Feral cats are cats that live their lives wandering loose on the streets or in the wild. These abandoned kittens make up nearly half of the population of domesticated felines and can become a troublesome pest if you live in urban areas. Read on to find out how to care for him.
Visit your local shelter if you’re thinking about getting a cat. Shelters have tons of great cats and their adoption fee will generally cover necessary vet care. A cat gets a new chance at life and the cat population stays in check with adoption.
If your cat is female, you need to get it spayed at the proper age. You may keep your cat inside, but she could still slip outside and become pregnant. Unless you want the hassle of getting rid of kittens, spaying is the best option for your cat.
Flea Products
Never use something that is intended for a canine on your feline. Cats often have negative reactions to dog products. This happens a lot with flea products. These dog flea products can even cause feline death. Your cat needs to be away from the dog after your dog has received a flea treatment.
Think about getting a microchip implanted in your cat. Even indoor cats may get out of your home at some point. Tags and collars are great, but they don’t always stay on your cat. They can also be a risk, should they get snagged on something. Your name and the best way to contact you can be encoded on the chip, which is tiny. Most shelters have a scanner that can pick up the facts located inside the chip.
Chances are, your feline spends many hours grooming himself. When your cat has long hair, this can cause hairballs. To fix this problem, you can try buying a new food. Some cat food out there has a special formula in it that reduces hairballs. This benefits your pet and you.
When you buy a small kitty for your children, set the boundaries ahead of time. Let your children know what rooms you will allow the cat to go into. It’s also important to let them know that outside doors must be kept closed so that the cat doesn’t escape. Setting up rules ahead of time can help your kids understand better.
Cats enjoy being high up. Make sure your cat has a safe place to play. If a cat tree is not your style, clear off a sturdy shelf that he can jump up on. Providing a blanket or bed for your cat is an extra treat for them.
You shouldn’t be training your cats for litter box use. This is a natural instinct for felines, and it need not be taught. You may have heard that rubbing your cat;s paws in litter will help them learn, but that may have a traumatizing effect.
Brush your cat often. This keeps the fur well oiled and the skin healthy. Furthermore, it helps reduce all the loose hair. Avoid the choking that can be a result of hairballs which slowly build up as your cat grooms himself.
Acclimate your cat to its carrier. Cats can’t be punished like dogs. Encouragement is a better way to get your cats to perform. Leave the door to a carrier open at all times, and make the interior enticing with a beloved toy and blanket. After some time, your cat will respond better to the carrier. This will make it easier to mobilize your cat.
Now you know how to care for your cat properly. If left unchecked, stray cats can do a lot of damage. Just remember that cats are delicate creatures that need to always be handled with love and affection. You could even end up bonding with one of the feral cats.