Cats are great, but they’re not cheap to take care of. Vaccinations, toys and check-ups can set you back a lot of money. The following article details how you can own a cat without breaking the bank.
It’s crucial that your pet gets checkups from your vet regularly. Cats need vaccinations to keep them healthy, and your vet can keep an eye out for any other health issues. Try to stick with one vet during the life of your pet. This one vet will be aware of the cat’s history.
Regular visits to the vet will preserve your cat’s health. They need a routine check-up every year, maybe more of important shots are necessary. If your cat has any health issues or injuries, you should try and have them seen right away.
Put bitter apple on all electrical cords. You can also cover your cords under a rug or tape them to walls. Use some paper towel rolls to tuck loose cords. Put your electronics away so your cat is not tempted to chew on the cords.
Keep your cat active and entertained to avoid boredom. Cats need to play and get regular exercise. Unfortunately, lots of people who own cats neglect this. Cats who get bored can actually become depressed or display other undesirable behaviors. Give them plenty of space to roam and provide them with toys to give them some exercise. If your cat is an indoor cat, a cat tower or scratching post makes an ideal source of fun and exercise.
Litter Box
Your kitty’s litter box requires strategic placement. The box should be out of the high traffic areas and a good distance from where your cat eats. You’ll want to place the box in a spot with good ventilation to avoid unpleasant smells. Your cat is certain to appreciate a litter box that is put into a good location.
Male cats sometimes have crystals in their urine, but this can be prevented with the right cat food. Passing these crystals is painful and the vet bill to have this corrected is expensive. Try to find a cat food that has a low level of magnesium. Read the labels. Fish-based foods usually contain more magnesium than poultry-based foods.
Do you own a dog and cat? That dog will really love stalking (and eating) that cat food. Thus, you must keep cat food out of the dog’s reach. In doing so, you prevent spats and spitting over competition for water.
Cats like to be high up to see the surrounding area. For a happy cat, make sure you establish a safe environment for them to scan their surroundings. You should install a cat tree or allow your cat to climb on some shelves. For an extra treat, place a blanket or small bed up there too.
Talk to others when you have a problem with your cat. Although you might want to take care of things on your own, advice from other people with cats can be a big help. There are many online cat forums that will help you get questions answered. You could also try asking your vet.
To avoid having a picky cat, switch up the kinds of foods you give him. Cats who eat the same food day after day either grow tired of it, or it becomes the only food that they will eat.
Buy your cat a fountain it can drink from. Cats that live in the wild like drinking from running water, and they have the same desires in a home. Streaming water is your best bet. You could even consider turning on your sink a few times a day to let your cat drink from the faucet. So a drinking fountain makes a smart investment that’s both environmentally friendly and loved by your feline.
If you just own one cat but are considering obtaining another one, then you should ensure you allow a few weeks for your old cat and new one to become familiar with each other. Expect to see your cats avoid each other, hiss, or even confront one another. Over time, though, they will learn to tolerate each other and eventually form a close bond.
Keep your cat’s vaccinations and checkups up to date with the vet. As with children, cats have to be immunized. Wellness checks are important to avoid diseases and health issues. Please consider your cat as a family member, and take good care of them.
There are some thing that you eat that may not be good for your cat. These foods include grapes, onions green tomatoes and garlic. These foods will cause indigestion or much worse for your cat. Milk can too. It can give your cat stomach pains.
Avoid using phenol-containing chemicals if you have cats. Lysol, Pine-Sol and many other products contain this chemical. It causes liver problems in felines.
If your cat is prone to regular hairballs even after brushing regularly, keep reading for some great tips that can help you out. You can try adding a teaspoon or so of pumpkin to your cat’s food. You might even want to try to add a teaspoon of tuna water mixed together with the pumpkin to see if that helps. Cat food sometimes has an anti hairball formulation, which includes extra fiber in order to solve this issue.
Pets can take a lot of money to care for properly, and this includes cats. Cats require so much attention and care you would swear they are as needy as human children are. Now that you read this article, you know what it takes to properly care for your feline.