A cat is a great pet for anyone to own. Anyone who is new to cat ownership has come to the right place. The tips below are what every owner must know to have a happy life with their cat.
If your kitty is a female, make sure to plan a spaying once she is of age to breed. You may keep your cat inside, but she could still slip outside and become pregnant. Your best bet is to have your female cat spayed.
Regular vet visits are very important for your cat’s health. A yearly visit for a regular check-up is important, with more frequent visits for shots as required. If there are more pressing health problems, take your cat to the vet right away.
Never use any product intended for dogs on a cat. If you try to use products meant for dogs, it can make your cat sick, or even kill him. This warning applies to products for getting rid of fleas. When used on your cat, flea products for dogs can be lethal. Make sure to separate your cat from your dog after spraying.
Think about getting a microchip for your feline friend. You never know when your cat could get away from you. Tags and collars may be able to help you get your cat back, but cats can sometimes take these things off or they could get hung up on a tree or something. A teeny microchip can hold your contact information. Most shelters and veterinarians can scan your pet to read the information on the chip, and the chip cannot be lost since it is beneath the skin.
Cats sometimes will spend hours grooming themselves to perfection. If the cats hair is too long, this is what causes hairballs. To help prevent this from occurring, buy your cat special food. Some cat foods are specially formulated to help reduce hairballs, which is good for both you and your pet.
Think twice before letting your cat outside. Going outdoors isn’t very safe for a domesticated cat. Fleas can infest your cat, or something worse can happen. Your cat might be injured by people, other animals and even vehicles on the road. If you think your pet needs to go outside, think about enclosing a back patio with metal mesh or some type of heavy screen to keep your cat inside, yet allow them to experience the outdoors.
Do you have both a dog and a cat? A dog will take any opportunity they have to eat your cats food. This is why it’s important that the cat’s feeding area is in a spot that’s too high for a dog to get to. The added benefit is that you will prevent fights over the other animals food and water when one of them runs out.
Cats enjoy being high up. Make sure your cat has a safe place to play. If a cat tower is not ideal, a simple shelf that does not have any breakable items can work. The cat will especially enjoy it if you put a blanket on top.
Help your cat get accustomed to the carrier. You cannot train a cat the same way you train a dog because they react differently to punishment. Cats are much more responsive to positive interaction rather than negative. Leave your cat carrier open and put a few special toys inside. The cat will eventually get into it and feel comfy. Once this is achieved, you can transport your cat inside the carrier much easier.
Feeding your cat different types of food helps ensure they don’t get finicky. If you feed them only one type of food, they may refuse to eat anything else. However, stick with the same brand, and just vary the flavors because cats can have stomach problems if you vary the food too much.
A cat can make a great pet. They can help you to unwind and can bring you a great deal of comfort. You have to give them all they need to he happy and healthy, though. Be sure to use the advice above so that you and your cat can coexist for years and years.
