The cat is a valued family member. Do everything in your power to help your cat stay away from ticks, fleas and other things. They have needs that are different from dogs, and they should not be treated the same way. Continue reading for some great tips.
Drape Cords
Make sure you don’t allow your cat to be around drape cords. If your cat plays with looped drape cords, they could get caught around its neck, which presents a suffocation hazard. This may seriously injure or kill your cat. Make sure that the cords are completely out of sight.
You must always take your cat for regular vet check-ups. Cats need special shots to keep them from getting sick, and the veterinarian will check your cats overall health. Try keeping the same vet throughout your cat’s life. This way, the vet will be very familiar with your cat and its history.
Be certain your cat has regular vet visits. A yearly visit for a regular check-up is important, with more frequent visits for shots as required. Cats must see their vet right away if they start having health issues, injuries or other problems.
It is not safe to use dog products for your feline friend. Your cat will have a bad reaction to anything that has been specifically formulated for a dog. When it comes to flea products this is particularly true. Using dog flea products on your cat can kill them. Once you use flea prevention products on your dog, it should be kept separately from the cat for hours.
Don’t allow your cat to get bored too often. Cats require physical activity. Too frequently this need is overlooked by owners. Bored cats can develop depression and other harmful health conditions. Give them toys they can play with, play with them yourself, or at the least give them room to exercise. If you have an indoor cat, provide a kitty gym for them to climb on or a scratching post.
Your cat needs attention and a lot of affection. Cats need companionship as much as we do. Like most people, cats like to socialize and feel that they are included in the family. They want nothing more than to be an integral part of your family.
Your cat probably spends a lot of time grooming himself to perfection. However, if it has a lot of hair, hairballs can occur. There is a special food on the market that does help out with hairball issues. Some foods are enriched in fibers and vitamins to facilitate the digestion of the hairballs.
While usually cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Make sure that you teach your children the proper way to handle a kitten or cat. Demonstrate how the cat should be petted and handled and encourage your children to be very gentle. Tell them that a cat’s bones need to be handled more gently than those of a dog.
Think twice before leaving a child alone with a kitten. Under five, the child needs to be watched. Kids of this age aren’t old enough to know how dangerous a cat can be. As they age, you can determine how much interaction they should have with the animal.
Acclimate your cat to its carrier. Introducing your cat to a carrier as a kitten can really help to make this easier. Encouragement is a much better strategy. Therefore, place your cat’s favorite toy into its career. Leave the carrier open in a location that your cat frequently visits. The cat will be drawn to the carrier, where it will feel safe and comfy. This will make getting the cat inside easier later.
If your cat’s scratching post looks old and worn, don’t throw it away immediately. Your cat will enjoy the post most when it has been well used. Cats may well try scratching something else entirely (like your furniture!) if you replace their beloved toy with something unfamiliar.
Moist, canned food can be a very good option for your cat. Dry foods are cheaper but canned foods are richer in vitamins and nutrients. Your cat will get extra protein and fats from canned food along with some of the water it needs every day. Aging cats find it makes it much easier to chew. Ask your vet, though canned food is often better for your cat.
Frequent urination outside the litter box may indicate a visit to the vet is required. This may be a symptom of an infection of the urinary tract or another health problem in your cat. Often this problem is quickly and inexpensively cured with a common antibiotic.
Litter Box
If you notice that your cat isn’t using its’ litter box anymore, you need to take note. If your cat refuses to use its litter box, there may be an underlying health concern. 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. Talk to the vet when your cat goes to the bathroom where they shouldn’t.
If you have chemicals that contain phenol, make sure that you do not use these around your cat. Many household cleaners, like Pine-Sol and Lysol, contain this chemical. The smell is something that cats don’t like, and it also can lead to liver damage if it is used around your cats for a long period of time.
If your cat gets a lot of hairballs, the following tips should be useful. Consider mixing a little pumpkin into your cat’s food. A teaspoon of tuna can water can be mixed with it for flavor’s sake. In addition, certain cat foods contain ingredients that are made to prevent hairballs, such as fiber. This may help resolve the issue.
Parasites can be a problem for most cats, and that includes your cat, too. Unless you take action, your cat will not be free of these pests. By following the above advice, you can keep your cat clean and healthy. Your cat is going to be pleased you did so.