Cats are known for great curiosity. They seem to be able to get by without you, but they tend to like to be around you at times too. The are often vexing, but cats can also be very satisfying as pets. The following advice will help you care for your pet.
Contact local shelters if you want to adopt a cat. Shelters are overflowing with wonderful cats, and the adoption fee usually covers essential vet care. When you adopt a cat from a shelter, you save a life and help keep the cat population under control.
Cats need a certain amount of grooming to stay healthy and presentable. Cats need to be combed or brushed regularly. This leads to a cleaner cat. It also helps to reduce their shedding and can cut down on how many times they are spitting up hairballs. A well groomed cat will be much more pleasant for everyone and will also help you keep your home clean.
A vet trip should happen for your cat yearly. The vet will be able to provide your cat with needed vaccinations and any medications it requires. Veterinarians also keep tabs on your cat’s overall health and diagnose any problems they find. If you can, stick with one vet for your cat’s entire life. This ensures that your vet will have an excellent understanding of your pet’s medical history.
It can be hard to make your cat stay off the counter. Cats enjoy high places so they can see what is happening around them. You can control this tendency a bit by making high places in the house that you feel comfortable having your cat utilize. A carefully placed cat tower in the kitchen will keep cats away from the counter.
Cats can have nocturnal tendencies. Do not be surprised if your cat is very active at night. If your kittens are keeping you awake into the middle of the night, close the door to your bedroom. This can keep them from waking you up at night and from pouncing on feet under the blankets.
Be considerate of your cat’s preferences while traveling. Although you may love singing loudly to your favorite songs while driving, your cat would probably prefer softer sounds. If your cat seems upset or agitated, turn down the music and speak calmly to him.
Cats enjoy being high up. To keep your cat happy, offer him a spot of his own up high where he can survey his kingdom. If you don’t want a large cat tree in your home, a sturdy shelf cleared of breakables will work in a pinch. To make it really special, put a bed or blanket up there too.
Keep old, worn scratching posts. To your cat the post is just right. If you throw it away too soon, that cat may look to your furniture for some clawing while it slowly breaks in a new scratching post.
Don’t scrimp when it comes to your pet’s food. Scrutinize the ingredients closely, and make sure that quality protein sources like chicken, fish and beef are first on the list. Steer clear of food made primarily of corn and fillers. Cats are carnivores, so if you want them to be as healthy as possible, you need to be sure they’re eating enough animal protein.
If you are bringing home a new cat, make sure to give him time to adjust to your current cat. It usually takes about three weeks. Expect to see your cats avoid each other, hiss, or even confront one another. After the initial period though, they should start to settle and begin to get along like old friends.
Is your home covered in your cat’s fur? Cats can shed quite a bit; therefore, it’s important that you maintain proper grooming habits by brushing them often. How often and how much your cat sheds can give you a good idea of how often he need to be brushed. Frequent brushing or combing keeps the cat from getting a tangled, matted coat.
The best way to make sure that you have a healthy cat is to keep up to date with vaccinations and trips to the vet. It is especially important that you get good vet care for kittens so they get all the shots they need. Your kitty is a member of your family, so you need to treat him like one.
Dogs wag their tails frequently when they are happy or excited to see their owners. Cats, however, move their tails or sway it side to side for totally different reasons. Tail-wagging is usually a sign that your cat is considering attacking or fleeing. Similarly, if your cats tail wags when you hold it, it’s wise to put it down at that time.
Some foods that you enjoy as a human aren’t any good for your cat. These can include chocolate, grapes, onions and tomatoes. Allowing your cat to eat even a few bites may cause serious illness or even death. Milk is another food to stay away from.
Cats are often hard to understand, but they still make wonderful pets. The above tips will assist you in giving them a better life. Cats have a knack for raising people’s spirits, and that goes double when they are cared for properly.