The Basics Of Cat Care – What You Should Know

by | Mar 27, 2022 | Cats

There’s nothing quite like the company of a cat, but only if you are a responsible pet owner. If you are unprepared for the costs, challenges, and care associated with raising a cat, you are not likely to have a good experience. The following are some ideas for making the process of cat care cost a bit less.

Part of caring for your cat is taking it to regular veterinarian checkups. They should have regular check ups annually, and more appointments should be made if they need to get important shots. Cats must see their vet right away if they start having health issues, injuries or other problems.

TIP! If your cat is a female, it needs to be spayed when it reaches the appropriate age. Even if she is an inside cat, you need to spay her because she could get out.

If you have an outdoor kitty, make sure to invest in a break away collar with an identification tag. Cats can get lost, and they need a tag to be found. Some required information on the tag would be the cat’s name and your personal phone number.

Electrical Cords

Spray bitter apple on electrical cords to keep cats away from them. Cats who love to chew need to be kept away from cords. You can bundle loose cords together and place them inside paper towel rolls. Any electrical cords that are really thin (and very tempting) should really be hidden whenever possible.

TIP! Avoid using dog products on cats. Cats will have a reaction that’s negative towards a product made for dogs.

Enticing kitty to stay off the kitchen counter is sometimes challenging. Cats have a natural predilection for staking out a nice elevated place where they have a good view of their surroundings. You may be able to battle this issue by giving your cat a high place to chill. Your cat will not go on your counters if there’s a cat tower close to the kitchen.

Be sure to show your cat affection as much as possible. They give us love, and we need to return it to them. Cats thrive when treated like part of the household, so involve them in daily activities around the house. This will increase the love that surrounds the family.

Think twice before letting your cat outside. Cats come to harm outside every day. They may acquire fleas or much worse things. Other animals, cars and people can hurt your cat. If letting your cat outdoors is important to you, let them out in a safe fenced area.

TIP! Prevent your cat from chewing on electrical cords by spraying bitter apple on them. If your cat is especially intent on chewing cords, keep them covered as much as possible.

Do you own a dog and a cat? Dogs will always try to eat a cat’s food. For this reason, you need to place your cat’s bowl in an area that is to high for a dog to reach. This is a good way to keep your pets from fighting over food and water.

Cat Owners

Speak with other cat owners about any issues you may be having. Although you may feel like you don’t need help, other owners may be able to give you good advice. The Internet will allow you to contact many forums and online communities for cat owners. Don’t forget, your vet’s office can also provide sound advice.

TIP! It may prove quite a challenge to make your cat stay off counter tops. They love to be able to look around from up high.

You don’t want to punish a cat if they do their business outside of their litter box. They’re doing it because the box is too dirty, or they may be sick. Punishing your cat will just make them afraid of you later on.

Make sure your cats always have identification tags on. This is essential, even for indoor cats. Cats are curious creatures, and you never know when they might wander off to explore. It is a good idea to include your own phone number along with the name and contact number of your veterinarian. This is especially true for cats with medical conditions.

Expect it to take several weeks for your current cat to accept a new cat in the home. In the early days, you may see a lot of posturing from the cats including hissing and swatting at each other. With enough time to acclimate themselves to the new arrangement, though, virtually any two cats will become willing, friendly, and perhaps even inseparable companions.

TIP! Feeding your male cat the proper food can help prevent crystals from forming in his urine. The cat is in pain passing the crystals, and the correction for this is costly.

When your cat starts urinating often or in odd places, it may be time to see the vet. This behavior may be indicative of an infection of the urinary tract or some other issue. Take the cat to the vet if it stops using the litter-box and let the vet diagnose the problem.

Is your cat shedding like a madman? You have to brush your cat to avoid their shedding. You should brush your cat quite a bit of they are prone to shedding. This will prevent your cat’s coat from getting matted or tangled.

Litter Box

TIP! Many times, cat meds can be purchased on the internet for less than they’d cost if you got them from your vet. In some situations, you may not have the choice to purchase meds over the Internet, such as a health emergency.

Your kitty’s litter box should be strategically placed. You may want to hide it away. It is important to locate the litter box where your cat can easily get to it. Cats are finicky, so you must provide an environment that is not inconvenient or off-putting to the animal. If the litter box is on a hard surface, make sure to put something soft underneath it.

If you notice that your cat isn’t using its’ litter box anymore, you need to take note. Lots of cat conditions will make it difficult for a cat to defecate or urinate in their litter box. A potential bladder or kidney infection may be the reason for this. If your cat stops going in the litter box, a call to the vet is in order.

Pets can be pricy to care for and cats aren’t an exception. Cats require a lot of care, almost like an actual human child. Fortunately, you have many options for providing essential care to your cat.