Cat are definitely amazing as pets, but they are also amazingly finiky! From particular diets to nail clippings at vet visits, you need to take care of a lot of different issues when you own one (or more). The following article will offer you expert tips on how to give your cat everything it needs.
Cats can get into even the tiniest of spaces. A collar can become a liability if your cat is especially adventurous. A collar that is a breakaway model will detach itself if it gets pulled on. This can help to save a couple of your cat’s nine lives.
Spay your female cat. Even if she is an inside cat, you need to spay her because she could get out. Unless you want the hassle of getting rid of kittens, spaying is the best option for your cat.
You should not use products designed for other animals. If you try to use products meant for dogs, it can make your cat sick, or even kill him. This happens a lot with flea products. Dog products that are flea related can kill a cat. In fact, your cat should be kept away from your dog for several hours after the dog has been treated for fleas.
If your cat is outdoors, it needs to have a tagged collar. A lost cat is much easier to locate if they are properly tagged. Make sure at a minimum to put your pets name and your phone number on the tag.
It can be tough to keep cats off the countertops. Cats instinctively want to be at a high vantage point so they can survey their surroundings. To help prevent your cat from doing this, you can establish tall places specifically for your cat. The use of a cat tower within your kitchen or close by can help make the cats stay off the counter.
Don’t allow your cat become bored. They need exercise and they get it through play. Sadly, this is overlooked by many cat owners. Bored cats can develop depression and other harmful health conditions. Give them room to play and a large number of toys. If they are indoors, give them a scratching post or something to climb on.
You might find that your cat sleeps all day and wants to be active at night. It is likely that they will want to play while you are sleeping. Shut the door to your bedroom. This helps to muffle the sounds of nighttime play. You won’t be able to hear their sounds as they walk around in the middle of the night.
Cover the area around your cat’s bowl with a cloth. Sometimes cats like to take food out of the bowl and eat it to the side of the bowl. That means you will have to tidy up the food left beside the cat bowl. You can get a pet mat or use a piece of old fabric to put under it for easy cleanup.
You need to establish some boundaries if you are getting a cat for your children. Make sure your children know what rooms the cat can go into and what rooms it can’t. If you plan to raise an indoor cat, let your children know that the cat cannot go outside. Setting up rules ahead of time can help your kids understand better.
Don’t leave a kitten with small kids. If a child is under the age of five, you should not leave the pet alone with them. Their immaturity prevents them from understanding how easily they could hurt the kitten. As they grow, you will be able to decide when it is the right time for them to handle a cat or kitten without supervision.
When your cat makes a mess somewhere other than their litter box, don’t get mad. Check out the box instead and see if it has been neglected; this is often a cause of accidents. If you punish your cat for this, it will fear you later in the future.
If a cat is about to give birth, provide them an area that’s spacious. The birth will take place over the span of several hours. Once 6 hours have passed, if all the kittens have not been delivered you should seek the help of a vet.
Pay attention to panting from your cat. Understand that dogs panting is normal; however, this is not the case for cats. Cats often pant when they are anxious or overheated, but this may also signal a more serious issue. If your cat is panting, and has a history of breathing problems, call your vet for advice.
Though caring for a cat can seem like no big deal, there are actually a lot of things to consider, including veterinarian visits and giving them extra amounts of attention. Consider the tips presented here to help you become a better pet owner and feel prepared for whatever your cat has in store for you. You’ll be glad you did.