Cats make great pets, but they can also make expensive pets. After paying for shots, toys, cat food, litter and grooming, you may feel like reconsidering your choice to own a cat. These tips will help you own a cat without spending a fortune.
Local rescue organizations are a great place to look for a new pet cat. Shelters all over the country are crowded with marvelous cats, and most provide veterinarian care with the adoption fee. You’re literally saving their life.
A heated tile for underneath your cat’s bed can provide real comfort. A terra cotta tile heated in your oven on about 200 degrees and for 15 minutes will do. Then, wrap this up into a towel and place it underneath your cat’s bed. When the tile cools down, change it out for a fresh, warm one.
If you have an outdoor cat, make sure he is fitted with a tag and collar. A lost cat is much easier to locate if they are properly tagged. The tag should contain at least the cat’s name and your contact information.
Keeping cats from a counter really can be tough. Cats have a natural predilection for staking out a nice elevated place where they have a good view of their surroundings. You can control this tendency a bit by making high places in the house that you feel comfortable having your cat utilize. If you place a cat tower around the kitchen area, they may be less likely to lay on your counters.
A microchip for your cat is something that you should really consider. Even cats who live completely indoors may someday decide to bolt out the door or escape out of a window. Cats can get out of a collar or, worse, have that collar choke them to death. A microchip, on the other hand, is inserted near your cat’s shoulder blades, takes only a second to do, and all of your current contact info can be read through the chip. Every shelter and most veterinarian offices have microchip scanners that can read the chips, and best of all, they chips can’t be lost.
Give your cat plenty of love and affection. Cats provide warmth and affection, and they also require the same from you. Without love, cats may not socialize with your family. They should feel like a valued family member as well.
Little kids shouldn’t be left alone near cats. Make sure your kids understand how cats should be handled. Demonstrate how the cat should be petted and handled and encourage your children to be very gentle. A cat’s bones can be quite fragile and they need to be treated gently.
You need to establish some boundaries if you are getting a cat for your children. You can then teach your kids which areas your cat can go into. If you’re planning to have an indoor cat, explain to your children that the cat is not allowed to be outside. Creating rules and boundaries will help the children learn what is allowed.
Don’t teach the basics of using a litter box. They will do it on their own and don’t need to be taught. A common misconception is to rub your cats paws into the kitty litter however this isn’t a good idea.
Help your cat get accustomed to the carrier. Cats just don’t respond like dogs do when it comes to punishment. Cats learn well when they feel encouraged. You should place a toy or a blanket inside the carrier and place it in an area where it will be noticed by your cat. Soon, your cat will naturally enter the carrier. As the cat becomes used to being in the carrier, it will become easier to transport them in it.
As you can see, cats are not an exception when it comes to the necessity of spending money on on your pets. They need a lot of help, and it can be just like caring for a small child at times. Fortunately, now that you are more informed by the knowledge presented here, you can save money and enjoy a better cat.