If you own a cat, it is a beloved family member. That’s why you should do everything you can to make sure that they don’t get fleas, ticks, and other parasites. Knowing more about cat care can make your relationship more enjoyable. Keep reading to better care for your cat.
If you have drape cords in your home, keep them away from your cats. You should not allow your cat to play with drape cords since they could end up with the cord wrapped around their neck. This could hurt or kill them. To stop this from happening, pin your drapes and hide them out of sight.
Check your local animal shelter if you have plans to get a cat. Shelters are filled with beautiful cats, and the fee for adoption will basically cover the needed vet care. Adopting your cat through a shelter means you are helping to control the cat population and saving a life at the same time.
Good grooming is important for cats. They need to be brushed every day. Doing it constantly can help you keep their coats clean. Removing excess hair also reduces shedding and can prevent hairballs. Keeping a cat groomed properly can help them and your home look great.
If your cat is getting older, you can increase it’s comfort by placing its bed over a heated tile. Place a tile made of terra cotta or a similar material in an oven heated to 200 degrees for around 15 to 20 minutes. Wrap the tile in a towel and then put it under the bed. Replace it every three hours or so.
Kitchen Counter
Enticing kitty to stay off the kitchen counter is sometimes challenging. Cats enjoy going into high places so that they can see what’s going on around the house. Making a place high-up for your cat can solve this issue. Keep your cats off the kitchen counter by placing their towers near the kitchen or even in it.
Don’t allow your cat to get bored too often. Every cat needs exercise time and play! Sadly, this can be easily overlooked. Cats who get bored can actually become depressed or display other undesirable behaviors. Spend time playing with them, and go through a variety of toys to find ones they like and will play with while you’re busy, too. If they are indoors, give them a scratching post or something to climb on.
Be especially mindful of your cat’s ears when you take them on a trip. You cat is used to being at home and it might shock him to hear you singing at the top of your lungs. To keep you cat from feeling nervous, keep the volume at a lower level. A trip is already stressful for a pet.
Do all you can to figure out what’s causing your cat to meow. If you stay around a cat for a period of time you will figure out what their verbal cues mean. The cat might want something to eat, or just to go outside. Getting to know your cats cues will help you to interpret her meows.
Talk to people you know about any cat problems you’re having. It’s possible that you could solve the problem on your own, but why deny help from others? Your local veterinarian can be a valuable source of information, but there is also help available online by joining user forums geared toward cat owners.
You shouldn’t be training your cats for litter box use. Cats instinctively understand what to do and teaching is not required. Contrary to what most people believe, it’s actually incorrect to rub a cat’s paw in the litter.
Canned food is usually the best option for your cat. Dry food is less expensive, but canned food provides more benefits. Canned food will give your cat more water, fat and protein. For aging cats, it is also easier to chew. Talk to your vet, but canned food is generally superior for your cat.
If you’re adding an additional cat to your home, give the cats a few weeks to get to know each other. The cats might hiss, swat and hide from each other at first. Over time, though, they will learn to tolerate each other and eventually form a close bond.
It may be time to take your cat to see the vet if it begins urinating more frequently and in places besides its litter box. This may be a symptom of an infection of the urinary tract or another health problem in your cat. Inexpensive antibiotics generally clear this right up.
Stay current on your cat’s exams and vaccinations. Just like kids, kittens must have wellness checks and immunizations periodically to keep health issues and diseases from coming up later. You have made your cat a family member, and you have to treat your cat accordingly.
If kitty stops using its litter box, pay attention. There are conditions that will cause a kitty to do this. For example, the behavior may be caused by an infection of the kidneys or bladder. Ask your vet if your cat begins missing the litter box.
Try moving your litter box somewhere else if the cat won’t use it. A cat knows that when it’s going to the bathroom it’s in a vulnerable situation, so you should make sure the box is in a calm, secure location. Some great examples of such locations are basements, laundry rooms or any other less frequently used room in your home.
Your pet cat, like all others, runs the risk of attracting parasites. If you do not take action to ensure your cat’s health, the results can be disastrous for both of you. You can take measures to get rid of or even prevent parasites. This will make life happier for your cat and you, too.