If you own a cat, it is a beloved family member. Since this is the case, you owe it to your feline friend to be a responsible owner and protect it from dangers like infections and parasites. The article below can help you in caring for your cat. You can learn how to keep your cat safe from them in this article.
Cats like to get into all sorts of small spaces. If they are wearing a collar this can pose a safety risk, in the event that your cat gets stuck. Collars designed to release when sufficient force is applied (“breakaway” collars) are a great idea. This could save your cat’s life!
Female Cat
Spay your female cat. This is true even if you think your cat is indoors only. One escape can lead to a lot of small kittens around! Your best bet is to have your female cat spayed.
It’s not easy to keep cats off counters. Cats enjoy heights, as they can monitor events from their perch. You can try to combat this problem by designating some high-up places for your cat to hang out. Putting a cat tower in or near the kitchen can help keep the cats from laying on the counter.
Microchip your cat. You never know when your cat could get away from you. Other measures like tags and collars are better than nothing, but your cat may wriggle out of them or they may be torn off by outdoor hazards. A microchip about as big as a grain of rice and holds all the contact information your cat needs. Most shelters and veterinarians can scan your pet to read the information on the chip, and the chip cannot be lost since it is beneath the skin.
Cats will often devote most of their time to grooming. When your cat has long hair, this can cause hairballs. To help your cat out with this problem, try buying him special food. Some cat food brands have formulations to prevent or reduce hairballs, which will make life easier for your cat and you.
Male felines tend to get crystals in the urine that can be prevented with proper diet. These crystals can cause a lot of pain to your cat and could end up costing you a lot in medical expenses. Your cat needs food low in magnesium. Check the ingredients list on the label. Cat food with lots of fish tends to have more magnesium, while products with lots of poultry tend to have less.
Many times, cat meds can be purchased on the internet for less than they’d cost if you got them from your vet. You can’t always get it online. However, if you buy meds for your cat on a regular basis, you can save huge amounts by getting medication via the Internet.
Cats generally will meow for a reason. You need to learn what their meows mean. The cat may want something to eat or to get let out. Getting to know your cats cues will help you to interpret her meows.
Speak with other cat owners about any issues you may be having. It’s possible that you could solve the problem on your own, but why deny help from others? You can find several cat forums online where you can ask questions, or you can choose to simply call your vet for advice too.
Make sure that you brush your cat’s coat often. This keeps the fur well oiled and the skin healthy. It can also reduce the amount of loose hair they have. This prevents hairballs, which can cause choking, and builds up in the cat’s stomach from self grooming.
If your cat’s scratching post looks old and worn, don’t throw it away immediately. Cats typically like older posts compared to newer posts. Tossing it and getting a new one may cause your cat to find something old to scratch like your furniture.
Consider buying your cat a special drinking fountain. Cats normally look to drink from running water. This is true in the wild or at home. Streaming water is your best bet. Cats will even drink from the tap if they can! Fountains keep the water cool and clean.
Your cat needs good play time. After all, everyone likes to play. A cats energy might fade over time, but that does not mean that it no longer likes to play. Playing with your cat will help you to form happy and cherished memories to look back on.
Before bringing home a long-haired cat, consider the extra care involved. While long, silky hair is beautiful on a cat, the same fur appears far less beautiful covering your floor, dark clothing, and furniture. Unless you are prepared to do more cleaning, don’t buy a long haired cat. Long haired cats often have hairball problems.
Stay current on your cat’s exams and vaccinations. Similar to kids, cats need shots and check-ups to prevent health problems. Your cat is part of your family, and you should treat him as you would any other well-loved member of your household.
If a cat is about to give birth, provide them an area that’s spacious. It can take several hours for the process to unfold and all kittens to be born, so be prepared to spend some time with your cat. You should take your cat to the vet if deliveries lasts for more than five or six hours.
There are certain human foods that you should never feed to cats. Some of these foods are green tomatoes, grapes, onions and garlic. These foods are healthy for humans, but they can make cats very sick. Your cat should also steer clear of dairy products.
Don’t give cats human medication. If your cat is ill, you need to take him to the vet to get proper treatment. Using human medicine for your cat is harmful and can even cause their death.
Cats, like many other pets, are susceptible to different parasites. These parasites won’t go away until you take action. Use some of the solid ideas in the article above to make sure your pet cat stays healthy. Use them to better your cat’s life.
