Cats make wonderful pets. If you’re considering adding a cat to your family, read this article. There are plenty of great pieces of advice that would be of use to any potential cat owner below.
Shop at your local pet shelter for your next cat. Shelters always have plenty of cats available and adoption fees are usually very affordable. When you adopt a cat from a shelter, you save a life and help keep the cat population under control.
Regular vet checkups for your cat are very important. Cats need yearly shots and overall health assessments. It is best to always take your cat to the same veterinarian. They will learn your cat’s history best.
Cats love to get into tight, small spaces. A collar can be a dangerous thing to wear in such a place. If your pet is wearing a breakaway collar, it’ll detach if it’s pulled too hard. This will help you save your cat’s life.
Put a heated tile beneath the bed of an older cat. Use a terra cotta tile to help relieve your cat’s aches and pains; put it in the oven on low heat – 200 degrees or so – for 15 minutes. Put the tile inside a towel and place it under the cat’s bedding. If possible, re-heat several times throughout the night.
Spraying the electrical cords in your home with a bitter apple solution helps keep the cats from chewing on 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. All thin cords should be put up when you’re not using them.
It’s very important to get your cat microchipped. Even indoor cats may get out of your home at some point. Tags and collars are great, but if a cat escapes them, there’s no guaranteeing they’ll make it home safe and sound. A microchip is tiny, similar in size to a single rice grain and capable of holding plenty of information. Most vets and all shelters can scan these chips to get your contact information and there is no risk of losing the chip.
Chances are, your feline spends many hours grooming himself. Hairballs are more common in long-haired cats. There are special foods you can buy to try to help with this particular problem. The are specially formulated cat foods that help reduce the instances of hairballs, which is not only good for your cat, but also good for you and your feet in the middle of the night.
If you’re looking for good prices on cat medications, check online sources. The prices will usually be substantially better than at your vet. Online prescriptions are not the best choice if you do not have the time to wait on a mail order, such as in a medical emergency. But for routine medication purchases, you may find a discount of 50 percent online.
Remember to take care of your cat’s ears if you travel with him. Although you might enjoy jamming to your music, understand that cats prefer peace and quiet. Try turning down your tunes or keeping it off to make your cat’s trip better.
Think over whether or not you should let your cat go outdoors. This could be harmful and unsafe. Your cat may pick up some fleas, or worse. Other animals, cars and people can hurt your cat. Let your cat go out in your backyard and play on your lawn.
Are you the owner of both a dog and cat? 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 prevent the two from fighting over the water when the food dishes are empty.
Take care if you leave a kitten with youngsters. A child less than five years old should not be left alone with a small pet. Young children are not yet mature enough to realize what behaviors are dangerous to a cat. As they age, you can determine how much interaction they should have with the animal.
Cat Owners
If you’re having an issue with your cat, try to get some input from other cat owners. Although you may feel like you don’t need help, other owners may be able to give you good advice. Use the Internet to share tips with other cat owners and ask your questions or talk with your neighbors, friends or veterinarian.
A cat can make a great pet. They offer lots of comfort and can be stress relievers. But you’ve got to understand how to properly care for your cat. Use the advice in this article in order to ensure that your cat lives a long and healthy life.
