Cats make great pets, but they can also make expensive pets. Caring for a cat properly means providing it with proper nutrition, adequate stimulation, health care, and many other necessities; this can become expensive. Check out the tips provided below to gain a little insight on being a responsible cat owner.
Regular visits to the vet will preserve your cat’s health. They need a check-up and possibly vaccinations. If a condition, illness, or injury happens, your cat should be taken to the vet immediately.
Your cat needs a collar and tag if it goes outside. Cats can get lost, and they need a tag to be found. The tag should contain the pet’s name, your phone number and your name as well.
It’s very important to get your cat microchipped. Even cats that live their lives entirely indoors can suddenly escape out a window or door. A tagged collar might help get kitty home, but it can just as easily come off if snagged on a branch. Microchips are as small as a rice grain and have all of your important contact information. Nearly all veterinarians and shelters now have scanners capable of reading the information on these chips, and since they are under the skin, there is no chance of the chip getting lost.
Be sure to show your cat affection as much as possible. Most cats crave the same warmth and companionship they give their owners. Like humans, a cat has to be around people in order to feel special. Cats want to feel loved and needed.
Your cat can take lots of time to groom themselves to what they consider “perfect.” If the cat has longer hair, it can be the cause of hairballs. There are special foods you can give to your cat to reduce this problem. There are foods on the market for cats that specifically deal with the hairball problems and are good for the cat.
Understand that leaving a small kitten together with small children can be dangerous to both. Under five, the child needs to be watched. They’re not really mature enough to know how dangerous a kitten can be. As kids age, you can then determine whether they are mature enough for small pets.
Moist, canned food can be a very good option for your cat. While dry food is less expensive, canned food is healthier. That’s because this type of food provides your cat with more protein, good fat and water. It’s also much softer on older teeth if your cat is getting up there in years. Speak with your vet to determine the proper course of action to take.
Make sure your cat always wears identification tags on their collar. This is necessary even for an indoors pet. Cats are inquisitive and will explore an open door or window if it is presented to them. Tags should include contact information for you and your vet. This precaution is especially important when your cat has an existing medical condition.
If adding an additional cat to your home, give the cats a couple of weeks to get comfortable with each other. Cats usually do not like change, especially when it comes to another cat. Therefore, they may hide, hiss, or even fight one another. After the initial period though, they should start to settle and begin to get along like old friends.
If your cat begins defecating or urinating too frequently, it’s time to see the vet. Many cats develop these behaviors in response to a health problem, such as urinary tract infections. Affordable antibiotics can solve concerns that may otherwise be quite serious.
Do you feel as if there is cat hair all over the place? Cats do a lot of shedding, and it helps to brush them. If your cat is a big shedder, you definitely want to brush him often. This will also help their coat from getting tangled or matted.
If your pet is expecting kittens, be sure she has a spacious area to give birth in. The process generally takes about three hours, so you must exercise patience. When six hours passes, get to the vet immediately.
Some foods that you enjoy as a human aren’t any good for your cat. Some of these foods include garlic, grapes, onions and green tomatoes. Ingesting these foods can end up making your cat really sick or worse. Milk also often upsets your cat’s stomach.
Try and incorporate dry food into your cats diet. Kittens need wet food due to the size of their teeth. As they grow older, dry foods ensure that their teeth are strong. You can also mix wet and dry food together if your cat is really picky.
Sticky Tape
Try using sticky tape if you own a cat. A bit of sticky tape on your cat’s favorite scratching spot can quickly make the act less enjoyable for them. You can even get this kind of a tape from a pet store. With this tape and a well-placed scratching post, your feline should stop the bad behavior quickly.
Cats share a lot of diseases with humans. You need to pay attention to your cat and make sure they are in good health. Because a cat can go downhill rather quickly, it’s important to take them to the vet as soon as possible. The vet can then rule out serious conditions.
Do a safety check to make sure there are no places where your cat could potentially get trapped. Cats have the ability to get through small spaces. Kittens especially can fit into small spaces. Be especially careful about this if you’re bringing a cat home for the first time. If you find holes of any size that the cat could get through, repair them.
Caring for any pet properly involves a fair amount of effort, and cats are certainly included. It’s so much work, it rivals raising a child! Thanks to this article, you now know what to do to make your cat a happy pet.
