Do you want a pet that is quick and nimble, with a bright mind and a fun personality? These are only a few of the wonderful things about pet cats. Owning a cat isn’t all fun and games, though; you need to be well-educated to deal with feline challenges. This article will allow both you and your cat to be happier. Don’t turn away!
It may prove quite a challenge to make your cat stay off counter tops. Cats enjoy heights, as they can monitor events from their perch. Therefore, you should create high areas for resting. Sometimes strategically placing a tall cat tower near your kitchen will help.
You can also consider outfitting your cat with a chip so you can monitor its whereabouts. You may not have had trouble with your cat getting loose previously, but it can happen at any time by accident. Collars and tags can help get your cat home, however cats are experts at wiggling out of these, not to mention the risk they pose if they were to get snagged on a bush or tree branch. A microchip, on the other hand, is inserted near your cat’s shoulder blades, takes only a second to do, and all of your current contact info can be read through the chip. The chip will never be lost because it is under the skin and it can easily be read by any shelter or vet.
Never let your cat experience frequent boredom. Play is important to the health and vitality of your cat. Too many cat owners forget this simple fact. Cats who become bored often have issues that can affect them in a big way. Some of these issues are obesity due to eating out of boredom, OCD issues, fighting with other pets and depression. You need to give it new toys regularly and make sure your cat has plenty of space to run and play. You need to provide your cats with something they can climb and scratch.
Cat Needs
Your cat needs attention and a lot of affection. Cats are looking for a response in kind in exchange for all of the friendly companionship they offer to humans. Your cat needs to socialize and get plenty of attention from everyone in your family. They want to know they are a valuable part of the family too.
Chances are, your feline spends many hours grooming himself. If your kitty is a long-haired breed, the result of this might be hairballs. To help your cat out with this problem, try buying him special food. Some foods contain extra oils and nutrients, specifically designed to prevent or diminish hairball concerns.
Some male cats get urinary crystals, but this is preventable with proper diet. It is painful for your cat to pass these crystals and the cost to have this treated by a vet is high. Your cat needs food low in magnesium. Be sure that you read the label. You will notice that fish-based foods and products are higher in levels of magnesium than anything sourced from poultry.
Cat medications can be bought affordable online. There may be times when you cannot purchase medication online, such as in an emergency; however, monthly medication, such as flea medicine, can be bought online. However, for standard medications, like flea medications or heart worm pills, online sources offer a substantial savings to pet owners.
Little kids shouldn’t be left alone near cats. It is important that you teach children how to properly interact with a new cat. Spend some time showing them how to lift a cat and how they can interact with the cat. Cats need to be protected, too. Their bones are much more susceptible than dogs.
Make sure that you have a good tablecloth for your kitten. Cats often take food from their bowls to eat on the side. 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.
Be very careful about allowing children to be alone with a kitten. If the child is younger than 5, don’t leave them alone with a kitten. Little children do not have the necessary skills yet to handle a pet by themselves. As they age, you can determine how much interaction they should have with the animal.
Litter Box
You cannot teach a cat to use a litter box. Cats instinctively understand what to do and teaching is not required. Some cat owners believe they should expose their cat to the litter box and rub its paws into the litter; however, this may actually have the opposite effect and make your cat scared of it.
Now that you have read this article, you should have a few ideas you can start using in your home. This should improve the relationship with your pet. By properly caring for your cat, you will enjoy a happier and healthier cat that you can thoroughly enjoy for many years. Use these tips to see for yourself.