Cats and humans have lived together through the ages. There are many different novels and plays that have cats as the main theme. Knowing this, you can’t blame cats for feeling just a tad superior! In this article, you’ll find some advice that will help you properly raise your cat.
Cats really enjoy squeezing into any and all small spaces. If your cat wears a collar they might get hurt, and stuck. A breakaway collar has the ability to release its hold if the cat pulls tightly on it. This can save all “nine” of your cat’s lives.
Take your cat to the vet every year. A yearly visit for a regular check-up is important, with more frequent visits for shots as required. Don’t hesitate to take your cat to the vet immediately if you notice anything unusual about their health or if they are injured.
You should get your cat a tagged collar, even if it is not legally required. Cats love to roam, so you need to give someone who finds your cat a way to contact you. At the very least, you should include your contact info and the name of your cat on the tag.
You may want to have a microchip implanted in your cat. Even an indoor cat could someday jump through an open window. A tagged collar might help get kitty home, but it can just as easily come off if snagged on a branch. A microchip will hold the contact information to reach you and it’s only about as big as a piece of rice. Every shelter and most veterinarian offices have microchip scanners that can read the chips, and best of all, they chips can’t be lost.
Is your home also the home of both a dog and cat? Dogs will generally try to eat the cat’s food whenever the opportunity comes along. For this reason, you need to place your cat’s bowl in an area that is to high for a dog to reach. This will ensure they don’t fight over food or water, too.
Avoid leaving a kitten alone with small children. Younger children, especially under 5, cannot be left alone with your cat. Their immaturity prevents them from understanding how easily they could hurt the kitten. Once the child grows up a little, he might be more able to handle the kitten.
Cat Owners
You should talk to other pet owners if you have an issue with yours. It can really help to get advice from fellow cat owners. Participate in online discussion boards for cat owners, or pick up the telephone and speak with your vet.
Avoid spending too much time trying to train your cat to utilize its litter box. This comes quite naturally to them and is not something that is learned. A lot of people think that rubbing a cat’s paws in its litter box may help them, but in reality, it can be damaging to them.
Do not punish your cat if they make a mess in the area outside of the litter box. Most of the time when this happens, it is because you are not taking proper care of the box. If you attempt to punish your pet, you may cause fear and resentment–and more accidents!
Make sure your cat always wears identification tags on their collar. This applies even to indoor cats. Cats are naturally curious and a door or window that’s open invites exploration. Tags that list your contact number and vet’s name need to be worn. Also make sure to note any unusual medical requirements.
If you’re like many cat owners, your pet is the center of your universe, or at least your home. Bu, if you make the most of these tips, you should be able to get your cat to understand who really owns the house. Cats are wonderful creatures; apply what you’ve just learned, and you and kitty will get along just fine.