If you want to own a good pet, a cat is a great choice. However, people who are unfamiliar with cats need to educate themselves on proper ways to raise a cat. Here you are going to find some ideas on how to properly care for a cat so he or she can live a happy life.
If your cat is an outdoor cat, then you should ensure it wears a tag collar. A lost cat is much easier to locate if they are properly tagged. Make sure at a minimum to put your pets name and your phone number on the tag.
Cat’s claws can really put a dent in your furniture. Purchase a scratching post to stop your cat from destroying your home. Redirect your cat to the scratching post when they start to go after your furniture. Catnip can be put in the posts or on the tower to help train the cat to use it. They may not take to it overnight, but they should eventually.
Male cats may develop crystals in the urine, which usually occur as a result of a poor diet. Passing crystals is very painful for your cat, and the vet’s bill will be painful for you. Your cat’s food should be low in magnesium. Always read labels. Fish products tend to be higher in magnesium than poultry products.
A tablecloth for the feeding area can be quite useful. Some cats prefer to remove their food from the dish and eat it off to the side. If this occurs, you will have a mess on your hands. You can also use any type of mat underneath your cat’s eating apparatus to reduce the mess.
Think twice before leaving a child alone with a kitten. Kids under five should not be left alone with a pet. They simply lack the maturity to comprehend the harm they can potentially do to kittens. When they mature, they can spend alone time with the kitty.
Cats enjoy heights. Your cat will be truly happy if you provide a place for him to view his surroundings. If a cat tree is not in your future, providing a stable shelving unit with no small items on it will do very well. You can also add a small bed or blanket at the top.
Never try to teach a cat to use a litter box. This is a natural instinct for felines, and it need not be taught. A lot of people think that they can take their cat and try to rub their cat’s paws on the litter, but this may just traumatize the cat.
You don’t want to punish a cat if they do their business outside of their litter box. It might be happening because you aren’t caring for the box good enough. Punishing your cat will make it afraid of being close to you.
Acclimate your cat to its carrier. Cats don’t react to punishment like dogs do. They need positive reinforcement. Place the open carrier in an area that your cat visits often and outfit it with a favorite toy and blanket. The cat will enter it on its own. This will make getting the cat inside easier later.
Do not throw away your cat’s scratching post because it is starting to look very old and worn. This is the time when your cats actually most prefer it. Something new is not necessarily better for a cat, and it may lead them to scratching the furniture.
Provide your cat with canned food rather than dry. Dry food may cost less, but canned food has more benefits. 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. Talk to your vet, but canned food is generally superior for your cat.
Deciding to get a cat is a great choice. They are wonderful pets who can be loving and help to relieve stress. But, you must understand proper cat care in order to have a happy animal. Following the guidelines you’ve just read will allow you to improve the quality and quantity of your cat’s years.
