Although independent, cats still require plenty of care from their owners. Cats aren’t the same as other pets so they need to be taken care of differently. You have to be sure that you’re meeting their needs so they’re more healthy. Read through this article if you would like to know how to take better care of your cat.
If you are planning to get a pet cat, be sure to check with your local shelter. Shelters are filled with beautiful cats, and the fee for adoption will basically cover the needed vet care. Adopting from a pet shelter benefits the cat population.
Though things may appear to be fine, you should always schedule regular medical checkups for your feline pet. Your cat should receive shots regularly to prevent health issues. Make sure you keep the same veterinarian for your pet throughout its life. This one vet will be aware of the cat’s history.
If your cat is female, you need to get it spayed at the proper age. You may keep your cat inside, but she could still slip outside and become pregnant. If your cat has been spayed, however, you won’t have to worry about this happening.
Put a collar on any cats which go outside. Cats can travel far, and a tag will help you find the cat easier if they get lost. At least put your phone number and pets name on the tag.
Nice furniture and cat claws don’t get along very well. Buy a scratching post if you need to protect the furniture in your home. Give them some encouragement and let them know it is okay to scratch that. It may take some time, but it should eventually work.
A microchip for your cat is something that you should really consider. You never know when your cat could get away from you. Tags and collars are great, but if a cat escapes them, there’s no guaranteeing they’ll make it home safe and sound. Microchips are as tiny as a piece of rice and will tell people where the cat belongs. Most shelters have a scanner that can pick up the facts located inside the chip.
A proper diet for male cats will help prevent kidney problems that cause them to pass crystals with their urine. These are very painful and expensive to treat. Choose a cat food low in magnesium. Be sure to read the ingredient label. Fish products are usually higher in magnesium.
Cat medications can be bought affordable online. You can’t always get it online. However, if your pet gets regular prescriptions for a chronic or ongoing issue, you can often save up to 50 percent by shopping online.
If you’re taking a trip with your cat, be sure to protect its ears. You may be tempted to blast your favorite songs at top volume. Cats, on the other hand, would probably prefer that you didn’t. Spare your cat’s sensitive hearing by keeping the volume down at all times.
Create a little tablecloth for your cat. Cats often like to remove food from their bowl to eat it off to the side. Sometimes this will make the area around the bowl messy, and you’ll have to clean it. To make clean up a breeze, use a place mat underneath the bowl or a piece of fabric. You’ll be able to pick it up easily and shake the excess food into the trash.
Do you have both a dog and a cat? Dogs often take advantage of dining on the cat’s food. Feed your pets in different areas of the house, and monitor them while they eat. The added benefit is that you will prevent fights over the other animals food and water when one of them runs out.
If you are experiencing an issue with your feline friend, seek advice from others. You may think it’s something you can take care of on your own, but other people that own cats could help. You can also go on the Web and ask your question in a forum.
Litter Box
Cats may make a small mess outside their litter box. Often, this happens when the litter box is dirty. If your punish your car, he or she is just going to become scared of you.
Before bringing home a long-haired cat, consider the extra care involved. Cats are beautiful with hair that is long and silky. Your clothes, floors and furniture aren’t. Don’t adopt a cat with long fur unless you’re sure you can handle the extra cleaning. Long haired cats often have hairball problems.
Keeping your cat up to date on vaccinations and annual check ups can keep your cat in good health and provide a longer life. Just like with having kids, young cats need to be checked on to see if they’re doing okay from time to time. It also needs its shots so that you can avoid problems later on down the road. Treat your cat as if it were a member of the family.
If the cat stops using their litter box all of a sudden, keep an eye on this. Abandoning proper litter box habits is often a warning sign of serious health problems in cats. Kidney, bladder and infection issues can make this occur. Speak with a veterinarian if you have a cat that has these issues.
Keep your cat indoors as much as possible, close to home and near its owner. Indoor cats live longer and stay healthier. Outdoor cats face numerous predators and are at a higher risk of disease.
If you worry about the cat you have getting fleas, rabies, or any kind of fungus then the cat shouldn’t go outside. Indoor cats can experience these problems, but it is much more likely in an outdoor cat.
A clean cat is a happy cat. It is your responsibility to make sure your cat looks (and actually is!) healthy. Your cat will love you for grooming them, and it’s a good time for bonding together. Use the advice you’ve read to help you groom your cat regularly.