Have you welcomed a cat into your home? If you have ever befriended a cat, you should understand how unique and wonderful cats can be. All cats need proper care and love. Thankfully, a bit of knowledge will help you succeed. This article will show you how its done.
If you plan on getting a cat for a pet, try looking into a local shelter. They have tons of amazing cats who desperately need a home. Adopting your cat through a shelter means you are helping to control the cat population and saving a life at the same time.
Cats like sneaking into small spaces. They can get caught or stuck if they happen to be wearing a collar. A collar that is a breakaway model will detach itself if it gets pulled on. This can make the difference in whether your cat have nine lives or only a couple of them.
Put your cats’ litter box where it is most acceptable to him. Don’t put it where the cat can’t reach it or near their food. Additionally, don’t make the mistake of putting it in a poorly-ventilated area, or the smell will become overpowering. Your cat will be more comfortable and you will too.
Male cats can develop crystals that form in their urine, so prevent this with the right food. A cat passing the crystals can be very hurtful with an expensive vet bill to boot. Choose a cat food low in magnesium. The best way to find out is to read the label. Fish products are usually higher in magnesium.
If you get a cat for your kids, make sure to set clear boundaries in advance. Let your kids know where the cat can go. Make sure the kids know if your cat is indoors only. If your children know the rules beforehand, mishaps are less likely.
Make sure you are cautious about leaving a young child alone with a small kitten. Kids under five should not be left alone with a pet. Most of them simply aren’t mature enough to grasp the concept of danger to themselves or the animal. Wait until your child gets older, and pay close attention to whether or not they’re mature enough to hold or handle a tiny pet.
Discuss any issues you have with your pet with others. Although you may want to go it alone, it can be helpful to seek advice from other people that have experience owning cats. There are many online forums that discuss cats. Most vets will also be happy to help you with some advice.
It’s important to let your cat see where you place the litter box, but it’s not always a good idea to force your cat to learn how to use it. This is not something that needs to be taught. In fact, it comes naturally for them. A common misconception is to rub your cats paws into the kitty litter however this isn’t a good idea.
Brush your cat’s coat often. This helps spread out the cat’s natural oils in their fur and stimulates blood flow in the skin. You will also decrease the amount of fur throughout your home. Brushing eliminates the formation of hairballs which may choke your cat and lead to buildup of excess hair in the abdomen when the cat grooms himself.
Rotate the variety of food you feed your cat. Keeping the same kind of food around most of the time makes it to where they only want that specific food.
You want your cat to be wearing a collar with ID tags on a full-time basis. This is necessary even for an indoors pet. The lure of an open door or window is very attractive to your curious cat. Include your contact number along with the name of your veterinarian. This is also vital if your animal has health issues.
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. Take the cat to the vet if it stops using the litter-box and let the vet diagnose the problem.
If you desire a long-haired cat, it’s best to know what kind of care is involved before you do so. Shedding is a major issue that you will have to face. Don’t adopt a cat with long fur unless you’re sure you can handle the extra cleaning. You should keep in mind that long haired cats are more prone to hairballs.
Your cat will thank you if you avoid phenol in your cleaning products. This type of chemical can be found in Pine-Sol, Lysol, and other types of cleaners. Not only do cats intensely dislike the smell, the chemical can also cause liver damaged if they are exposed to it for a lengthy time.
If possible, make sure your cat is always indoors. Cats that stay indoors tend to live a lot longer because they’re not exposed to the elements outside of the home. Outdoor trips should be made in the company of the owner to keep cats safe from the dangers (like infections and attacks) that free-ranging cats face.
Your kitty is a member of your family that you should want to take good care of. You are now more educated on how to properly care for your cat. These ideas will keep your cat as healthy as possible. If you love your cat, you will receive much love back.