Many people make the mistake of not planning when they get a cat for the first time, and they run into a lot of issues. Never make the mistake of getting a cat without doing some research and planning first. Even with the most preparation, it can still be tough to anticipate everything a cat might do or need. The best plan is to use the tips in this article to prepare yourself and then expect to be surprised.
Good grooming is important for cats. You should comb and/or brush them on a regular basis. Do this often in order to aid in keeping your cat’s outer coat clean and healthy. It will also limit shedding and may cut down on hairballs. Your cat should be kept groomed so that they look great and you’ll also make your home look good.
Cats often view small spaces as a fun challenge. A collar can become a liability if your cat is especially adventurous. Breakaway collars are made to come off if tugged on vigorously. That’ll keep kitty safe.
Part of caring for your cat is taking it to regular veterinarian checkups. They should go in for a routine check-up at least once a year, possibly more if they need important shots. Cats should go to a vet immediately if they have any conditions, health problems, or injuries that need to be tended to right away.
The litter box for your cat needs to be in a good location. Don’t put it in a busy area, and keep it away from your cat’s food. The area should also be well ventilated so that it doesn’t smell too badly. Your cat and you will appreciate it.
If your cat is male, understand that he could develop crystals inside his urine, which can be very painful to him. Therefore, prevent this issue from occurring in the first place by feeding your cat the right type of food. The cat is in pain passing the crystals, and the correction for this is costly. Choose a cat food low in magnesium. Read the labels. Cat food with lots of fish tends to have more magnesium, while products with lots of poultry tend to have less.
You may be able to find a better deal on your cat’s prescription online instead of purchasing them from your veterinarian. Online prescriptions are not the best choice if you do not have the time to wait on a mail order, such as in a medical emergency. But, if your cat is on a regular medication, you can save quite a bit by buying it online.
Consider all the options before you let your cat be an outdoors cat. Letting your cat outside greatly increases his risk level. Your cat may get fleas or something even worse than that. Your cat might be injured by people, other animals and even vehicles on the road. If you need to let your cat out of the house, be sure it’s in a safe place.
Be careful when leaving your cat with your children. Children under five years old should always be supervised when interacting with a pet. They are just not mature enough to understand the danger they can pose for the kitten. As children get older, decide when they show the maturity to handle a small pet.
You should not train your cat to use a litter box. This will be something that the cat does on its own and it usually is not learned fro another. While some folks think you should pick up your cat and place their paws against the litter, this can actually be traumatic.
You want your cat to be wearing a collar with ID tags on a full-time basis. This is essential, even for indoor pets. Cats can slip out a door in a flash. Include your vet’s info as well as your own on the tags. Include medical issues if appropriate.
These tips for training cats can be applied to any breed or age as well as to any location. These are the fundamental concepts involved with raising a small feline, but the individual circumstances in which they apply will change from one person to the next. Just remember to offer lots of love and companionship to your cat. This is the key instruction to follow.