Cat ownership can be joyful and rewarding. With great animals comes great responsibility, however, and you are obligated to take care of your pet. The commitment involves many things that you should take into account. Luckily, the article below will illustrate exactly what those responsibilities are. Continue reading to learn some excellent approaches to caring for your feline friends.
Look a local animal shelters for cats. Shelters have tons of great cats and their adoption fee will generally cover necessary vet care. A cat gets a new chance at life and the cat population stays in check with adoption.
Cats love to get into tight, small spaces. A collar can become a liability if your cat is especially adventurous. Breakaway collars will “break” if they’re pulled too tight. This can make the difference in whether your cat have nine lives or only a couple of them.
Put a heated tile beneath the bed of an older cat. You should heat a terra cotta tile with your oven, at about 200 degrees, for around fifteen minutes. Wrap it up in a towel and place it under where your cat sleeps. Switch towels every few hours if you need to.
Don’t use dog products on your cats ever. Some can be quite dangerous, and even deadly, when used on a cat. This is particularly true when it comes to flea treatments. Some products designed for dogs could be harmful to your cat. Make sure to separate your cat from your dog after spraying.
You can also consider outfitting your cat with a chip so you can monitor its whereabouts. Even indoor cats may get out of your home at some point. Even if you put a collar or tag on your cat, be careful as they can wiggle out of these very easily and can be dangerous if they get caught on a foreign object like a tree branch. A microchip will hold the contact information to reach you and it’s only about as big as a piece of rice. Scanners to read pet microchips are available in every town and they will not come out from under the skin.
It’s important that you don’t forget your cat and allow them to become bored too easily. Cats should have a lot of exercise and playtime. This is sadly overlooked by some cat owners. If your cat is bored, it might develop a depression, obsessive compulsive behaviors or ruin some of your furniture. Give them exercise space and a lot of toys. Indoor cats will appreciate having a structure they can climb on or a dedicated scratching post.
When your cat makes a mess somewhere other than their litter box, don’t get mad. It might be happening because you aren’t caring for the box good enough. Punishing your cat will make it afraid of being close to you.
Aired Cat
You should think carefully before getting a long-haired cat. Even though that nice coat of beautiful silky fur looks great, it can leave a mess on your floors, furniture and clothing. If you don’t mind cleaning, get a long-haired cat. It should also be noted that long haired cats are much more susceptible to hairballs.
If your cat is ready to give birth, give her an area to do it in that has plenty of space. Since there are so many kittens, the birthing process can take a few hours. If it drags on for six to eight hours, call your vet immediately to talk to them about it.
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 this occurs, make sure they can return home.
Avoid any products containing phenol around your cats. This chemical is often in Lysol and certain other regular household cleaners. This smell is very offensive to cats, and prolonged exposure can even damage their liver.
Always keep your declawed cat indoors. Without claws, the cat cannot defend against other animals, which can lead to real issues. Declaw your cat if you plan on always having it inside. Even in the case of indoor cats, you should only declaw the front claws. A cat’s back claws are important to his balance.
It’s important to only feed your cat the amount of food that it should have to ensure a healthy life. The extra weight can directly cause health problems now and in the future. Keep an eye on how much your pet is eating, and be sure that their diet is balanced.
Cats get some illnesses that we do. Pay attention to changes in your cat’s mood and behavior as they may be a sign your cat is feeling poorly. If you think something is wrong, visit the vet. The vet can reassure you that your cat isn’t seriously ill.
If the weather gets too bad, you won’t want your cat to stay outdoors in that. Whether it is very cold, very hot, windy, rainy, or snowy, do not leave your cat outside to suffer. When it is bad outside, cats search for a hiding place, which may be under a car’s hood. If you don’t let them inside they could end up getting lost after bad weather.
The potential benefits of cat ownership are, it’s worth stating again, numerous and wide-reaching. If you want them to live a happier and longer life, however, you must care for them properly. If you’re ready to take the plunge and adopt a feline companion, keep this article’s information handy!