Cats are graceful, loving and beautiful. These felines are one of the most common household pets and flood the streets of every major city when active. You need to learn to live inside with them. Cats are intelligent, strong, and agile, but they can also be quite stubborn. You’ll need good advice to deal with them.
Check out your local shelter if you are thinking about getting a cat. There are tons of loving cats there, and the fees often cover the needed vet care. Adopting a cat this way helps to save their life and cut down on unwanted animal births.
You need to take your pet to the vet on a regular basis. The vet will be able to provide your cat with needed vaccinations and any medications it requires. Veterinarians also keep tabs on your cat’s overall health and diagnose any problems they find. For the most consistent pet care, choose one veterinarian and stick with them. This ensures that your vet knows your cat’s medical history.
Cats love to squeeze into tiny spots. If your cat is such a curious one, wearing a collar is a safety risk, as your feline might get stuck because of it while exploring. A breakaway collar let’s go if pulled on tightly. That’ll keep kitty safe.
Older cats will appreciate a heated bed; you can use a heated tile to create one! Allow a terra cotta tile to heat in an oven for 15 minutes at 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, wrap this up into a towel and place it underneath your cat’s bed. Change it regularly if you need to.
You may want to have a microchip put into your car. Even indoor cats may get out of your home at some point. Other measures like tags and collars are better than nothing, but your cat may wriggle out of them or they may be torn off by outdoor hazards. Microchips are minuscule, but can hold all the essential information about your cat and its hope. The chip will never be lost because it is under the skin and it can easily be read by any shelter or vet.
Never let a cat become bored. Cats require physical activity. Too frequently this need is overlooked by owners. If your cat is bored, it might develop a depression, obsessive compulsive behaviors or ruin some of your furniture. Give them lots of space for exercise and plenty of toys they can play with. If they are indoors, give them a scratching post or something to climb on.
Cats are generally great with kids, though small kids may be too rough. Make sure your kids understand how cats should be handled. Show them to pick up kitty gently and the types of activities which are appropriate. Cats have weaker bones than dogs do, and must be treated accordingly.
Understand that cats enjoy being elevated. A cat will only be happy if you give it a safe spot to look over everything. You can give your cat on a shelf to accomplish this. Adding a small pillow or blanket to the spot for napping will be very much appreciated too.
Brush your cat daily. Brushing improves the circulation of your cat and helps spread natural oils in the fur. It can also reduce the amount of loose hair they have. Brushing eliminates the formation of hairballs which may choke your cat and lead to buildup of excess hair in the abdomen when the cat grooms himself.
Never punish a cat for a mess outside of its box. They’re doing it because the box is too dirty, or they may be sick. If you punish the cat, it may shy away from you at future times.
Drinking Fountain
Provide your cat with a drinking fountain. Wild cats like to drink flowing water, and domestic cats are the same. The drinking fountain will look more inviting than a water bowl. Cats will even drink from the tap if they can! A fountain will allow your cat to drink like he or she is in the wild.
Take a cat who pees all over the house to the vet. This is likely to be something that should be looked after. In many cases, cheap antibiotics will resolve the problem and keep your cat healthy.
Long-haired cats require more care than their short-haired comrades. That lovely, silky coat won’t look nearly as good all over your floors as it does on the cat. You should not get a cat with long-hair unless you are ready to do a lot of cleaning. Also, cats with long hair tend to have frequent hairball issues.
Dogs wag their tails frequently when they are happy or excited to see their owners. When a cat wags its tail, it means something very different. Tail wagging in a cat usually means he is thinking of attacking or running away. If kitty starts wagging his tail while you’re holding him, it’s best to put him down so you don’t get scratched.
You should never medicate a cat with something that was meant for humans. If your cat is ill, you need to take him to the vet to get proper treatment. Using human medicine for your cat is harmful and can even cause their death.
With the tips provided you can stay on top by outsmarting your cat. They are going to learn which places they can go and what things they should leave alone. While they’re not as easy to train as a dog, they can be well-trained and be made into well-mannered companions for their owners.