Cats are one of the most popular household pets for many different reasons. Not only will they keep you entertained, they also can hunt for pests like rodents that may be terrorizing your home. Read on to find out how to care for your kitty.
When considering a new pet, make sure you visit the area shelter first. Shelters all over the country are crowded with marvelous cats, and most provide veterinarian care with the adoption fee. Adopting from a pet shelter benefits the cat population.
Be certain your cat has regular vet visits. They need a check-up one time a year, or more if they require certain shots. Cats should see a vet right away if any health problems or injuries needing treatment occur.
Being nocturnal is quite normal for cats. Because of this, night time is when they are most active. If your cats are busy keeping you awake early, just close your bedroom door. This way, they can’t disturb you while you sleep.
Give your cat plenty of love and affection. Cats need just as much companionship as they give out. Like people, cats like to socialize and need to feel like they’re an essential part of your life. They also like feeling important and a big member of the family.
Most cats spend a large amount of time on grooming themselves. If your cat is long haired, this may cause hairballs. Buy your cat specialized food to prevent this problem. There are foods on the market for cats that specifically deal with the hairball problems and are good for the cat.
If you’re taking a trip with your cat, be sure to protect its ears. You may like music loud and booming, but a cat will prefer lower volumes as their ears are more sensitive. Reduce the volume of the music and keep the windows up; let your cat rest!
Create a tablecloth that your cats can use. Some cats prefer removing their food from the bowl and eating it on the side. If this occurs, you will have a mess on your hands. Put a placemat under the bowl, or even some fabric so cleaning up is a snap.
You should think again before allowing your cat to go outside. This can put your cat in an unsafe position. Your cat may get fleas or have other problems. Cars, people, or animals could hurt your beloved pet. If letting your cat outdoors is important to you, let them out in a safe fenced area.
Brush your cat daily. Brushing improves the circulation of your cat and helps spread natural oils in the fur. In addition, it helps to reduce loose hair. Doing so reduces the occurrence of hairballs, which are a choking risk. It also benefits the cat’s stomach by reducing the animal’s need to clean itself.
Buy your cat a fountain it can drink from. A cat will always drink from running water if possible. Cats react better to a moving water stream. In fact, many cats like drinking from faucets more than from their water bowls. Installing a drinking fountain for your cat is a more eco-friendly way to provide it with some running water.
Make canned food the mainstay of your cat’s diet. Dry food is usually cheaper, but canned food boasts a number of benefits. Canned food provides more water content for your cat as well as more fat and protein. Aging cats can chew this easier. Discuss this with your vet, who may tell you to feed your cat canned food.
If you wish to add another cat to your home, give it a couple weeks for your old cat and your new cat to grow accustomed to each other. In the early days, you may see a lot of posturing from the cats including hissing and swatting at each other. Eventually, they will come to tolerate and actually enjoy being together.
Are you getting overwhelmed with all the cat hair in your home? You need to brush your cat regularly, especially if she sheds a lot. If your cat sheds a lot, you probably need to brush it more often. This can also stop their coats from becoming tangled up.
Cats have shockingly sharp noses, which means they can spot changes in their home with ease. This can lead to issues when you introduce something new, such as a new toy, bed, or food dish. Do not be concerned if your cat does not accept these new items immediately. As the smell of your home gets onto the items, they’ll warm up to them.
Make sure that your cat is not alone if you adopted one. If this is proving to be a problem, consider getting another cat to keep them company while you’re gone.
You should never feed your cats human food while you’re dining at the table. Because of the additives and cooking techniques used in human food, you should avoid feeding it to your cat. To give a cat a real treat, offer a small amount of egg, beef or chicken you have cooked. However, if you’re feeding your cat the right food, he is getting the correct nutrition.
Make sure that your cat wears a collar with a tag on it at all times. Cats are intelligent and try to leave if they’re given the chance. If your cat gets lost, your chances of getting it back will be much higher if she has a collar and a tag.
While cats lack the ferocity and imposing mass of dogs, they’re still capable hunters and loyal defenders of your home. There is no doubt that a cat has wonderful hunting skills, and can be a lot more agile than their canine friends. With all of these useful attributes, it’s no surprise that cats are so popular.
