Owning a cat can be an incredible experience. It is naturally a lot of work as well. With cat ownership, comes many responsibilities. The article presented here has a lot of useful (and even vital information) for anyone who has or plans to get a cat. Read them to keep your cat strong and happy.
If you plan on getting a cat for a pet, try looking into a local shelter. Many shelters have more cats than they can handle and the fees associated with adoption take care of vet visits. Rescuing a cat can end up making a big difference in both of your lives.
Make sure your cat is regularly visiting the vet for checkups. Your vet can give you an idea of your cat’s overall health, in addition to administering any shots it may need. Do your best to use the same vet for your cat’s entire life. That way, the doctor will be familiar with the history of your cat.
Put a heated tile beneath the bed of an older cat. Just get a tile and heat it up in the oven for a while to place under the cat’s bed. Keep the temperature of the oven at 200 degrees. Place it in an older towel and place it underneath of the feline’s bed. If necessary, change this out every few hours.
Your cat can devastate your furniture with its claws. If you find your cat tearing up things around your home, buy a scratching post or cat tower. Teach your cat to scratch this instead of the legs of a couch or sofa. This solution might take time to take, but it will help in the end.
Never let your cat experience frequent boredom. Although you may believe that cats just lie around, this isn’t the case. They need their exercise. Many owners just don’t have time. Cats who get bored can actually become depressed or display other undesirable behaviors. Therefore, ensure your cat has enough space for exercising and playing. You need to provide your cats with something they can climb and scratch.
Cats are often nocturnal creatures. It is likely that they will want to play while you are sleeping. Close the door to prevent the noise from getting to you. You can keep them from bothering you at night and getting your feet while you’re under covers.
Give your cat plenty of love and affection. They give us love, and we need to return it to them. Like people, cats like to socialize and need to feel like they’re an essential part of your life. They wish to be a happy and valuable family member.
Feeding your male cat the proper food can help prevent crystals from forming in his urine. These crystals can cause a lot of pain to your cat and could end up costing you a lot in medical expenses. Choose a cat food with low magnesium content. Read the labels. Fish-based foods usually contain more magnesium than poultry-based foods.
Set a tablecloth under your cat’s food bowl. Cat’s will often remove food from their bowl to eat it. This means food spillage that you will have to clean later. To make clean up a breeze, use a place mat underneath the bowl or a piece of fabric. You’ll be able to pick it up easily and shake the excess food into the trash.
Are you the proud owner of both a cat and dog? Dogs will generally try to eat the cat’s food whenever the opportunity comes along. You should keep your cat food away from the dog. This also has the effect of stopping fights over the water before they start.
Help your cat get accustomed to the carrier. Cats and dogs do not usually respond the same ways to punishment. They respond better to encouragement. Take their favorite blanket and place it within the carrier. Then leave the carrier with the door ajar in a frequented spot. Soon that cat will walk into the carrier on its own. As the cat becomes used to being in the carrier, it will become easier to transport them in it.
You cat should get cat food that is of a good quality. Pay attention to the ingredient list on any food you feed them. Protein needs to be one of the very first items on the list, while fillers like corn and other grains should be avoided. The foods to avoid are those with a large amount of corn and low amounts of 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.
It is important for a cat to have play time. It is pretty normal for all different types of species to have an inner desire to play. Older cats may not have much energy, but they still like to play. Take the time to play and have a little fun with your kitty.
Think about how much extra care is entailed in bringing a long-haired cat into your home. The hair may be a gorgeous thing to behold, but it will require a lot of maintenance. Don’t get such a cat unless you are prepared for the extra commitment they take over regular cats. Additionally, consider that longer-haired cats are more likely to have issues with hairballs.
Litter Box
Think about where you want to put the litter box. It’s sometimes tempting to put the box somewhere that you don’t have to smell or see it. However, it’s important to make sure your cat can easily access its litter box. Cats are finicky, so you must provide an environment that is not inconvenient or off-putting to the animal. For example, a rug or mat is a good way to make a litter box placed on a concrete floor more attractive to your cat.
As mentioned earlier, you benefit from having a cat. But to ensure your pet stays healthy and happy, you must give it the care it needs. Make certain to apply your new-found knowledge if you are thinking about adding a feline to your family.