Owning a cat can be an incredible experience. Having said that, if you are a cat owner, understand that it requires some work. The commitment involves many things that you should take into account. The following article will explain to you those responsibilities. Keep reading to learn more about quality pet care.
Make sure that your cat is well groomed. A cat’s fur must be brushed or combed on a regular basis. This will help them maintain a clean and healthy coat. It also reduces their shedding and hairballs. If you groom your cat with care, both your pet and your home will look their best.
Cats love to get into tight, small spaces. If they have a collar on, this can be dangerous. Collars designed to release when sufficient force is applied (“breakaway” collars) are a great idea. This can save all “nine” of your cat’s lives.
Female cats need to be spayed as soon as they reach the proper age. It does not matter if you an indoor cat; if she gets out when in heat, you can end up with many kittens. If your cat has been spayed, however, you won’t have to worry about this happening.
Regular visits to the vet will preserve your cat’s health. They should go in for a routine check-up at least once a year, possibly more if they need important shots. If a condition, illness, or injury happens, your cat should be taken to the vet immediately.
Crystals in the urine, an issue many male cats have, can be avoided with the proper food. Passing such crystals is a painful experience for your cat, and your wallet isn’t going to enjoy the vet bill. Choose foods low in magnesium for your cat. Check the ingredients list on the label. Fish products tend to be higher in magnesium than poultry products.
You may be able to find a better deal on your cat’s prescription online instead of purchasing them from your veterinarian. There may be some cases in which you cannot buy online, such as in an emergency. However, for standard medications, like flea medications or heart worm pills, online sources offer a substantial savings to pet owners.
Make canned food the mainstay of your cat’s diet. While dry food is less expensive, canned food is healthier. The water content is higher, and there is more protein and fat in the canned food. If your cat is getting older, canned food is easier to chew as well. Speak with your vet, however generally speaking, canned cat food is better for your cat.
Ensure that your cat wears a collar and identification tags at all times. This is essential, even for indoor cats. Cats are inquisitive and will explore an open door or window if it is presented to them. They should wear a tag with your vet’s info as well as your telephone number. This is also vital if your animal has health issues.
Aired Cats
If you want a cat with long hair, be prepared to put in extra time and care. Shedding is a major issue that you will have to face. Long-haired cats can be very high maintenance over the course of the year. Long-haired cats are also more prone to hairballs.
Chemicals containing phenol shouldn’t be anywhere near your cat. This is something that’s often in Pine-sol, Lysol, and other popular cleaners. Cats hate the smell of phenol and continuously exposing them to it could cause liver problems later in their lives.
Cats’ powerful olfactory abilities mean that they can smell changes in their home. This applies to new pets and food in the home. You should give your cat time to adjust to new items in his world. Your cat is going to like them more as they acquire your home’s smell.
If your cat is spitting up hairballs frequently, and extra grooming does not help, these handy tips may help. Consider mixing cat food with a single teaspoon of pumpkin. You can mix the pumpkin with a bit of water from a can of tuna. Anti-hairball foods are available commercially as well.
Cats do best on a diet high in dry food. When cats are young they are going to have to have wet food due to having small teeth. As the adult teeth grow in, hard food can help to clean and strengthen the teeth. Dry and wet food can be mixed if you have a picky cat.
Placing sticky tape on your furnishings can be a helpful trick. The tape will keep your cat from scratching your furniture and upholstery. Certain pet stores even sell this type of tape for this reason. When your cat sticks to the couch, he’ll learn his lesson.
As this article has told you before, there is a lot to gain in owning a cat. In order for your cat to be healthy and happy, you must give it the right care and attention. If the thought of having a cat has crossed your mind, use the given information.