Cats can be engaging and delightful, causing you to become engrossed in their playful games. Sometimes you should provide the entertainment yourself with something like a new toy, game, or activity. You don’t need to spend any money to enjoy some playtime with your cat. Use these tips to have better days ahead.
Drape Cords
Don’t let your cats play with drape cords. These can cause your cat to choke if they get a hold of it. This may harm or kill them. Be sure your drape cords are strongly secured.
Your home likely has no small spaces a curious cat won’t want to investigate. If they have a collar on, this might prove to be a safety risk if they happen to get stuck. A collar that is a breakaway model will detach itself if it gets pulled on. This kind of collar can turn a potentially-dangerous situation into a merely exasperating one.
To safely help an old cat feel comfortable, place a heated tile under its bed. Just heat a one-foot square terra cotta tile in your oven at about 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Use an old towel to wrap around it, then place it beneath the cat’s blanket or bed. If possible, re-heat several times throughout the night.
Ensure that your cat goes to the vet often so that they are healthy. A yearly visit for a regular check-up is important, with more frequent visits for shots as required. Never hesitate to have your cat checked out if you think that something is wrong; remember that your cat can not tell you they are not feeling well.
Don’t use items on a cat that are meant for a dog. Cats have very strong, negative reactions to products formulated for dogs. This happens a lot with flea products. Products used for flea prevention in dogs can be very harmful to your cat. You should keep your cats and dogs separated after using a flea treatment.
Do not allow your cat to be bored frequently. Cats should have a lot of exercise and playtime. Too frequently this need is overlooked by owners. Bored cats can become depressed and inactive, causing harm to their well-being. Make sure you give them lots of toys and room to play. If they’re inside kitties, get them a post or something else that they can scratch and climb.
Your cat most likely spends quite a bit of time grooming. If the cats hair is too long, this is what causes hairballs. Special food can help. Some food are produced specifically for hairball reduction, which will help.
Male cats often develop crystals in their bladder that come out in their urine. This can be prevented with a proper diet. A cat passing the crystals can be very hurtful with an expensive vet bill to boot. Food with a low magnesium content will help. Check the label. Poultry-based foods are generally lower in magnesium than fish.
Though cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Make sure your child knows how to pet a cat. Demonstrate how to pick up the animal and how to play with it as well. Cats need to be protected, too. Their bones are much more susceptible than dogs.
Are you a cat and dog owner? Understand that dogs will usually eat cat’s food if they can. This is why it is necessary to have two separate feeding areas. This will help prevent any fights that may occur between your animals.
Loose Hair
Brush your cat often. Brushing spreads natural oils through the fur and also stimulates circulation. It will also remove loose hair. Loose hair causes hairballs, a common problem for cats. The hair enters the pet’s stomach and they later cough it up.
You eat quality food, and if you want your cat to stick around a long time, they need quality food, too. Look at the ingredients and make sure protein like fish, chicken, or beef is near the top. Try to avoid foods that consist of corn, or other non-protein elements. Since cats are carnivorous, they require animal protein to stay in the best health.
Buy your cat a fountain it can drink from. Cats normally look to drink from running water. This is true in the wild or at home. Cats react better to a moving water stream. In fact, many cats like to drink from a running faucet instead of drinking from their water bowls. A drinking fountain will be good for the environment and can help the cat to enjoy its water more.
If you desire a long-haired cat, it’s best to know what kind of care is involved before you do so. Even though that nice coat of beautiful silky fur looks great, it can leave a mess on your floors, furniture and clothing. Don’t get such a cat unless you are prepared for the extra commitment they take over regular cats. Long-haired cats also often have hairballs.
Litter Box
You need to carefully consider where you put the litter box for your cat. Although you may want to have the litter box hidden in a place where you won’t smell it, your cat’s needs should be before your wants. Make sure that your cat can get to its litter box very easily. It has to be a quiet area with little traffic. If the box is placed on a cold floor, place a mat under it.
Cats have a heightened sense of smell, and they can detect environmental changes easily. This can cause problems when making changes in diet and surroundings. Don’t get discouraged if you find that your cat is not interested in these things right away. After your cat adjusts to the new scent, they’ll be more interested in the new object.
You could enjoy your cat more using these tips. The more you know about caring for your cat, the healthier and happier it will be. Playing with your cat will help them to not only have fun, but will give them the exercise that they need.
