Many people brag that cats make unrivaled pets. They’re fun to pet, play with and watch sleep, plus they get rid of mice. Read on to find out how to care for your kitty.
Give your cat plenty of love and affection. A cat’s companionship should be returned with the same. Cats are social animals and will thrive when they are included in daily activities and life. Your cat wants to be as much a member of the family as anyone else.
Most cats spend a large amount of time on grooming themselves. However, if it has a lot of hair, hairballs can occur. There are special foods you can give to your cat to reduce this problem. Some foods have special formula for hairball reduction, which will benefit you and your cat.
You should try your hardest to figure out the reason that you are hearing your cat meow. By paying attention, you should eventually learn why your cat is meowing. This could mean that your cat needs to go out or is hungry. Getting to know your cats cues will help you to interpret her meows.
Are you the owner of both a dog and cat? Dogs will always try to eat a cat’s food. This is why it’s important that the cat’s feeding area is in a spot that’s too high for a dog to get to. This will help prevent any fights that may occur between your animals.
Cats like to be up high. To make your cat happier, give him a lookout perch where he can check out the area. If a cat tree is not in your future, providing a stable shelving unit with no small items on it will do very well. Put a blanket on it so they can rest peacefully.
Give your cat canned food. While dry food is less costly, the canned food has added benefits. Your cat can get more water, fat and protein from canned food. For older cats, canned food chew easier. You should listen to what your vet recommends, though.
Be patient with your pets when you introduce a second cat into your home. There will be an inevitable adjustment period as your two cats get to know each other. Do not expect an instant friendship. Instead, look for them to hide frequently, hiss and possibly even become physical with each other. Eventually, they will come to tolerate and actually enjoy being together.
If your cat suddenly stops using the litter box, you should take him to the vet. It could be an indication of a serious health problem. A potentially serious illness can be prevented with some inexpensive antibiotics.
Play is an essential element of a cat’s daily life. Just like playtime is important for other types of pets, the same holds true for your cat, despite whatever their age happens to be. Older cats do not have the same energy level as younger ones, but they still like to play a little. Therefore, be sure you set some time for playing with your cat.
If your cat stops using the litter box suddenly, take note. When cats are suffering from something, they may end up going to the restroom randomly outside of their box. Kidney or bladder infections may be the reason. Consult with your veterinarian when your cat refuses to use its litter box.
If your cat is pregnant, make sure she has plenty of room to give birth. The birth process can last up to four hours, which means you must exercise patience. Once 6 hours have passed, if all the kittens have not been delivered you should seek the help of a vet.
Declawed Cat
Don’t ever let your declawed cat outdoors. Cats without claws cannot stand up for themselves if they encounter another animal. The result could be injuries or death. The only place for a declawed cat is inside, with you. Even in the case of indoor cats, you should only declaw the front claws. Leaving the back claws is no problem since they won’t scratch your furniture or floors.
Keep your eyes open for any signs of panting in your cat. Panting is normal for a dog. Your cat will pant if it is nervous or overheated but it could also be the sign of a more serious health problem. Take the cat to a veterinarian, especially if they’ve experienced previous breathing problems.
A cat may not be just like a dog, but they are a great addition to a family. Cats are natural hunters and they do not lose that instinct when they are pets. This makes cats extremely popular with owners.