Have you welcomed a cat into your home? If you are, then you consider your cat precious. The cat is a pet that requires a great deal of care and love. Thankfully, you should be able to give your pet everything it needs. This article will show you some smart ways you can take better care of your feline friend.
If your kitty is a female, make sure to plan a spaying once she is of age to breed. You may believe that this is unnecessary if your cat stays inside all the time; however, cats almost always find a way to get outside, especially when they are in heat. When this occurs, your cat could get pregnant. Spaying a cat can prevent this.
Consider having your cat fitted with a microchip. Your pet may be an indoor cat, but that doesn’t mean it’ll never dash through your door or slide outside via an open window. Even if you put a collar or tag on your cat, be careful as they can wiggle out of these very easily and can be dangerous if they get caught on a foreign object like a tree branch. You can use a microchip instead; you can store your contact information in the chip and it will not bother your cat. Nearly all veterinarians and shelters now have scanners capable of reading the information on these chips, and since they are under the skin, there is no chance of the chip getting lost.
Cats appreciate all the affection you can give. A cat’s companionship should be returned with the same. Without love, cats may not socialize with your family. A cat can feel that he is a valuable, cherished part of their household.
Cats will often devote most of their time to grooming. If your kitty is a long-haired breed, the result of this might be hairballs. If your cat needs assistance with this problem, consider a special diet. Some foods contain extra oils and nutrients, specifically designed to prevent or diminish hairball concerns.
Do all you can to figure out what’s causing your cat to meow. By paying attention, you should eventually learn why your cat is meowing. This could mean that your cat needs to go out or is hungry. By giving her the proper amount of attention you can better attend to her needs.
Just because your family did it when you were a child, does not mean allowing your cat to go outside is a wise decision. Being outside all the time is not safe for a cat. Your cat may get fleas or something even worse than that. There’s the chance that your pet could be harmed by other animals or passing vehicles. If letting your cat outdoors is important to you, let them out in a safe fenced area.
Are you the owner of a dog and a cat? Dogs often take advantage of dining on the cat’s food. You should create a feeding space for the cat that is much too high for a dog to get to. This will help prevent any fights that may occur between your animals.
Cats have a love affair with heights. For very happy cats, give them a safe place where they can look around at their surroundings. If you’re averse to cat trees for some reason, a shelf without breakable items will work. Put a blanket on it so they can rest peacefully.
Speak with other cat owners about any issues you may be having. You won’t have the knowledge to handle every cat issue properly, so take advantage of the experiences of others. Your local veterinarian can be a valuable source of information, but there is also help available online by joining user forums geared toward cat owners.
Don’t think that you can teach a cat to use its litter box. This is natural to them and does not need to be taught. Certain techniques, such as rubbing the paws of your cat in the litter could actual traumatize your cat.
Feed your cat a few different varieties of food. This can help him not get too finicky. If you feed your cat the same food all the time, your cat will likely be uninterested any any other brand or flavor.
Don’t get rid of an old scratching post. The cats loves it the most in this condition. If you throw it away too soon, that cat may look to your furniture for some clawing while it slowly breaks in a new scratching post.
Provide your cat with canned food rather than dry. Dry food can be less costly, but there are quite a few benefits to canned food. Canned food will give your cat more water, fat and protein. If your cat is getting older, canned food is easier to chew as well. Speak with your veterinarian before making any major changes, however in general, canned food is better for your cat.
Before bringing home a long-haired cat, consider the extra care involved. That hair will truly get everywhere! These breeds are best left to those with the time and energy to do a lot of cleaning. Also, cats with long hair tend to have frequent hairball issues.
Place a collar on your cat that has your name, phone number and address. Even a house cat may get outside. If that happens, you want to be sure that there is a way for them to make it back home.
Although cats can be difficult, they are very sweet creatures that need love. This article has provided you with the knowledge needed to properly care for your pet. Remember everything you’ve learned here, as it will go a long way in improving your cat’s quality of life. Loving your cat will cause them to love you back.