Although cats make great pets, they can be expensive. The cost of vet bills, food, toys, and cat litter are enough to make any person reconsider owning a cat. These tips will help you own a cat without spending a fortune.
Prevent your cats from playing with drapery cords. Whenever cats jump on these cords, they might get tangled up in them. This could hurt or kill them. Be sure your drape cords are strongly secured.
If your cat is a female, it needs to be spayed when it reaches the appropriate age. It does not matter if you an indoor cat; if she gets out when in heat, you can end up with many kittens. Having your cat spayed helps to control the pet population and will save you time and trouble.
Be cautious about using canine products on your feline friend. Cats often have negative reactions to dog products. Flea products are a prime example. Dog flea prevention products will kill your cat. You should keep your cats and dogs separated after using a flea treatment.
Keep your cat’s litter box in the right location. It should not be placed in a high traffic area, and it should be far away from the cat’s food. Also be sure that the cat litter area is ventilated so the smell doesn’t linger. Your cat and you will appreciate it.
Avoid the chance that your male cat will develop crystals in his system that will come out in his urine by feeding a high quality diet. This problem is painful for the cat and to your wallet, as well. Feed cats food that’s low in magnesium. Check the label. Avoid fish products.
While cats are good pets for children generally, smaller children may treat them too roughly. Make sure your kids understand how cats should be handled. Show them what activities are appropriate and how to pick them up. Cats have weaker bones than dogs so should be treated carefully.
If you get a cat for your kids, make sure to set clear boundaries in advance. You can then teach your kids which areas your cat can go into. If you want to have an indoor cat, explain to your children that they cannot let it go outside. Establishing these boundaries ahead of time prevents any confusion.
You should brush your cat very regularly. It really helps move natural oils around the cat’s fur, and it improves blood flow. It is also a good way to reduce shedding. Doing so reduces the occurrence of hairballs, which are a choking risk. It also benefits the cat’s stomach by reducing the animal’s need to clean itself.
Canned food is usually the best option for your cat. It sometimes has more benefits over dry. The moist food gives your cat water, and it usually has more protein and fat in it. Canned food is much easier to chew for older cats. Talk to the veterinarian prior to making any big changes; but, usually, canned food is best for your cat.
Expect it to take several weeks for your current cat to accept a new cat in the home. Cats usually do not like change, especially when it comes to another cat. Therefore, they may hide, hiss, or even fight one another. After a bit of time, you’ll have two cats that will tolerate, and possibly enjoy, each other.
If your cat suddenly stops using the litter box, you should take him to the vet. Cats can show this behavior if they have a type of urinary tract infection or other health issue. Most of the time, these conditions can be resolved with relatively affordable antibiotic treatments.
As you can see, cats are not an exception when it comes to the necessity of spending money on on your pets. Cats have complex requirements, which leads many people to compare their needs to those of a small child. The tips provided will help you properly take care your cat without breaking the bank.
