For those who don’t know, feral cats live in the streets. Cats are great to have around and millions of people all around the world are enjoying them as pets right now. You should keep reading if you want to learn more about what owning a cat means.
To help your old cat feel comfy, keep a tile that’s heated under their bed. You can heat a terracotta tile in the oven at 200 degrees for about 15-20 minutes. Wrap this in a towel that’s old and then place it under the bed the cat sleeps on. If possible, re-heat several times throughout the night.
Do not use dog products on your cat. Cats usually react negatively to items made especially for dogs. This definitely applies to flea products. Using dog flea products on your cat can kill them. Your cat needs to be away from the dog after your dog has received a flea treatment.
If your cat goes outside, it is important to have a collar with a tag. If your cat gets lost during its time outdoors, a tag makes it easier to locate the animal. At least put your phone number and pets name on the tag.
A microchip for your cat is something that you should really consider. One day, your indoor cat might leave through an open door or get outside through an open window. A collar with tags increases your chances of getting your cat back if it gets lost but it can also be a risk, for instance if it gets snagged in some branches. A microchip will hold the contact information to reach you and it’s only about as big as a piece of rice. Nearly all veterinarians and shelters now have scanners capable of reading the information on these chips, and since they are under the skin, there is no chance of the chip getting lost.
Be careful if you leave a kitten with a young child. A cat should not be left alone with a child under five years of age. They are just not mature enough to understand the danger they can pose for the kitten. Wait until your child gets older, and pay close attention to whether or not they’re mature enough to hold or handle a tiny pet.
Cat Owners
Speak with other cat owners about any issues you may be having. Although you may feel like you don’t need help, other owners may be able to give you good advice. There are a number of message boards for cat owners on the Internet, or you can go to your vet with problems.
Do not punish your cat if they make a mess in the area outside of the litter box. It might be happening because you aren’t caring for the box good enough. If the cat is punished for this, they may become afraid of being around you.
Feeding them lots of different foods can lower their chances of becoming finicky eaters. By giving them one kind of food all the time, it will be all they want to eat.
Keep old, worn scratching posts. When a post is worn, your cats may enjoy it more. When you bring in a new post, the cat may ignore it.
You need to buy some quality food for your cat. Read the ingredient label, and make sure a protein from meat tops the list. Stay way from cat foods made of corn or any other ingredients that aren’t based in protein. Cats are carnivores, so if you want them to be as healthy as possible, you need to be sure they’re eating enough animal protein.
Aired Cat
Think about how much extra care is entailed in bringing a long-haired cat into your home. Although it may look nice, it will look much worse when it sheds all over your home. Realize the extra effort needed to keep a long-haired cat. Long-haired cats are also more prone to hairballs.
Some foods are not permissible to serve to your cat. Some of these foods are green tomatoes, grapes, onions and garlic. When a cat eats these items, they can get very sick. Milk can also upset your cats’ stomach.
Don’t let a cat that’s had its claws removed go outside. Cats without claws cannot stand up for themselves if they encounter another animal. The result could be injuries or death. Indoor cats can be declawed, though. It is still best to just remove the front claws. The back claws should remain as they will not scratch furniture or floors.
Preventing hairballs can help keep your cat sanitary and safe. You can try blending a spoon of pumpkin into her food. Another thing that works is a one teaspoon of the water that’s in a tuna can mixed with the pumpkin. Your hairball concerns can also be addressed with specially-formulated cat food. Many blends include extra fiber to prevent hairball formation.
Place some sticky tape on your furniture. This can deter your cat from scratching the upholstery. You can even get this kind of a tape from a pet store. By keeping your furniture covered with tape and getting a scratching post put up, you will get your cat to scratch that instead.
Now you should have no trouble helping your cat to have the best life it possibly can. They can cause damage to your yard or attack your pets. It takes a certain level of basic preparation and know-how to handle a cat properly. Cats, whether feral or indoor, deserve a loving home.