Owning a cat can bring you tremendous joy. However, cats do require special care. There are various responsibilities that cat owners must know. This article has tips from the pros you can’t care for a cat without. Read them to keep your cat strong and happy.
If you want a cat to feel like it’s more comfortable, a heated tile may be able to help. Bake a one-foot tile made from terra cotta in the oven at 200 degrees F for around 15 to 20 minutes. Put it inside a cloth and place underneath your feline’s blanket or bed. Switch towels every few hours if you need to.
Your cat needs a collar and tag if it goes outside. Cats can get lost, and they need a tag to be found. At the very least, you should include your contact info and the name of your cat on the tag.
Spritz a little bitter apple on electrical cords to protect your cats. If your cat happens to be a champion cord-chewer, you’ll need to use cord covers to protect your cords. Use paper towel or wrapping paper rolls to bundle up cords. All thin cords should be put up when you’re not using them.
Don’t let your cat’s days pass without stimulation and excitement! Just like dogs, cats need playtime and physical exercise, too. A lot of cat owners do not keep their cats busy. Bored cats are more prone to depression, obsessive compulsive disorders, as well as many other behavioral issues. Make sure your cats have a wide variety of toys and plenty of room for active play. If you have an indoor cat, provide a kitty gym for them to climb on or a scratching post.
The cat’s litter box should be placed in the right spot. Keep the litter from the cat food, and avoid placing it in a busy area. Put it in a ventilated area to reduce odors. Your cat will be more comfortable and you will too.
Cats are generally great with kids, though small kids may be too rough. It is important that you teach children how to properly interact with a new cat. Demonstrate how to pick up the animal and how to play with it as well. Cats have weaker bones than dogs so should be treated carefully.
Use a tablecloth underneath your cat’s dish. Cats like to make a mess when they eat. If this happens, you’ll have to clear away any excess food that’s left outside. Use a placemat under your cat’s bowl or cut some fabric to create a small tablecloth. Shake the placemat or cloth over the garbage regularly.
You need to establish some boundaries if you are getting a cat for your children. Make sure the children know where the cat is and is not allowed to roam. If you want your cat to stay indoors, then the children must understand the seriousness of never letting it out. Establishing these boundaries ahead of time prevents any confusion.
Don’t leave a kitten with small kids. This is especially true if your child is less than five years old. Little children do not have the necessary skills yet to handle a pet by themselves. Find your child’s age of maturity when it comes to handling pets.
Litter Box
Don’t try to show your feline how to go in the litter box. This comes quite naturally to them and is not something that is learned. Some cat owners believe they should expose their cat to the litter box and rub its paws into the litter; however, this may actually have the opposite effect and make your cat scared of it.
Give your cat a good brushing regularly. This will help stimulate blood flow. It’ll also remove all that loose hair. Avoid the choking that can be a result of hairballs which slowly build up as your cat grooms himself.
Your cat should like their carrier. Cats don’t react to punishment like dogs do. Instead, cats are more likely to respond to words of encouragement. Place a beloved blanket or item inside the carrier and let it stay open near the cat’s usual haunts. This will teach your cat that the carrier is a good thing. Once the cat is comfortable with the carrier, you can transport it easily.
Make sure you consider where you are going to place the cat’s litter box. It might be tempting to have it in a hidden area where you can’t see it or smell it. However, the litter box must be kept in a location that is easily accessible for your pet. Cats can be picky, so you should be sure that you put its litter box in a spot that isn’t difficult to access or unpleasant in some other way. If your litter box location is on a cold floor, you may want to put a rug underneath of the box.
Owning a cat can be very beneficial. Of course, the only way to experience this is to provide everything your cat needs to be healthy and happy. Be sure to use this information if you want to make a cat part of your home.
