Cats can be difficult to please. They can be very mysterious, even from the moment they enter your home. However, with the right tips, it’s easier to handle a cat properly. You should keep reading for some useful tips that will help you become a better pet owner.
If you plan on getting a cat for a pet, try looking into a local shelter. Shelters are overflowing with wonderful cats, and the adoption fee usually covers essential vet care. Besides, adopting a cat from an animal shelter means you are saving this cat’s life.
In order to be sure your cat is healthy, take them to their vet regularly. They should have regular check ups annually, and more appointments should be made if they need to get important shots. Make vet appointments immediately if your cat has a medical condition or has become injured.
When your cat accompanies you on a trip, remember to consider the health of their ears. Cats tend to prefer gentle sounds during the day. Therefore, keep your music or other sounds at an acceptable level.
Create a tablecloth that your cats can use. Cats like to make a mess when they eat. This can result in you having to clean up food outside its bowl if you don’t use a tablecloth. An easier way to do that is to either buy a placemat and put it underneath the cat bowl, or to cut a bit of fabric to use as a tablecloth that you can pick up and wash or shake over the garbage can.
Do you have both a dog and a cat? Dogs will eat a cat’s food any time they’re given the chance. Try locating your cat’s food in an area where the dog cannot go. This can also prevent unnecessary arguments between your pets over the water supply, once the food has been consumed.
Be very careful about allowing children to be alone with a kitten. Never leave a pet alone with a child who is any younger than five. They don’t know what harm they can do. Once the child is older and more mature, decide if they are ready for the responsibility of handling animals.
Cats love heights. To keep your cat healthy, provide your cat with a high place to sit. Placing a shelf or two up high will not take up too much space in your home. You could even place a small bed or blanket on the shelf to make your cat feel more comfortable.
Give your cat a good brushing regularly. It really helps move natural oils around the cat’s fur, and it improves blood flow. It will also minimize hair loss. This can reduce hairballs which can be harmful to a cat and build up in their stomachs.
Your cat deserves a high quality food. Your cat needs a lot of protein from meat, so read the labels before you choose a food. Steer clear of food made primarily of corn and fillers. Since cats are carnivorous, they require animal protein to stay in the best health.
If you notice your cat is urinating a lot or at improper places, you should take it to the vet. Many cats develop these behaviors in response to a health problem, such as urinary tract infections. Affordable antibiotics can solve concerns that may otherwise be quite serious.
Litter Box
It is possible that placing the litter box in a new part of the house will help your cat to bond with it. Cats often don’t go to the bathroom when they feel vulnerable, so move the litter box somewhere quiet. Try rooms that are less used, such as a basement or utility room.
Keep cats inside as much as you can, or at least close to you or your home. Research has shown that indoor cats have longer life spans than outdoor cats. You should go outside with your cat every day to play and exercise.
If your cat has been declawed, outdoors should be off-limits. Your cat will have no way of defending itself against other animals, which means it could get seriously injured or even killed. Indoor cats can be declawed, though. Even then, you should only have the front claws removed. Don’t remove the back claws. This will help ensure that your cat remains safe in case it gets outside, and back claws will not scratch any furniture.
Cats have a very sensitive nose and can easily detect any changes to their environment. This is good but can cause issues when you introduce something new to the home, like a new cat bed or scratching post. Don’t be upset if the cat does not take to these items immediately. Your cat is going to like them more as they acquire your home’s smell.
If your cat has frequent hairballs, and extra brushing hasn’t helped, here are some other tips that may help. Mix about a teaspoon full of pumpkin into your cats’ food. A teaspoon of tuna water mixed with pumpkin can also work. Some cat foods also contain a component for anti-hairballs, generally extra fiber, which may resolve the problem.
A cat can get lonely when your daily routine changes and you are no longer home during the day. To help avoid boredom, consider bringing another cat into the household.
Make dry food the foundation of your cat’s diet. Kittens need the wet food, however, due to their small teeth. As they develop adult teeth, the harder dry food helps to keep their teeth strong. If you have a picky eater, you might want to try blending wet food with dry food.
The things that this article has taught you should have you taking the best care of your pet you possibly can. Use them to make sure your cat’s health and needs are handled, so that you can be sure that all his needs are being met. If you do, you might see a positive change in your cat’s behavior. This is a possibility!