Cats are wonderful pets, but it can be expensive to care for them. Veterinarian bills, cat food, cat toys and kitty litter all add up. The following article details how you can own a cat without breaking the bank.
Ensure that you groom your cat regularly and properly. They need to be brushed every day. This will help them maintain a clean and healthy coat. Removing excess hair also reduces shedding and can prevent hairballs. Keeping a cat well groomed basically helps keep them looking their best, along with your home.
An outdoor cat must always wear a tag on its collar. This can help if your cat becomes lost while wandering in the great outdoors. Be sure that the pet’s name and also your home number are on the tag.
Cats are nocturnal animals. This refers to the fact that they are usually more active at night. If your cats are busy keeping you awake early, just close your bedroom door. This will ensure you sleep much better, without cats jumping into bed with you.
The correct location is important when picking a spot for a cat’s litter box. Don’t put it close to your cat’s food or in an area that gets too much traffic. Additionally, don’t make the mistake of putting it in a poorly-ventilated area, or the smell will become overpowering. You and your cat will greatly appreciate this.
Crystals in the urine, an issue many male cats have, can be avoided with the proper food. Passing those crystals hurts and having this corrected by a vet is expensive. Choose a low magnesium food. The best way to find out is to read the label. Poultry products are typically lower in magnesium than fish products.
Cats are generally great with kids, though small kids may be too rough. Show your kids the proper way to handle cats. The objective is to be as gentle as possible with your cat. Cat’s bones aren’t quite as strong as dogs, so they must be treated gingerly.
Discuss any issues you have with your pet with others. It’s possible that you could solve the problem on your own, but why deny help from others? Participate in online discussion boards for cat owners, or pick up the telephone and speak with your vet.
Brush your pet often. This will spread all of their natural oils around and help their blood flow. It can also reduce the amount of loose hair they have. This helps keep those hairballs from building up in your cat’s stomach.
Don’t get mad at your cat if it urinates outside the litter box. If this happens, it may be because you have not kept the box as clean as you should. Punishments given to the cat will just make him or her less willing to be around its owner going forward.
Provide your cat with canned food rather than dry. Dry food may cost less, but canned food has more benefits. There is more water in canned food and more protein and fat too. Older cats find it easier to eat, too. Go ahead and talk to your vet, but canned food is favorable for cats.
Keeping your cat up to date on vaccinations and annual check ups can keep your cat in good health and provide a longer life. Just like kids, kittens must have wellness checks and immunizations periodically to keep health issues and diseases from coming up later. Remember that the four-pawed members of your family need healthcare just as much as the ones that walk on two feet.
Put a breakaway collar on a cat with an engraved tag. This is also true for indoor cats. It is possible that the animal might accidentally venture out of your home. If this occurs, you must be sure that your animal can find its way home.
Keep cats inside as much as you can, or at least close to you or your home. Cats who stay inside for most of their lives have a much better life span and are less likely to get diseases and parasites. Outdoor trips should be made in the company of the owner to keep cats safe from the dangers (like infections and attacks) that free-ranging cats face.
If your cat was adopted while you were not working, your cat will get lonely when you go back to work. If your goal is to keep boredom at bay, then you might consider getting them a playmate in the form of another cat.
You need to take the cat for particular thighs, and it can get costly. You can save by purchasing your pet medications online. There are several companies that deliver right to your front door. This is a great way to handle purchasing medications your cat takes on a monthly basis.
Think about keeping your cat entirely indoors. Outdoor cats usually do not live as long, and they are at higher risk in contracting many diseases. Some of these diseases can even be passed on to your family. Let your cat hop up into windows and watch the birds outside safely.
It can be quite expensive to properly care for your beloved cat. It’s so much work, it rivals raising a child! Clearly, it really is possible to economize without sacrificing your cat’s care.
