It is hard to describe how wonderful it is to have a cat. You also have to realize that having your own cat is hard work. There are many responsibilities that every cat owner needs to be aware of. Here you’ll see exactly what those are. Continue reading to learn some excellent approaches to caring for your feline friends.
Make frequent checkups with your vet to keep your cat healthy. Cats require special shots to prevent illness and the vet can check their overall health. Try to keep the same vet during the life of your pet. They will understand your cat and its issues better this way.
Keep your older cat comfortable by placing a heated tile underneath its bed. Simply heat a single foot cotta tile at 200 degrees between 15 and 20 minutes. Use an old towel to wrap around it, then place it beneath the cat’s blanket or bed. Change it out every few hours if you feel the need.
Take your cat to the vet every year. Most vets recommend yearly check-ups. If the animal requires certain vaccinations, more visits are necessary. When the cat seems to be acting abnormally, take it to the vet immediately.
Cat Gets
Think about having a microchip inserted in your cat. Even an indoor cat could someday jump through an open window. A collar and identification tags can help bring your pet back to you. But experts point out that collars that do not snap apart quickly if your cat gets it caught on a branch or even a bush can accidentally strangle your cat. Microchips are tiny and contain all your contact information. All shelters and vets have scanners to ensure your cat gets home safely.
While usually cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Teach your kids the right way to hold a cat. Demonstrate how the cat should be petted and handled and encourage your children to be very gentle. Tell them that a cat’s bones need to be handled more gently than those of a dog.
Do you have both a dog and a cat? Dogs often take advantage of dining on the cat’s food. Because of this, you should make the place that your cat food is in higher up so that the dog cannot reach it. Doing this will also help you avoid fights over the water bowl.
Take the time to make your cat familiar and comfortable with a carrier. Punishment affects cats differently from dogs. Encouragement is usually a much better option. Put their favorite toy and blanket in a carrier. Leave it somewhere they always go to. The cat will feel safe when it enters this carrier after a while. Then, you will have no problem using the carrier.
Mix up the food you feed your cat to avoid them becoming a picky eater. If you feed them the same cat food every day, they may not accept anything else. This makes it difficult to find food they’ll eat when a store runs out of a certain brand, or you are traveling.
Get your cat a drinking fountain. Cats normally look to drink from running water. This is true in the wild or at home. Streaming water is much easier for your cat to take in. In fact, many cats like to drink from a running faucet instead of drinking from their water bowls. Fountains keep the water cool and clean.
Your cat should be given food from a can. Although dry food is usually less expensive, canned food is better for your cat. There is more water, more fat and more protein in it. Older cats find it easier to eat, too. Speak with your vet, however generally speaking, canned cat food is better for your cat.
As previously stated, owning a cat is beneficial to you. If you desire for your cat to benefit from a long life, proper care must be provided. Be sure to use this information if you want to make a cat part of your home.