Intelligence, grace, and occasional affection. Cats are absolutely wonderful animals and make excellent pets. Feline friends are a lot to handle however, but this article is here to help. This article is filled with useful tips every cat owner should know about. Read on to get some great tips!
Drape Cords
Don’t let your cat near drape cords. Cats love to play with hanging cords and this poses the threat of your cat hurting themselves or becoming entangled. This could cause injury or death. Keep your drape cords pinned out of sight to prevent this.
Cats love to squeeze into tiny spots. A collar can become a liability if your cat is especially adventurous. A breakaway collar let’s go if pulled on tightly. This kind of collar can turn a potentially-dangerous situation into a merely exasperating one.
A heated tile for underneath your cat’s bed can provide real comfort. 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 it up in a towel and place it under where your cat sleeps. Change it regularly if you need to.
If you have an outdoor cat, be sure he or she has a tagged collar. Cats can get lost, and they need a tag to be found. The tag should contain your phone number as well as your cat’s name.
Cats can use their claws to destroy furniture and other parts of the house. If your beloved feline friend is shredding and damaging parts of your home, try investing in a cat tower or a scratching post. They can scratch the post instead. It might not happen overnight, but the problem should eventually stop.
Litter Box
The cat’s litter box should be placed in the right spot. Do not place it in a busy area or close to where your cat eats meals. To minimize odors, keep it in a spot that’s well ventilated. Your cat is certain to appreciate a litter box that is put into a good location.
Cats sometimes will spend hours grooming themselves to perfection. If the cat has longer hair, it can be the cause of hairballs. To fix this problem, you can try buying a new food. Some foods contain extra oils and nutrients, specifically designed to prevent or diminish hairball concerns.
Crystals form in urine from male cats. This can be prevented with good food choices. Your cat will experience considerable pain when he has to pass these crystals, and it’s not an easy (or cheap) problem for your veterinarian to fix. Choose a low magnesium food. Consult the ingredient list. Poultry-based foods are generally lower in magnesium than fish.
Cat Outside
You should think again before allowing your cat to go outside. Letting your cat outside greatly increases his risk level. You cat can get fleas and contract diseases. Additionally, your cat is likely to be injured by cars or other animals. If you allow your cat outside, make sure you live in a reasonably safe area.
Understand that leaving a small kitten together with small children can be dangerous to both. A child under five should not be left alone with a pet. Most of them simply aren’t mature enough to grasp the concept of danger to themselves or the animal. When your children age, you will realize when they’re able to deal with a pet.
Acclimate your cat to a cat carrier. Dogs and cats will respond differently to punishment. They need positive reinforcement. Leave your cat carrier open and put a few special toys inside. Over time, the cat will feel comfortable and go inside the carrier. Let it happen naturally or with only mild coaxing. Do not get angry. Then, you will have no problem using the carrier.
Cats need to play! No matter what age, play is common among cats and other animals. While older cats have less energy than their younger counterparts, they can still play a little. Enjoy your cat every day.
Your cat’s choice to potty outside the litter box could signal something more worrisome than misbehavior. There are a number of health conditions that can make your kitty urinate and go to the bathroom in places other than the litter box. For example, the behavior may be caused by an infection of the kidneys or bladder. Talk to the vet when your cat goes to the bathroom where they shouldn’t.
Happy dogs wag their tail. Cats wag their tails, but definitely not for the same reason. In cats, wagging of the tail tends to indicate conflict or anxiety. If you notice you cat begin to wag his tail when you are holding him, put him down to be sure you are not scratched or swatted.
Your diet isn’t necessarily the best thing for your cat; some foods just aren’t good for them. Examples of problem foods include garlic, green tomatoes, onions and grapes. Your cat can get sick after eating these foods. Even though everyone knows that cats love milk, this can actually cause a cat to have an upset stomach.
If possible, have your cat eat dry food. As kittens, cats require wet food because of their tiny teeth. However, as their teeth grow, the hardness of dry food allows their teeth to get stronger. If you have an extremely finicky cat, you could mix dry and wet food together.
It’s important to only feed your cat the amount of food that it should have to ensure a healthy life. It can lead to obesity, diabetes and other health related problems. Keep an eye on how much your pet is eating, and be sure that their diet is balanced.
You now are aware of some excellent cat-care tips. This should improve the relationship with your pet. When you take good care of your cat, they’ll love you that much more. Use these tips to see for yourself.