Cats are in a class of their own when it comes to animals. They are by far one of the best pets for the home. Cats can be terrifically fun, and they can also take care of vermin in your home. Critters fear cats; they can be very valuable to have around the house.
When considering a new pet, make sure you visit the area shelter first. Shelters always have plenty of cats available and adoption fees are usually very affordable. Adopting your cat through a shelter means you are helping to control the cat population and saving a life at the same time.
Check prices online for your cat’s medication to see if they are cheaper than at your vet’s office. Sometimes, you may need the medicine immediately though. The savings can amount to almost 50 percent on regularly prescribed medications.
Create a little tablecloth for your cat. Cats often like to remove food from their bowl to eat it off to the side. This habit means you will end up with cat food on the floor to clean up. Think about putting a placemat underneath the bowl or make your own tablecloth out of fabric.
Take care if you leave a kitten with youngsters. Children under 5 years of age should not be alone with the 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.
If you are experiencing an issue with your feline friend, seek advice from others. Although you might want to take care of things on your own, advice from other people with cats can be a big help. You can find several cat forums online where you can ask questions, or you can choose to simply call your vet for advice too.
Litter Box
Never try to teach a cat to use a litter box. Using the litter box is instinctual for cats, and they require no training. 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.
If you want to buy a second cat, prepare for some time where the cats will be familiarizing themselves with each other. They might have conflict, hide from each other or swat one another. Over time, though, they will learn to tolerate each other and eventually form a close bond.
Play is an important part of a cat’s life. Many animals like to play, and that includes humans and cats. Older cats might not be quite as energetic as they used to be, but light play can still be fun for them. Make sure you play with your cat at least once a day.
Be aware whenever your cat suddenly quits using its litter box. Health problems may be causing your cat to urinate in places other than their litter box. This is especially true if the cat has kidney or bladder problems. Call your veterinarian right away if your cat doesn’t use the litter box.
Giving Birth
When your cat is close to giving birth, provide a spacious area for her. Giving birth to all the kittens can take hours, so you shouldn’t expect things to be over and done with quickly. If the birth takes an excessively long time or you believe a kitten is stuck inside, an immediate visit to the veterinary hospital is essential.
Your cat will thank you if you avoid phenol in your cleaning products. Phenol is found in common products such as Pine-Sol, Lysol, and various other cleaners. Cats hate the smell of phenol and continuously exposing them to it could cause liver problems later in their lives.
All cats have a strong sense of smell; therefore, they easily smell changes in your home. It can occur when something new is introduced to the home, like a new water bowl, scratching post or bed. Your cat will probably not like these items immediately; therefore, be patient. As your cat starts to smell new things in the home, it will get into them sooner or later.
A cat can get lonely when your daily routine changes and you are no longer home during the day. Therefore, in order to keep your cat happy and active, you need to consider obtaining another cat.
One easy way to prevent a lot of potential feline health problems down the road is to refrain from over-feeding your cat. Overeating can cause your cat to get very sick, in addition to becoming obese. Do not overfeed your cat and follow your vet’s recommendations on the types of foods to feed him.
If the thought of your cat getting rabies, being subjected to fungus or catching fleas worries you, do not allow him to go outside. Outdoor cats are much more likely to encounter these type of dangers than cats who are kept inside.
Watch out for holes near your home that you don’t want your cat to hide in. Cats can wriggle into surprisingly small spaces. Especially kittens. When you bring a new cat or kitten to your home, be conscious of this hazard. Cover up or repair any sizable holes you find.
A cat may not be just like a dog, but they are a great addition to a family. Cats have any number of ways to contribute to family life, from providing love and affection to keeping vermin populations down. This makes cats extremely popular with owners.
