Like people, cats need proper nutrition. Without a diet like this, cats can get sick or become overweight. This article will teach you how to properly care for your cat.
When considering a new pet, make sure you visit the area shelter first. Shelters have tons of great cats and their adoption fee will generally cover necessary vet care. When a cat is adopted from an animal shelter it saves its life and it helps control the cat population.
It is always important to take your cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups. In addition to checking the health of your cat, a vet can give him any needed shots. Try keeping the same vet throughout your cat’s life. That way, the doctor will be familiar with the history of your cat.
A heated tile for underneath your cat’s bed can provide real comfort. Place a tile made of terra cotta or a similar material in an oven heated to 200 degrees for around 15 to 20 minutes. Put it inside a cloth and place underneath your feline’s blanket or bed. Switch towels every few hours if you need to.
Cat’s claws can really put a dent in your furniture. Buy your cat a scratching posts to focus its attention off your furniture. This can encourage cats to scratch something other than things that are off-limits. It may take some time, but it should eventually work.
Have your cat chipped so you can find him if he runs away. 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. Although they provide the information needed to find your beloved pet, they can also accidentally get caught or even be wiggled out of. A microchip is tiny, similar in size to a single rice grain and capable of holding plenty of information. Every shelter and most veterinarian offices have microchip scanners that can read the chips, and best of all, they chips can’t be lost.
Normally cats are nocturnal animals. This means their behavior is quite active during the night. Shut the door to your bedroom. This helps to muffle the sounds of nighttime play. This will ensure you sleep much better, without cats jumping into bed with you.
Male cats may develop crystals in the urine, which usually occur as a result of a poor diet. Just like kidney stones, these crystals are painful and vet bills are pricey. Choose a cat food low in magnesium. Read the labels. Products that contain fish are normally much higher in magnesium over ones containing poultry.
You should think again before allowing your cat to go outside. This can be something that isn’t very safe for a cat. Your cat could get parasites, or worse. Your cat may be targeted by another animal, or get injured by a vehicle or another person. When your cats go outside, keep an eye out to make sure they do not wander too far away.
Litter Box
Be aware whenever your cat suddenly quits using its litter box. Some feline health problems may cause your cat to refuse to use their litter box. Kidney or bladder infections may be the reason. Therefore, whenever you notice your cat not using its litter box, call your veterinarian.
Cats have shockingly sharp noses, which means they can spot changes in their home with ease. When you give them a new toy, bed, food or scratching post, this can be an issue. If the cat doesn’t like it, don’t be alarmed. As the smell of your home gets onto the items, they’ll warm up to them.
Are hairballs posing a serious problem for your cat, and additional brushing does not help to reduce them? One mixed teaspoon of pumpkin mixed into your cat’s food should help. In addition to the pumpkin, try one teaspoon of water from a can of tuna. Some cat foods even have anti-hairball benefits.
Feed your cat as much dry food as you can. When cats are young they are going to have to have wet food due to having small teeth. As they develop adult teeth, the harder dry food helps to keep their teeth strong. If your pet cat is finicky, you might consider combining dry and wet food.
Your cat needs a healthy diet. Eating the wrong foods or not eating enough or too much can shorten your cat’s life span. Do what is best for your pet and it will live a healthy and happy life.