Humans have had cats as companions for eons. Cats have inspired the songs, poetry and visual arts of many cultures. After this much interaction with humans, it is predictable that many cats seem to believe that they are running the show. This article will teach you how to coexist and care for your cat.
Create a warm bed for an outdoor or feral cat by lining a banana box with a thick layer of newspaper. Cut a piece of Mylar to fit the bottom of the box. Put another layer of newspaper on top. Add a warm blanket. Place the whole box inside a dog house or under a porch where it can’t get wet.
If you want a cat to feel like it’s more comfortable, a heated tile may be able to help. Put a square foot of terra cotta tile into your oven heated to 200 degrees. Keep the tile in the oven for about 15 minutes. Wrap the tile in a towel and then put it under the bed. Change it every couple of hours if desired.
Keep dangerous chemicals away from your cat. Just like children, cats need to be kept away from items like cleaning materials since they could harm them. These chemicals are basically poison and if your cats consumes some or gets some on them, they could get very sick, get burned, or possibly die. Store these items in a place where your cat can’t find them or use a child-proof lock on their location.
Cats are hunters by nature. They love to chase mice and other small animals and insects. Buying little fuzzy mice filled with catnip and batting them around with your cat is a great idea. Your cat will feel as though they are really hunting prey. This will also help you to connect with your cat better.
Always watch a kitten around small kids. Kids under five should not be left alone with a pet. They don’t know what harm they can do. Once the child grows up a little, he might be more able to handle the kitten.
If you have more than one cat, you should have as many litter boxes as you have cats. If too many cats have to share the same litter box, it can mean disaster! The cats may choose not to share their eliminating space, instead, using other areas, such as clean laundry or hidden corners of the home to do their business.
Feed a kitten proper food. A developing kitten survives exclusively on their mother’s milk for the first four weeks, a commercial formula if the mother isn’t around. When moving to regular food, feed them specially formulated kitten food until they reach maturity at the age of one. Kittens need plenty of protein while they are developing.
If you suspect your cat has sprayed in your home but can not find the area, there is hope. Purchasing an inexpensive black light can save you from having to rip up your carpets. Your cats urine will glow under the black light, showing you exactly where to clean.
Turn out the lights and use a black-light to identify the source of that mystery cat urine smell. Cat pee contains phosphorus, which glows brightly under this type of light bulb. This is especially useful because otherwise you might not be able to see the exact area to be treated. Use a piece of chalk to lightly trace the outline of the stain so you can see it when you turn the regular lights back on.
Do you offer your cats inexpensive food, thinking that it will last longer, and you get more for your money? The truth is, cheaper foods usually lack the proper nutrients and protein cats need in order to stay healthy. Instead, they contain fillers, such as corn, to bulk up the food. Cats need to eat more of cheaper foods, but will require less of a protein-rich food that will keep him healthier in the long run.
When introducing a new cat to your home, make sure that your other pets have time to adjust. You will want to give the new cat extra attention, but it is important to keep up established routines with your other pets. Allow the new cat to explore its new home while you care for your other pets.
There are a few human foods that can be quite dangerous if consumed by a cat. Chocolate and onions are two of the foods out there that can be toxic to cats. You should do all of the research you can to make sure that you are not giving your cat any food that can hurt them.
When caring for your cat, make sure to trim his nails on a regular basis. Many cats end up in shelters every year because owners become angry when they scratch furniture and flooring. If you keep your cats nails trimmed, this will be less of a problem. Invest in a good pair of nail clippers, and use them on a weekly basis.
Cats can be prone to different illnesses, one of them being diabetes. Luckily, diabetes can be treated by the vet. With regular insulin injections your cat’s diabetes can be regulated. This means that your cat will end up living a long and healthy life. Eventually, your cat will get accustomed to the injections to make things easier on you.
If you are thinking about owning a second cat, you need to gradually introduce the cats to each other. Cats are territorial. They need time to learn to trust newcomers to their territory. This could only take a couple of days, but usually it takes at least two weeks for cats to adjust to newcomers.
The cat in your home may think it owns the place. But, if you use what you have read here, you may be able to show your pet who the boss is supposed to be. By establishing the ground rules, you can relax and enjoy the benefits of owning a lovable cat.