Cats are amazing. If you own a cat, you must learn as much as possible about caring for your pet so that it can lead a long and happy life. Carefully read over this article to learn some excellent tips on raising a cat successfully.
Check your local animal shelter if you have plans to get a cat. Shelters have tons of great cats and their adoption fee will generally cover necessary vet care. Adopting your cat at a shelter allows you to save a cat’s life while also helping mitigate overpopulation.
You might find that your cat sleeps all day and wants to be active at night. Your cat will probably be very active during the night. One way to deal with a kitten’s playful activity at night is just to shut your door. This can keep them from waking you up at night and from pouncing on feet under the blankets.
Give your cat lots of attention and love. Cats need companionship as much as we do. Your cat needs to socialize and get plenty of attention from everyone in your family. They want to know they are a valuable part of the family too.
Male cats may develop crystals in the urine, which usually occur as a result of a poor diet. Passing those crystals hurts and having this corrected by a vet is expensive. Choose a cat food low in magnesium. Take a look at the food’s label. Products including fish have a higher magnesium content then poultry based products.
If you’re taking kitty on a road trip, don’t play loud music. You may love belting out your favorite tunes as you drive on the freeway, but your cat probably enjoys softer sounds. Keep your music off, and talk to your cat instead.
Create a tablecloth for the feline. Often cats prefer moving food from a bowl onto the floor to eat. This can result in a mess that needs to be cleaned up. You can also use any type of mat underneath your cat’s eating apparatus to reduce the mess.
When you purchase a kitten for your child, set rules and boundaries beforehand. Let your kids know which rooms your cat is allowed in. If your have an indoor-only cat, be sure the kids understand that the cat is not to go outside. Setting the rules in advance will ensure your children understand.
Avoid letting your cat go outdoors. This can put your cat in an unsafe position. Your cat could get parasites, or worse. Additionally, your cat is likely to be injured by cars or other animals. If your cat really wants to go outside, let it out into a small area in your yard.
Brush your cat on a regular basis. Brushing improves the circulation of your cat and helps spread natural oils in the fur. It can also reduce the amount of loose hair they have. This avoids the hairball problem, which may lead to choking and a buildup of hair in the stomach.
Mix up the food you feed your cat to avoid them becoming a picky eater. If they eat the same food all the time without changing it, that may be the only one they’ll eat later on.
Although you might find its appearance unappealing, don’t toss a scratching post when it’s getting particular worn and frazzled. It’s in this condition that cats tend to love it the most. If you throw it away and replace it too quickly with a new one, they may shun the new one and go after your carpet and furniture.
Litter Box
Think about where you want to put the litter box. You may want to place in some out-of-the-way corner so the smell doesn’t bother anyone. The cat has to be able to easily access the box. To satisfy a cat’s demanding requirements, the litter box needs to be sited somewhere convenient and comfortable. Keeping litter boxes on cement floors that are cold can be remedied by placing a rug or mat under it.
You should try keeping your cat inside or allowing it to go in the backyard. Free-ranging cats who spend most of their time outdoors have a shorter lifespan than those that are raised and accustomed to indoor living. Indoor cats don’t face the diseases and other risks that outdoor cats do.
Never have a declawed cat to spend time outdoors. Cats without claws cannot stand up for themselves if they encounter another animal. The result could be injuries or death. Indoor cats are the only ones that you should declaw. Even then, you should only have the front claws removed. Don’t cut the back claws because they won’t scratch up your furniture or floors.
Panting is a bad symptom. For dogs, panting is completely normal. Panting could mean your cat is dehydrated or nervous, but it could also be a sign of a serious issue. Take the cat to a veterinarian, especially if they’ve experienced previous breathing problems.
Health Issues
Overfeeding your cat can result in serious health issues as he ages. An obese cat is at a high risk for health issues. Take care to feed your cat the correct portion sizes. A balanced, nutritious diet is important.
As stated earlier in this article, cats are great pets. You must stay educated about cat care if you want your cat to remain healthy. Keep these tips in mind as you take care of your cat. Use this information to keep your cat happy and healthy.