“Feral” is a term for cats that have no home and wander the streets. Cats come with many issues from health issues to overpopulation. Continue reading to learn all you can about having a pet cat.
Your home likely has no small spaces a curious cat won’t want to investigate. If they are wearing a collar this can pose a safety risk, in the event that your cat gets stuck. A breakaway collar let’s go if pulled on tightly. This could help save your cat if it gets caught in a tight spot.
Keep your cat away from boredom. Cats need stimulation. Unfortunately, lots of people who own cats neglect this. Bored cats can suffer from depression, extreme compulsive disorders, and other harmful issues that can negatively impact their overall health and well-being. Provide your cats with the toys and space it needs. If you have an indoor cat, offer him a variety of toys, scratching post or objects he can climb on.
Give your cat lots of attention and love. Cats provide warmth and affection, and they also require the same from you. Like people, cats like to socialize and need to feel like they’re an essential part of your life. They want to feel like a contented and satisfied member of the family.
Look online for cat medicine. In an emergency, this won’t be much help, of course. However, if your pet gets regular prescriptions for a chronic or ongoing issue, you can often save up to 50 percent by shopping online.
If you have to travel with a cat you should remember their ears. 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.
Remember that very young children can be a bit too rough with a cat or new kitten. Spend time instructing your children on cat care. Demonstrate the proper way to pick up a cat and what they can do with the cat. Cats have more fragile bones than dogs so it is important to treat them with care.
Reconsider outside time for your cat. There are many dangers to your cat outside. Your cat could get parasites, or worse. They might get injured by some other animals, vehicles, or people. If you need to let your cat out of the house, be sure it’s in a safe place.
Don’t toss an older scratching post just because it looks worn. This is the condition that cats most appreciate. There is a good chance if you got rid of it and bought a new one that your cat would start scratching up your furniture.
Use canned food for your cat. It sometimes has more benefits over dry. Your cat will get more water and more vitamins and protein. Aging cats can chew this easier. You should ask your vet for some recommendations if you are not sure what kind of food to get.
Aired Cat
Think about how much extra care is entailed in bringing a long-haired cat into your home. While the long hair on a cat is beautiful, it doesn’t look so beautiful all over your home. If you don’t mind cleaning, get a long-haired cat. Not to mention cats that have long hair are more prone to getting issues with hairballs.
One way to get a cat to use the litter box is to move it to a different place in the house. A cat has instincts that tell it when it goes to the bathroom it is vulnerable. This is why a box should be placed in an area that is quiet and safe. Great suggestions include your basement and laundry room.
Don’t ever let your declawed cat outdoors. An outdoor cat who has been declawed cannot defend itself as well without claws; therefore, you are putting your cat in extreme danger. Declaw your cat if you plan on always having it inside. Only take out the front claws. Allow your cat to retain their back claws which are less damaging to indoor surfaces.
Hairballs can definitely be a problem. Brushing your cats fur should be your first step, but if that doesn’t help, here are a few additional tips. Give your cat’s regular food an addition of pumpkin (about a teaspoon’s worth). Flavor the pumpkin with a teaspoon of the water from a can of tuna. Anti-hairball foods are available commercially as well.
Do not overfeed your cat since this can lead to a lot of health issues in the future. Overfeeding your cat may cause it to become obese and develop serious medical issues. Watch your cat’s portions and make sure that you feed him a well-balanced diet.
Cats can contract many illnesses that you do. You should be able to recognize when your cat does not feel well. If so, be sure and make an appointment with your vet. The vet will be able to make sure that they are not suffering from anything more serious.
If the thought of your cat getting rabies, being subjected to fungus or catching fleas worries you, do not allow him to go outside. Even though it is possible these issues could affect indoors cats as well, they are definitely more prone to experience them if they are outside quite a bit.
Even if your cat stays inside full time, a tagged collar is a good idea. Your cat could get out of your house even if you don’t think they will. The collar and tag will make it easier for them to get home.
Take steps to take care of your cat properly so that they are healthy and not contributing to the overpopulation issue. Cats are prone to a number of issues, but with the right knowledge, you’ll be able to handle all of them. You should still be considerate of a cat’s sensitivities when interacting with it. It is possible to form an attachment with a feral cat and make him your pet.