Many cats think they rule the world, or at least your household. They can be very mysterious, even from the moment they enter your home. With the right techniques, you can improve your abilities as an owner. Read the following tips to find out everything there is to know about a cat.
When considering a new pet, make sure you visit the area shelter first. They have tons of amazing cats who desperately need a home. When you adopt a cat from a shelter, you save a life and help keep the cat population under control.
Dog Products
Do not use dog products on your cat. Cats often have negative reactions to dog products. When it comes to flea products this is particularly true. Your cat may die if you use dog flea products on it. Make sure to separate your cat from your dog after spraying.
Be sure you show your cat lots of love. Your cat will enjoy your company if you pet and play with her. Cats have a need to communicate with others to show they are part of the family. They want to feel like a valuable, happy family member, too.
You can sometimes find better prices for cat medication online than getting it from your veterinarian. In some situations, you may not have the choice to purchase meds over the Internet, such as a health emergency. For more routine situations, saving 50% by buying online is quite possible.
Don’t leave a kitten with small kids. Up until your child is five, children shouldn’t be alone with your pet. A child of that age doesn’t realize when they are being too rough with a pet. When children are over the age of five, then you should decide whether or not they are mature enough to handle a kitten.
Discuss any issues you have with your pet with others. You won’t have the knowledge to handle every cat issue properly, so take advantage of the experiences of others. There are a number of message boards for cat owners on the Internet, or you can go to your vet with problems.
Litter Box
Be mindful of where you place the litter box. It is tempting to place it out of sight, in order to avoid the image of it or smells that go along with dirty litter. The cat has to be able to easily access the box. Cats tend to be finicky, so you’ll want to provide a location that isn’t off-putting to your cat. The area around the litter box should be comfortable and warm to walk on, so make adjustments as needed.
Stay current on your cat’s exams and vaccinations. Your cat needs these periodic checks and particular immunizations in order to stay healthy. Remember that the four-pawed members of your family need healthcare just as much as the ones that walk on two feet.
If your cat’s about to have kittens, create a spacious area in which she can do so. It could take 3-4 hours for every kitten to arrive, so be patient. Once 6 hours have passed, if all the kittens have not been delivered you should seek the help of a vet.
Your cat will thank you if you avoid phenol in your cleaning products. The chemical is most often found in pine cleaners. Not only is the smell offensive to cats, but exposing them to this chemical for prolonged periods of time can lead to problems with their liver.
It is best to keep cats indoors, near you and treated as part of your household. Cats trained to live inside instead of outside live longer according to certain studies. You should go outside with your cat every day to play and exercise.
You should never medicate a cat with something that was meant for humans. If they have health issues, see a vet and give them what they provide. Giving cats human medications can cause serious problems and may even be fatal.
Keep an eye out for panting. Understand that dogs panting is normal; however, this is not the case for cats. Panting can indicate anxiety or overheating, but it can also mean something quite serious. Call your vet, especially if you cat has a history of respiratory problems.
If you previously adopted a cat when you were home all the time, and now you are away much more, your cat might get lonely. If your goal is to keep boredom at bay, then you might consider getting them a playmate in the form of another cat.
Your cat needs to eat dry food most often. Kittens need wet food more than adult cats because it’s easier to chew. When they get older, their teeth benefit from harder dry foods. If you have an extremely finicky cat, you could mix dry and wet food together.
If you can’t please your cat, these tips will at least help you can take care of him. Use the tips in this article to ensure that your cat is being well cared for. Then, he MIGHT start being nice to you. Perhaps….