Cats are creatures that need to be occupied if they’re not sleeping. When cats area alone, they can scratch everything and climb on the furniture. This can be prevented by offering cat toys. This article includes lots of information about cats and how to keep them occupied.
You never want to leave the cords of your drapes dangling down. Don’t let the cat play with them since they can jump into them or play with them and get them around their neck if they have loops. This may harm or kill them. Therefore, ensure that drape cords are pinned away from your cat’s reach.
Ensure your cat remains groomed. You have to make sure your cat gets brushed or combed often. If this is done frequently, your cat’s coat will be much cleaner. It helps your cats shed much less too, which keeps them from spitting those hairballs up. Keep your cat looking at its best by grooming it well.
Putting a warm tile beneath the bed of an older cat will help it rest comfortably. Use a terra cotta tile to help relieve your cat’s aches and pains; put it in the oven on low heat – 200 degrees or so – for 15 minutes. You should wrap it with a towel and place it under the bed your cat uses. Change every few hours if you like.
Spraying the electrical cords in your home with a bitter apple solution helps keep the cats from chewing on them. If your cat likes to chew cords, hide the cords as best you can. You can do this by bundling them and tucking them in the cardboard rolls that are used for paper towels. Put away electronics that have tempting, thin cords when you’re not using them.
Kitty claws can be quite destructive to fabric and furnishings. Buy a scratching post if you need to protect the furniture in your home. Put cat nip on it to attract them to it. It may take some time, but will be worth the effort and expense.
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. Cats who get bored can actually become depressed or display other undesirable behaviors. Give them room to play and a large number of toys. A scratching post is a valuable toy to put in your home.
While usually cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Teach your kids how to treat a cat. Spend some time showing them how to lift a cat and how they can interact with the cat. Keep in mind that a cat’s bones are much more fragile than a dog’s.
Make a tablecloth that your cat can use. Sometimes cats prefer to remove food from their bowls and eat it from the floor. This leaves food on the floor outside their bowl that must be cleaned. Put a placemat under the bowl, or even some fabric so cleaning up is a snap.
If you give your kids a kitten, provide them with firm boundaries at the same time. Let your children know which areas of the house are off-limits for the cat. They should know that indoor cats can’t go outside. Clearly explaining the rules will limit future mishaps.
Litter Box
You cannot teach a cat to use a litter box. This is a natural instinct that cannot be taught. Many people think rubbing a cat’s paws in litter will teach them to use the litter box, but it might actually traumatize them.
Feed your cat a few different varieties of food. This can help him not get too finicky. If you raise your kitten with the same food for their entire life, this can become the only type of food they will willingly eat.
Frequent urination outside the litter box may indicate a visit to the vet is required. Cats sometimes behave like this if they have a urinary infection or other medical problem. Most of the time, these conditions can be resolved with relatively affordable antibiotic treatments.
Dogs will often wag their tails to show their happiness or excitement. Cats wag their tail as well, but have different reasons psychologically. Tail-wagging is usually a sign that your cat is considering attacking or fleeing. If kitty starts wagging his tail while you’re holding him, it’s best to put him down so you don’t get scratched.
Many foods that are fine for humans are not good to give to your cat. Examples of problem foods include garlic, green tomatoes, onions and grapes. Even a little taste of these foods can make your cat seriously sick. Milk upsets a cat’s stomach, too.
If your cat’s been declawed, you should never let them outside. A clawless cat will have no defense against other animals, and when they’re outside they’ll run risk of death or injury. Indoor cats are the only ones who should be considered for declawing. It is still best to just remove the front claws. Leaving the back claws is no problem since they won’t scratch your furniture or floors.
Keep an eye on your cat if he or she is panting. Understand that dogs panting is normal; however, this is not the case for cats. Panting can indicate anxiety or overheating, but it can also mean something quite serious. Call your vet, especially if you cat has a history of respiratory problems.
Cats can sometimes have a lot of energy, and the best way to channel that energy is through toys. The more you know about cats, the better your cat will be. Use the recommendations of this article to give your cat toys and prevent damage to your favorite items.