Cats are very interesting animals and you will love yours right away if you decide to adopt one. Your cat deserves a happy and healthy life and it is up to you to provide it. Go over this article to find out more about how you can care for your cat.
Don’t let your cat near drape cords. These can cause your cat to choke if they get a hold of it. This may seriously injure or kill your cat. Hide the cords for safety sake.
Cats really enjoy squeezing into any and all small spaces. If they have to wear a collar then there may be a risk because your cat could end up getting stuck. A breakaway collar will let go if it is pulled on too tightly. A collar like this could save your cat’s life.
If your cat is a female, it needs to be spayed when it reaches the appropriate age. Even if you own an indoor cat, it might produce many kittens if it escapes during mating season. The best method of preventing your cat from pregnancy is to get her spayed.
Your cat can devastate your furniture with its claws. A kitty tower can really save your furniture. Encourage your cat to scratch where you want them to. This approach takes time, but it usually works.
Be careful as small kids may treat kittens too roughly. Tell them how to be gentle. Show them to pick up kitty gently and the types of activities which are appropriate. Cats have weaker bones than dogs and need more gentle treatment.
Don’t let your cat outside. The outside world is very dangerous for cats. The cat can get fleas or something much worse. It can also be potentially hurt by cars, people or other animals. When your cats go outside, keep an eye out to make sure they do not wander too far away.
Are you the proud owner of both a cat and dog? Most dogs will not hesitate before munching on your cat’s food. This makes it a good idea to have a cat feeding place high up enough that your dog can’t get to it. This can prevent squabbles over water when their food is gone.
If you are experiencing an issue with your feline friend, seek advice from others. You can solve most problems by yourself, but you might benefit from the experience of others. You can find several cat forums online where you can ask questions, or you can choose to simply call your vet for advice too.
Litter Box
Make sure that you do not instruct your cat on using the litter box. This is the sort of thing which flows naturally. Many people think rubbing a cat’s paws in litter will teach them to use the litter box, but it might actually traumatize them.
You don’t want to punish a cat if they do their business outside of their litter box. If this happens, it may be because you have not kept the box as clean as you should. Punishing the cat will only make him afraid to be around you in the future.
To help avoid a finicky cat, feed your cat different brands of cat food. 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.
Don’t bring home a cat with long hair without taking into account the extra care they’ll require. Long-haired cats are beautiful animals, but keep in mind that they will shed everywhere in your home. You must be willing to spend more time cleaning your home. Hair balls are also more prevalent in long haired cats.
Is cat hair getting into everything you own? Cats can shed quite a bit; therefore, it’s important that you maintain proper grooming habits by brushing them often. If your cat sheds a lot, you need to brush it more often. This also prevents matting and tangling.
Take notice if and when your cat ever stops conducting their business in their litter box. There are many health conditions that can cause your cat to use the restroom in places other than their own litter box. A variety of infections and kidney disease can cause your cat to stay away from the box when they suddenly associate it with pain due to their medical condition. Ask your vet if your cat begins missing the litter box.
Make sure you provide adequate space to a cat that is about to give birth. It could take 3-4 hours for every kitten to arrive, so be patient. If it’s been over 6 hours and you think there are more kittens inside, they need to see a vet immediately.
Your feline friend should always wear a collar and tags with your name and contact information. An indoor cat should also have a tag with this information because he or she can sometimes escape. If this occurs, you must be sure that your animal can find its way home.
Chemicals that have phenol in the should not be used around a cat. This chemical is often in Lysol and certain other regular household cleaners. The smell from this chemical is disliked by cats. Also, when exposed to phenol for too long, it can cause issues with their liver.
If you were home all the time when you first adopted your cat and are now going to be out of the home, your cat might get lonely without you there. If this is proving to be a problem, consider getting another cat to keep them company while you’re gone.
Cats are very popular as pets in nearly every corner of the globe. You have to work hard to keep them healthy and entertained. Internalize the tips you have read here to be the best cat owner possible. Your cat will love you more for this!