Although cats make great pets, they can be expensive. Between vet bills, cat food and litter and cat toys, you may need to reconsider if you can afford a cat. This article has ideas you can use to make living with a cat cheaper and easier.
Ensure that your cat goes to the vet often so that they are healthy. They should go in for a routine check-up at least once a year, possibly more if they need important shots. If you notice that your cat appears to be experiencing some sort of illness or injury, do not delay a trip to the vet.
You should get your cat a tagged collar, even if it is not legally required. Cats sometimes travel a bit when outside, and a tag prevents any mishaps due to your cat being lost. Even if the tag just has your phone number, it can be the difference between your pet coming home and being lost forever.
Most cats prefer to be mostly nocturnal. Your cat will probably be very active during the night. Shut the door to your bedroom. This helps to muffle the sounds of nighttime play. You can keep them from bothering you at night and getting your feet while you’re under covers.
Keep smaller children away from pets as they are typically too aggressive. Teach your kid how to properly handle a cat. The objective is to be as gentle as possible with your cat. Cats have weaker bones than dogs and need more gentle treatment.
Make sure you are cautious about leaving a young child alone with a small kitten. Never leave a pet alone with a child who is any younger than five. They simply lack the maturity to comprehend the harm they can potentially do to kittens. As children get older, decide when they show the maturity to handle a small pet.
Speak with other cat owners about any issues you may be having. Though you want to handle problems on your own, you may require advice from others who own cats. Your local veterinarian can be a valuable source of information, but there is also help available online by joining user forums geared toward cat owners.
Don’t think that you can teach a cat to use its litter box. This is the sort of thing which flows naturally. It’s not a good idea to rub your cats paws in litter. Some people think this is the way to train. It isn’t.
Give your cat a good brushing regularly. The act of brushing helps the coat become glossy, and it helps stimulate the skin. You will also decrease the amount of fur throughout your home. Loose hair causes hairballs, a common problem for cats. The hair enters the pet’s stomach and they later cough it up.
If you are thinking about adding another cat to your home, you need to set aside a couple of weeks where you let the animals get used to being around each other. Do not expect an instant friendship. Instead, look for them to hide frequently, hiss and possibly even become physical with each other. If you give them enough time though, chances are good they will befriend each other and enjoy the extra company.
If you want a cat with long hair, be prepared to put in extra time and care. There is no denying that long-haired cats are beautiful, but that beautiful coat takes a lot of work and also means a lot of shedding. Only choose a cat with long hair if you can clean up after it consistently. You should keep in mind that long haired cats are more prone to hairballs.
Do you feel overwhelmed by cat hair everywhere you look? You need to brush your cat regularly, especially if she sheds a lot. Cats that shed a lot need to be brushed more frequently. This can also prevent their coat from becoming matted or tangled.
Litter Box
If kitty stops using its litter box, pay attention. There are a number of health issues that can lead a well-trained cat to urinate in places other than their litter box. A variety of infections and kidney disease can cause your cat to stay away from the box when they suddenly associate it with pain due to their medical condition. If your cat stops using the litter box suddenly, get him to a vet for a visit.
Pets can be pricy to care for and cats aren’t an exception. Cats require a lot of care, almost like an actual human child. Fortunately, you have many options for providing essential care to your cat.