Many people make the mistake of not planning when they get a cat for the first time, and they run into a lot of issues. Finding a pet without preparing first is a terrible mistake. You can’t ever be 100% prepared when you own a pet. However, you can plan for as much as possible by considering the useful tips that follow.
Your cat needs a collar and tag if it goes outside. Cats sometimes travel a bit when outside, and a tag prevents any mishaps due to your cat being lost. Even if the tag just has your phone number, it can be the difference between your pet coming home and being lost forever.
Deter cats from shocking themselves on electrical wires by spraying them with bitter apple. Cat can sometimes chew on cords, and they should be covered to prevent this. Any loose cords should be bundled up and placed in things like paper towel rolls. All thin cords should be put up when you’re not using them.
Keeping cats from a counter really can be tough. If your cat is high, he can see everything that is going on. You can get your cat to quit doing this if you make areas that it can climb up to. The use of a cat tower within your kitchen or close by can help make the cats stay off the counter.
Most cats are very nocturnal. They are often active at nighttime. Close the door to prevent the noise from getting to you. You won’t be able to hear their sounds as they walk around in the middle of the night.
Be attentive to your cat and give them your love and company, often. Cats give us a lot of love, and they deserve to be loved back. Cats need a social life with people just like you do with other people. They want to feel like a contented and satisfied member of the family.
Try as hard as you can to understand the reason your cat meows at you. When your cat is a member of the family, their sounds start to become familiar to you. This makes it easy to determine what various meows might mean. It could be she’s hungry or needs to go outside. When you understand what each type of behavior indicates, you can improve your relationship.
Think over whether or not you should let your cat go outdoors. This can be something that isn’t very safe for a cat. Cats can become infected with fleas, ticks and ringworm. It can also be potentially hurt by cars, people or other animals. If you must let your cat outside, do so in a very small area of your backyard or lawn.
Litter Box
It’s important to let your cat see where you place the litter box, but it’s not always a good idea to force your cat to learn how to use it. This is a natural instinct for felines, and it need not be taught. Don’t try to force them into the litter box by rubbing their paws or face in it.
Do not discipline your cat if it makes a mess outside its 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.
Don’t get rid of an old scratching post. This is the condition that cats like the most. There is a good chance if you got rid of it and bought a new one that your cat would start scratching up your furniture.
Feed your cat high-quality cat food. Ensure that the food your cat eats is very high in protein. Avoid brands that use non-meat fillers like corn. Cats are meant to eat meat, and that means that they need to have foods that are high in protein.
Use canned food for your cat. Even though the dry versions can be more cost-effective, canned cat food usually is more beneficial. Canned food will give your cat more water, fat and protein. As a cat ages, it has a harder time chewing. You should ask your vet for some recommendations if you are not sure what kind of food to get.
The tips given to you are great for all types of cats. You have learned basic information that makes raising a cat much easier. Remember though, everyone’s cat and circumstances are different requiring certain adjustments. Remember to have plenty of fun and give your cat plenty of love and attention.