Many people really are not prepared for the full responsibility of cat ownership. When one adopts unprepared, bad things can happen. Although, preparation may not be enough to fix every cat problem. A great idea for you is to read the suggestions here and add a few more tidbits to your list of expectations.
You should not use products designed for other animals. Cats don’t like dog products. This will especially be true if it’s a product for fleas. Some products designed for dogs could be harmful to your cat. You need to separate your pets when you treat them for fleas.
Keep your cat away from boredom. Play is important to the health and vitality of your cat. But, too many cat owners fail to realize this. Cats that are frequently bored may develop OCD, depression or other harmful conditions. Provide them with space to exercise and lots of toys to play with. If your cats are kept inside, set up a carpet lined scratching pad or post. There are many climbing structures that can be purchased or made for cats who enjoy heights.
Be attentive to your cat and give them your love and company, often. Cats need just as much companionship as they give out. Like most people, cats like to socialize and feel that they are included in the family. They want to feel like a valuable, happy family member, too.
Male cats may develop crystals in the urine, which usually occur as a result of a poor diet. Passing these crystals is painful and the vet bill to have this corrected is expensive. Give your cat foods that are low in magnesium. The best way to find out is to read the label. Fish-based foods usually contain more magnesium than poultry-based foods.
Online outlets offer better prices for cat medicine than vets. In an emergency, however, this might not be possible. It is possible to save up to 50% on certain medications by purchasing them online.
Cats are generally great with kids, though small kids may be too rough. Make sure your child knows how to treat a cat. Show them to pick up kitty gently and the types of activities which are appropriate. Cats don’t have strong bones like dogs do, so they need to be treated gently.
Make a tablecloth for your cats. Sometimes cats like to take food out of the bowl and eat it to the side of the bowl. That means you will have to tidy up the food left beside the cat bowl. Use a placemat under your cat’s bowl or cut some fabric to create a small tablecloth. Shake the placemat or cloth over the garbage regularly.
If you’re getting a kitten for your children, discuss this with them before bringing the cat home. Make sure that you let your kids know which areas of the house the cat will be allowed in. If you’re planning on keeping your kitty inside full time, make sure your kids know their pet shouldn’t go outdoors. Creating rules and boundaries will help the children learn what is allowed.
Cats do not need to be taught how they should use the cat litter box. Cats instinctively understand what to do and teaching is not required. You may have heard that rubbing your cat;s paws in litter will help them learn, but that may have a traumatizing effect.
Litter Box
If your cat does not use the litter box, do not use punishments to try to discipline him. Your cat probably did not use the litter box because it is not well taken care of. Punishing your cat will make it afraid of being close to you.
Feed your cat top quality food. You should check the ingredients and make sure the food you give your cat includes a healthy source of protein, such as chicken, fish or beef. Don’t feed your cat food that includes corn or other fillers. Cats are carnivores and their diet should reflect that.
Such training concepts are useful for all types of cats. There are certain common problems that arise when raising a kitten, but some cats will exhibit unique problems. The number one thing you should do is enjoy having your cat around.