Fun, furry, and finicky: three words that perfectly describe cats. From particular diets to nail clippings at vet visits, you need to take care of a lot of different issues when you own one (or more). The following article will offer you expert tips on how to give your cat everything it needs.
Cats are curious by nature, which can end up getting them into trouble. If your cat gets caught on something wearing a traditional collar they could end up hurting their neck trying to break free. A breakaway collar let’s go if pulled on tightly. This can help to save a couple of your cat’s nine lives.
If your cat is outdoors, it needs to have a tagged collar. This way, if your cat gets lost and is found by a stranger, that person will know how to contact you. The tag needs your phone number and cat’s name at the minimum.
It may prove quite a challenge to make your cat stay off counter tops. If your cat is high, he can see everything that is going on. Therefore, you should create high areas for resting. An excellent tool for preventing your cat from jumping on the counter is a cat tower that is in the kitchen.
Make sure your cat is not too bored. Cats need to exercise and play. Too many cat owners forget this simple fact. Cats who get bored can actually become depressed or display other undesirable behaviors. Give them toys they can play with, play with them yourself, or at the least give them room to exercise. If they’re an indoor cat, get them an object to climb on or a scratching post.
Cats are partially nocturnal. Your cat will probably be very active during the night. If your busy kitties are keeping you up into the wee hours, try simply closing your bedroom door. This will keep them from pouncing on you and trying to play in the middle of the night.
Crystals form in urine from male cats. This can be prevented with good food choices. These crystals can cause a lot of pain to your cat and could end up costing you a lot in medical expenses. Let your cat have food that doesn’t have a lot of magnesium in it. Read the ingredient list on the label. Fish products are usually higher in magnesium.
Use a tablecloth underneath your cat’s dish. Sometimes cats like to take food out of the bowl and eat it to the side of the bowl. This can result in a mess that needs to be cleaned up. A simpler way to do this is by getting a place-mat and placing it under their bowl. You can also cut some fabric to make a tablecloth that can be lifted, washed, or shaken over a trash can.
Do you have both a dog and a cat? Dogs take every opportunity they can get to eat the cat’s food. For this reason, you need to place your cat’s bowl in an area that is to high for a dog to reach. This will help you to be sure that the animals won’t fight over the water either after they’ve eaten all their food.
Do not attempt to teach your cat how to use the litter box. This is not something that needs to be taught. In fact, it comes naturally for them. Many people believe that taking your cat to the box and rubbing their paws in the litter is a good idea, but it may actually traumatize them.
If your cat or kitten begins to urinate frequently or in places other than his litter box, a trip to the vet may be in order. Cats sometimes exhibit this type of behavior when they have a urinary tract infection or other health concern. A quick course of antibiotics can head off dangerous complications if you get your cat diagnosed and treated early enough.
If you want a cat with long hair, be prepared to put in extra time and care. Cats are beautiful with hair that is long and silky. Your clothes, floors and furniture aren’t. Realize the extra effort needed to keep a long-haired cat. More, and longer hair, usually means more hairballs too.
Owning a cat means a fair amount of work on your part. With the suggestions provided above, you’ll be in a better position to address your feline friend’s needs and even anticipate them before they can cause problems. Reading this article will better your relationship with your furry friend.