Owning a cat can be wonderful, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy to get along with! You’ll need to understand how to feed and groom your cats, and the tips contained in this article will help you get a handle on that.
Check with your shelter before you purchase a cat. Shelters have tons of great cats and their adoption fee will generally cover necessary vet care. Adopting from a pet shelter benefits the cat population.
Scratching Post
Your home furnishings can fall victim to your cat’s sharp claws. If your couch is starting to look like it’s been put through a shredder, it’s time to invest in a nice scratching post or cat tower. Redirect your cat to the scratching post when they start to go after your furniture. Catnip can be put in the posts or on the tower to help train the cat to use it. This approach takes time, but it usually works.
Put your cats’ litter box where it is most acceptable to him. Try to keep it away from areas of household traffic and away from your cat’s eating areas. It is also advisable to keep the litter box area ventilated to control odor. This will keep both you and your cat happy.
Make sure your cat gets lots of love. They give us love, and we need to return it to them. Cats need social time with the family just like people do so that they know that they are valued. They probably would like to feel as though they are a wanted part of the family.
Cats sometimes will spend hours grooming themselves to perfection. If the cats hair is too long, this is what causes hairballs. If you’ve got a cat with this issue, get it special types of food. Some cat foods are specially formulated to help reduce hairballs, which is good for both you and your pet.
Make sure that you have a good tablecloth for your kitten. Often cats prefer moving food from a bowl onto the floor to eat. This leaves food on the floor outside their bowl that must be cleaned. Put a placemat under the bowl, or even some fabric so cleaning up is a snap.
There needs to be set boundaries with your children and a new kitty. Make sure the children know where the cat is and is not allowed to roam. If your have an indoor-only cat, be sure the kids understand that the cat is not to go outside. Creating rules and boundaries will help the children learn what is allowed.
If you want to let your cat outside, think again. This can put your cat in an unsafe position. It takes mere minutes for your cats to pick up fleas, be bitten by a tick or something far worse. There is the possibility they may get injured by another animal, even people and cars too. If you still insist your cat be able to go outside, then do so in the fenced backyard.
Always watch a kitten around small kids. Younger children, especially under 5, cannot be left alone with your cat. The maturity level isn’t there when it comes to your child. As your child matures, carefully consider whether a small pet is safe with them.
Cats have a love affair with heights. For a truly happy cat, provide a safe place for your cat to survey his surroundings. You can give your cat on a shelf to accomplish this. For an additional treat, put a little bed or blanket in there, too.
Use a brush on your cat regularly. It helps with blood flow, and it also moves the natural oils around in the fur. Also, it helps manage loose hair. Brushing eliminates the formation of hairballs which may choke your cat and lead to buildup of excess hair in the abdomen when the cat grooms himself.
Provide your cat with a drinking fountain. Your cat will prefer drinking from running water since this is a natural behavior. Streaming water is much easier for your cat to take in. You could even consider turning on your sink a few times a day to let your cat drink from the faucet. Also, drinking fountains are more environmentally friendly and gives them the ability to drink naturally.
Make canned food the mainstay of your cat’s diet. It is usually more expensive than dry food, but it is more beneficial. Canned food gives your cat more protein and the water content helps with hydration. For older feline’s, it’s also quite a lot easier to chew. Can food is generally better, but consult your vet first before feeding it to your cat.
Your cat should always wear a collar and ID tag. This applies even to indoor cats. Cats can be very curious and they may escape out of a door or a window. Tags that list your contact number and vet’s name need to be worn. This will be important especially if you have a cat with medical issues.
Aired Cats
Long-haired cats require more care than their short-haired comrades. While the long hair on a cat is beautiful, it doesn’t look so beautiful all over your home. Don’t get such a cat unless you are prepared for the extra commitment they take over regular cats. Long-haired cats usually suffer from hairball problems too.
It may seem easy to take care of your cat, but perhaps you don’t know everything you need to know just yet. If you follow the advice in this article you can be a great cat owner. All your research will pay off for both of you!