Poet T.S. Eliot once made a quote about cats. Eliot once described cats as a creature on which a household depends, and there’s definitely some truth in his words. A cat enhances any household. If you’ve spent any amount of time browsing the Internet, you probably know that cats aren’t always that agreeable. These tips will help you live comfortably with your cat.
Remove the drape cords from visibility when a cat is in the house. Do not let your cat play with these. If the cords are in loops and the cat jumps into them or plays with them, they could possibly get them caught around their neck. This accident could trap or injure your cat, or even be fatal. To stop this from happening, pin your drapes and hide them out of sight.
Cats can get into even the tiniest of spaces. If they have a collar, this can be a safety issue if they get stuck. Put a breakaway collar on instead. This can make the difference in whether your cat have nine lives or only a couple of them.
Put your cats’ litter box where it is most acceptable to him. The box should be out of the high traffic areas and a good distance from where your cat eats. Make sure it’s properly ventilated to keep smell down. Your cat and your nose will thank you for the effort.
If your cat is excessively meowing, try to figure out why. After some time, you’ll understand why your cat purs or meows based on what she wants. They may want outside or may be hungry. Getting to know your cats cues will help you to interpret her meows.
Be careful when leaving your cat with your children. If a child is under the age of five, you should not leave the pet alone with them. Younger children cannot fully understand how to properly handle a small pet. Once the child grows up a little, he might be more able to handle the kitten.
Don’t try and teach your kitty how the litter box is supposed to be used. This is a natural instinct that cannot be taught. Many people believe that taking your cat to the box and rubbing their paws in the litter is a good idea, but it may actually traumatize them.
Make sure your cat has identification and a collar all the time. This is crucial even if the cat lives inside. The lure of an open door or window is very attractive to your curious cat. The identification tags should contain your home phone number and the number for your veterinarian. This is also important if your cat has special medical needs.
Litter Box
Make sure that the litter box placement is easy for your cat to get to. You may believe that the litter box should be kept in a small place so that you won’t smell it. However, your cat’s litter box needs to stay in an easily accessible place so that he can find it. Your cat will use the litter box if it is placed in a quiet place and away from smells your cat does not enjoy. If you keep the litter box on a cold cement floor, put a mat or rug down underneath it.
If you notice that your cat isn’t using its’ litter box anymore, you need to take note. Many feline health conditions can cause a cat to urinate and defecate in random places outside of their litter box. Bladder troubles, kidney ailments, or infections can all cause this sort of behavior. When your cat stops using the litter box regularly, a call to the vet is definitely in order.
Try relocating your cat’s litter box if it’s refusing to use it. A cat has instincts that tell it when it goes to the bathroom it is vulnerable. This is why a box should be placed in an area that is quiet and safe. Some good places would be basements, laundry rooms, and any other place that doesn’t have a lot of noise and people going in and out.
Your feline friend should always wear a collar and tags with your name and contact information. Even house cats run the risk of getting loose. If your cat were to escape, it’s important for them to get back home safely.
Indoor Cats
If you decide to declaw your cat, never allow it to go outside. An outdoor cat who has been declawed cannot defend itself as well without claws; therefore, you are putting your cat in extreme danger. Indoor cats can be declawed, though. With indoor cats, just remove the front claws. Keep the back claws intact, since they can’t do damage to your furnishings and flooring.
Cat ownership can be challenging at times, but it is always rewarding. Whether you have a cat that’s hyper or one that sleeps too much, you can use the tips above to help you take better care of your cat. Those meows will be replaced with purrs in short order.