Cats make great pets, but caring for them can be costly. After paying for shots, toys, cat food, litter and grooming, you may feel like reconsidering your choice to own a cat. For ideas to improve your cat’s health and happiness, read on.
Take your cat in for regular vet exams. Cats require special shots to prevent illness and the vet can check their overall health. If you find a vet you are comfortable with, use them for the duration of your cat’s life. This is because this person will know your cat and the history of the animal.
If your cat is a female, you’ll want to spay her once she reaches the proper age. Even if your cat is an indoor cat, if she escapes while she is in heat you might end up with a lot of kittens on your hands. If you want to prevent this, spay your cat.
Your furnishings and belongings can easily be ruined by a cat’s claws. Buy a scratching post if you need to protect the furniture in your home. Encourage your cat to scratch where you want them to. Eventually it will cause you less of a headache.
Male cats may develop crystals in the urine, which usually occur as a result of a poor diet. It can be painful to pass these crystals and your vet bill will be priced accordingly. Make sure your cat’s food is not high in magnesium. Always read labels. Avoid fish products.
Be cautious when leaving a kitten with children. A child less than five years old should not be left alone with a small pet. Younger children cannot fully understand how to properly handle a small pet. When children are over the age of five, then you should decide whether or not they are mature enough to handle a kitten.
Cats love high spots. For very happy cats, give them a safe place where they can look around at their surroundings. If you’d rather not invest in a cat tree, simply use a large shelf or bookcase without any breakable items. For an extra treat, place a blanket or small bed up there too.
Purchase a drinking fountain for your cat. When cats are in the wild they tend to prefer water that is running when they are thirsty, this applies to cats at home. Your cat, if its like most, will really respond to this running water. Many cats prefer running water over their water dish. Also, drinking fountains are more environmentally friendly and gives them the ability to drink naturally.
Ensure that your cat wears a collar and identification tags at all times. This is important even if your pet lives indoors. The lure of an open door or window is very attractive to your curious cat. The tag should have your phone number on it. If your kitty has medical conditions, this information can be a life saver.
Pets can be pricy to care for and cats aren’t an exception. There are so many things to do that it is akin to having a child. As this article has shown, there are many things that must be done to keep your cat happy and healthy.