Cats are amazing pets. They are independent, so they do not require you to supervise them 24/7. If you have a cat or are considering getting one, take a look at the handy advice below so that you can be a better owner and give your pet the quality care it deserves.
To help your aging cat feel cozy, place a warmed tile under his bed. Heat a fabric covered heating pad in the microwave for a couple of minutes, making sure that is not too hot to the touch. Wrap it up in a towel and place it under where your cat sleeps. Replace it every three hours or so.
You should take your cat to the vet on a regular basis to maintain optimum health. They need a check-up and possibly vaccinations. Cats need to see a vet right away if they have health issues, injuries or conditions that require immediate attention.
Nice furniture and cat claws don’t get along very well. If your beloved feline friend is shredding and damaging parts of your home, try investing in a cat tower or a scratching post. Put cat nip on it to attract them to it. Your cat will eventually understand they should only use the post or tower for scratching.
It may prove quite a challenge to make your cat stay off counter tops. Cats enjoy high places so they can see what is happening around them. You can control this tendency a bit by making high places in the house that you feel comfortable having your cat utilize. Your cat will not go on your counters if there’s a cat tower close to the kitchen.
Litter Box
The litter box for your cat needs to be in a good location. It shouldn’t be put in an area with high traffic and should be far from their food. Additionally, don’t make the mistake of putting it in a poorly-ventilated area, or the smell will become overpowering. Your cat is certain to appreciate a litter box that is put into a good location.
Make a tablecloth for your cats. Often cats prefer moving food from a bowl onto the floor to eat. This makes quite a mess. Think about putting a placemat underneath the bowl or make your own tablecloth out of fabric.
Do you own both a dog and a cat? Dogs will eat cat food right up. This is why you should have a feeding area for your cat that is too high for the dog to reach. The added benefit is that you will prevent fights over the other animals food and water when one of them runs out.
You shouldn’t leave a young cat with children unattended. If children are younger than five years old, pets ought not be left with them. You may not have noticed a problem when you see them together, but very kids do not really understand they can accidentally harm or kill a kitten. As your children get older, you can decide when to teach them about handling a pet.
Don’t stress yourself out about instructing your cat on proper litter box usage. They will do it on their own and don’t need to be taught. A lot of people think that they can take their cat and try to rub their cat’s paws on the litter, but this may just traumatize the cat.
Let your cat get comfortable using a carrier. You cannot punish a cat the same way you would a dog. Encouragement is usually a much better option. Leave your cat carrier open and put a few special toys inside. The cat will enter it on its own. Transporting your cat inside the carrier will then become much easier.
If you notice that your cat urinates very frequently, you should take it to the vet. They’re trying to tell you something is wrong. Some cheap antibiotics can resolve potential risks for your cat.
Play is essential to your cat’s life. All mammals love to play. Older cats may not have much energy, but they still like to play. Playing with your cat will help you to form happy and cherished memories to look back on.
If you have a cat who is pregnant, make sure that you give her a private spot that is closed away from other animals and has room for her to move in easily. It could take 3-4 hours for every kitten to arrive, so be patient. If you believe your cat is still giving birth after six hours, you should immediately drive to the vet’s office.
If kitty won’t use the litter box, try moving it. A cat will be more inclined to use the litter box if it is placed in a quiet and safe area in your home. Some great examples of such locations are basements, laundry rooms or any other less frequently used room in your home.
One way a dog shows affection for his owner is to wag his tail. Cats also exhibit this tail-wagging behavior, but the message is different. When a cat wags its tail, it is usually due to conflict and a potential decision of fight or flee. If a cat you are holding starts flicking his tail, then it is time to put him down.
If your cat was adopted while you were not working, your cat will get lonely when you go back to work. If your cat is going to be home alone often, then you should consider adopting a second cat.
Cat are great pets due to their intelligence and independent attitude. You must responsibly care for your cat in all the ways that it needs. Use what this article has taught you if you want to be the owner of a cat that does well in life. Then, your cat can really enjoy a full and fun life.