance. But if you have to regularly buy pet medicine, you can save 50% or more on some medicines by buying online.
Cats like to be high up to see the surrounding area. Your cat will appreciate being on top of a cupboard, fridge or anywhere they can surrey their environment. You can give your cat on a shelf to accomplish this. To make it really special, put a bed or blanket up there too.
Litter Box
Don’t think that you can teach a cat to use its litter box. This is a natural instinct for felines, and it need not be taught. While many pet owners try to introduce their cats to a litter box by rubbing their front paws in the sand, this can sometimes traumatize your furry friend.
When your cat makes a mess somewhere other than their litter box, don’t get mad. Usually, this sort of thing happens when the box isn’t being tended to properly. Punishments given to the cat will just make him or her less willing to be around its owner going forward.
To help avoid a finicky cat, feed your cat different brands of cat food. If you feed them the same thing day in and day out, it will be the only thing that they are able to eat later on down the road.
Is your pet’s scratching post starting to look beat up? Don’t toss it out! To your cat the post is just right. Tossing it and getting a new one may cause your cat to find something old to scratch like your furniture.
Don’t scrimp when it comes to your pet’s food. Pay attention to the ingredient list on any food you feed them. Protein needs to be one of the very first items on the list, while fillers like corn and other grains should be avoided. If the food uses fillers like corn and other things that are not protein, that’s not a sign of the good nutrition a cat needs. This type of food should be avoided. Cats need meat, not vegetables.
Keep a breakaway collar and tag on your cat. Even an indoor pet should have this. Cats are curious creatures and an open door or window is likely to be explored. It is a good idea to include your own phone number along with the name and contact number of your veterinarian. This is also essential if they have specific medical needs.
If your cat is urinating a lot or in areas away from the litter box, they may need to see the vet. This behavior may be indicative of an infection of the urinary tract or some other issue. Certain antibiotics prescribed by your vet can clear up the problem.
Make sure play time is an important part of your cat’s life. No matter what age, play is common among cats and other animals. Though older cats don’t have as much energy, they still need some play. Therefore, be sure you set some time for playing with your cat.
Think about extra care before you take home a cat with long hair. Long-haired cats shed constantly, and the fur ends up on your clothing, floors, and everything else in your home. Unless you have time to dedicate to cleaning up their fur, don’t get long haired cats. They can also have more health issues due to hairballs.
Giving Birth
When your cat is close to giving birth, provide a spacious area for her. The process generally takes about three hours, so you must exercise patience. If you believe your cat is still giving birth after six hours, you should immediately drive to the vet’s office.
Try any of the games suggested and see how much fun it can be playing with your cat. These tips won’t work for every cat, but most felines will find them to be favorable. Just keep them happy and they’ll stay healthy, too.