Cats are naturally curious. Although they tend to want their own space, at times they don’t mind being close to you. Cats are mysterious, fascinating, and also very comforting animals. The following article has some great tips for caring for your special friend.
Local rescue organizations are a great place to look for a new pet cat. Many shelters have more cats than they can handle and the fees associated with adoption take care of vet visits. Besides, adopting a cat from an animal shelter means you are saving this cat’s life.
You should make sure your cat stays groomed properly. Just like dogs, cats require regular brushing and de-tangling. If you brush cats on a regular basis, it will keep their coats clean and attractive. It can cut down on shedding and spitting up hairballs, too. Brushing your cat will keep your home cleaner, too.
Taking your cat in for regular check-ups at the veterinarian’s office is part of being a responsible pet owner. Not only will a veterinarian give a general physical exam, he or she will also make sure they have necessary vaccinations. Try using one veterinarian consistently. This person will be more knowledgeable on your cat’s history.
Take your cat to the vet every year. They should have regular check ups annually, and more appointments should be made if they need to get important shots. Cats should visit the vet right away if they are having any issues.
Make sure your cat has a collar if it goes outside. Cats can roam far, so a tag will ensure you find them quickly when they’re lost. Some required information on the tag would be the cat’s name and your personal phone number.
It can be hard to make your cat stay off the counter. They love to be able to look around from up high. One way to deal with this issue could be to devote certain high spaces for your feline friend to sit in. Placing a cat tower near the kitchen will help the cats to not lay on the counter.
Keep your cat amused. Cats need stimulation. Unfortunately, many owners do not realize this important part of ownership. Bored cats can develop depression and other harmful health conditions. Spend time playing with them, and go through a variety of toys to find ones they like and will play with while you’re busy, too. If they’re an indoor cat, get them an object to climb on or a scratching post.
Tell your kids what the rules are about your new kitten. Make sure your children are aware of rooms that are open to your cat. If your cat is going to be one that stays inside, let the kids know that it’s not allowed outside. Setting up rules ahead of time can help your kids understand better.
Do your best to determine why your cat is meowing. If you stay around a cat for a period of time you will figure out what their verbal cues mean. She will let you know when her demands are for food or when you need to let her out. Make sure you are paying attention in order to better understand your cat.
Litter Box
You should not train your cat to use a litter box. This is not something that needs to be taught. In fact, it comes naturally for them. 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.
Brush your cat regularly. This can help spread their fur’s natural oils around and stimulate blood flow to their skin. Additionally, brushing helps to expedite hair shedding. This keeps hairballs at bay, which may cause choking and build up inside their stomach from self-grooming.
Your cat deserves a high quality food. Always look at the ingredients first. You want to see either fish, chicken or beef noted. Look for foods that do not have corn or elements that aren’t protein. Understand that your cat needs a lot of animal protein to stay healthy.
Your cat should be given food from a can. Food that is dry is cheaper but canned food is better for your cat’s health. Canned food gives your cat more protein and the water content helps with hydration. As a cat ages, it has a harder time chewing. You should listen to what your vet recommends, though.
Before bringing home a long-haired cat, consider the extra care involved. Long-haired cats are beautiful animals, but keep in mind that they will shed everywhere in your home. You should not get a cat with long-hair unless you are ready to do a lot of cleaning. More, and longer hair, usually means more hairballs too.
Cats are not always easy to figure out, but they certainly can make loyal friends if you let them. Take what you learned here and use it as a guide to help you better understand how to make a cats life better. Caring for a cat is one of life’s great pleasures.
