Cats are one of the most popular and best loved pets in the world. They offer companionship, clean themselves and are easily trained. These tips are helpful for all cat owners who want to live a happy life with their cat.
Check your local animal shelter if you have plans to get a cat. Shelters all over the country are crowded with marvelous cats, and most provide veterinarian care with the adoption fee. Adopting your cat through a shelter means you are helping to control the cat population and saving a life at the same time.
Properly groom your cat. Cats must be brushed and groomed frequently. This will keep them sterile and aesthetically pleasing. Having a clean fur coat helps reduce the amount of hairballs that get spit up around the house. Regularly grooming your cat will help keep it and your home looking great.
If your cat is a female, it needs to be spayed when it reaches the appropriate age. This is true even if you think your cat is indoors only. One escape can lead to a lot of small kittens around! Spaying your cat is the best way to prevent this from happening.
Your cat’s claws can wreck havoc on your furniture. If you find your cat tearing up things around your home, buy a scratching post or cat tower. They can scratch this instead. It may take some time, but it should eventually work.
Making sure your cat doesn’t jump on the counters is hard to do. Cats instinctively want to be at a high vantage point so they can survey their surroundings. You can get your cat to quit doing this if you make areas that it can climb up to. An excellent tool for preventing your cat from jumping on the counter is a cat tower that is in the kitchen.
Male cats often develop crystals in their bladder that come out in their urine. This can be prevented with a proper diet. It can be painful to pass these crystals and your vet bill will be priced accordingly. Choose foods low in magnesium for your cat. Be sure that you read the label. Fish-based foods usually contain more magnesium than poultry-based foods.
If you’re taking kitty on a road trip, don’t play loud music. While you may like to crank up the stereo when you go cruising, your pet probably prefers you keep the volume down. Keep your music off, and talk to your cat instead.
Cats are great pets, but little ones may not understand that they are fragile. Make sure your child knows how to treat a cat. Teach them what are appropriate activities and how to gently touch it. Keep in mind that a cat’s bones are much more fragile than a dog’s.
Brush your cat daily. Brushing improves the circulation of your cat and helps spread natural oils in the fur. Brushing will also help to remove loose hair. This helps prevent hairballs, which can lead to choking and other health issues.
Feeding your cat different types of food helps ensure they don’t get finicky. If they only eat the same food, they may never eat another food in the future.
Feed your cat top quality food. Your cat needs a lot of protein from meat, so read the labels before you choose a food. Avoid foods like corn or other items without protein. Cats need meat, not vegetables.
A cat’s life isn’t complete without play. Playing is a very common activity shared by most animals. Your old cat will not play as much but will still appreciate the excitement. Enjoy your cat every day.
Aired Cats
If you are considering a long-haired cat breed then you should also consider the extra maintenance required. Long-haired cats are beautiful animals, but keep in mind that they will shed everywhere in your home. Unless you have time to dedicate to cleaning up their fur, don’t get long haired cats. Long-haired cats also often have hairballs.
Is your cat shedding like a madman? Cats shed a ton, so they must be brushed frequently. If your cat is a big shedder, you definitely want to brush him often. It’s also a great aid to keeping the cat’s coat as pristine as possible.
Dogs will often wag their tails to show their happiness or excitement. Cats also wag their tails, but for totally different reasons. Tail-wagging is usually a sign that your cat is considering attacking or fleeing. It’s especially important to keep an eye on your cat’s tail when you’re holding it. If you see it start to move, it’s time to put your pet down before you wind up getting scratched!
Be on the lookout for panting. Panting in dogs is perfectly normal. While panting can be a sign that your cat is overheated or anxious, it can also be a sign of something much more serious. If your cat is panting, and has a history of breathing problems, call your vet for advice.
Owning a cat is quite rewarding. They can really be comforting. You cannot expect to fully enjoy the company of your pet if you are unwilling to take care of it. Use the tips below to make sure you and your pet have a happy relationship for years to come.
