Cats make great animal friends, but they’re not exactly maintenance-free. Vet bills, toys, food, and cat litter costs can make anyone reconsider owning cats. For ideas to improve your cat’s health and happiness, read on.
Don’t let your cat near drape cords. You should not allow your cat to play with drape cords since they could end up with the cord wrapped around their neck. This could cause injury or death. Secure your cords so they are out of the way and out of sight.
Making sure your cat doesn’t jump on the counters is hard to do. A cat will naturally want to be high enough to view everything around them. Provide your cat with a few high places it can uses. Placing a cat tower by the kitchen can keep cats from getting on counters.
Have your cat chipped so you can find him if he runs away. Indoor cats could run out your door or jump out the window. Collars and tags can help get your cat home, however cats are experts at wiggling out of these, not to mention the risk they pose if they were to get snagged on a bush or tree branch. A microchip will hold the contact information to reach you and it’s only about as big as a piece of rice. These days, pretty much all shelters and vet offices have scanners that can read these chips, and because they’re beneath your pet’s skin, they won’t ever get lost.
The litter box for your cat needs to be in a good location. Do not place it in a busy area or close to where your cat eats meals. The area should also be well ventilated so that it doesn’t smell too badly. Both you and your pet will appreciate that.
Always provide your feline with special attention and affection. Cats provide warmth and affection, and they also require the same from you. Your cat needs to socialize and get plenty of attention from everyone in your family. Make them feel at home.
Be sure you think about your cat’s ears when traveling. You may love belting out your favorite tunes as you drive on the freeway, but your cat probably enjoys softer sounds. Reduce the volume of the music and keep the windows up; let your cat rest!
Use a tablecloth underneath your cat’s dish. Cat’s will often remove food from their bowl to eat it. This creates extra work since you must then clean up the leftover loose food. You can also use any type of mat underneath your cat’s eating apparatus to reduce the mess.
Cats generally will meow for a reason. After some time, you’ll understand why your cat purs or meows based on what she wants. Your cat might need food or might want to go out. You should pay attention to these cues and you will eventually learn to decipher them.
Cats do not need to be taught how they should use the cat litter box. This comes naturally – you can’t teach it. Some thing that rubbing a cats paws in litter is smart, but it can actually cause them mental trauma.
Take the time to make your cat familiar and comfortable with a carrier. The same response to punishment that you would expect from a dog does not apply to a cat. They are much better with encouragement. Placing some of your cats favorite items in the carrier can really help. This will teach your cat that the carrier is a good thing. This will make getting the cat inside easier later.
You cat will not be likely to be a finicky eater if you vary the type of food you are feeding from time to time. If you feed them the same thing day in and day out, it will be the only thing that they are able to eat later on down the road.
Although you might find its appearance unappealing, don’t toss a scratching post when it’s getting particular worn and frazzled. Your cat will enjoy the post most when it has been well used. If you toss it away in favor of something newer, your cat may look for something older to scratch, and that may end up being your furniture.
Your cat’s choice to potty outside the litter box could signal something more worrisome than misbehavior. There are a number of medical issues that can cause your cat to suddenly stop using their box. Some common issues are bladder and kidney problems. Contact your veterinarian if your pet abandons its litter box.
Be aware of any panting. Dogs normally do pant. Panting can be an indicator of health problems in your cat. Call your vet, especially if you cat has a history of respiratory problems.
Dry food is a good choice for your cat. Small kittens do well on wet food, since their teeth are small. Once they grow adult teeth, they benefit from chewing dry food. Try also mixing together dry and wet food if you’ve got a picky cat.
Cats may be affected by the same illnesses humans get. Your cat lives in your household so you are more aware that it is not feeling well than anyone else. Have a vet look at your cat if you suspect this. This is the best way to rule out any serious illnesses.
Some cat owners may wish to keep their cat well groomed and bathe them to keep them cleaner. But unlike dogs, bathing is not often necessary, unless the cat has gotten himself into a little bit of trouble somehow. Cats frequently groom themselves by using their tongues that are specifically designed to remove dirt. Cats tend to be obsessed with the way that they look.
Caring for your cat is fun but it can also be a lot of work. There are so many things to do that it is akin to having a child. Although, there are many ways that you can reduce the expenses for your cat and care for it in the way that it deserves.
