Does a cat reside in your home? If you have ever befriended a cat, you should understand how unique and wonderful cats can be. Cats are living beings that requite care and affection. Thankfully, a bit of knowledge will help you succeed. Continue reading to learn excellent cat-care tips in order to raise an excellent cat.
If you are planning to get a pet cat, be sure to check with your local shelter. Shelters are filled with beautiful cats, and the fee for adoption will basically cover the needed vet care. When a cat is adopted from an animal shelter it saves its life and it helps control the cat population.
Don’t use items on a cat that are meant for a dog. Cats will react very negatively to any products intended for dogs. Flea products should not be used on cats in any circumstance. Products used for flea prevention in dogs can be very harmful to your cat. Your cat needs to be away from the dog after your dog has received a flea treatment.
Cats frequently groom themselves. If your cat has hair that’s long it could get hairballs. There is a special food on the market that does help out with hairball issues. Some foods contain extra oils and nutrients, specifically designed to prevent or diminish hairball concerns.
A proper diet for male cats will help prevent kidney problems that cause them to pass crystals with their urine. Passing crystals is very painful for your cat, and the vet’s bill will be painful for you. Try to find a cat food that has a low level of magnesium. Check the label. Avoid fish products.
Reconsider having an outdoor cat. Cats come to harm outside every day. Fleas can infest your cat, or something worse can happen. Cats can be gravely injured or killed by eating poisonous plants, flowers or chemicals, hit by a car or even harmed by neighbors who are irritated with your cat on their property. When your cats go outside, keep an eye out to make sure they do not wander too far away.
Are you the owner of both a dog and cat? Dogs will always try to eat a cat’s food. Try locating your cat’s food in an area where the dog cannot go. This can prevent squabbles over water when their food is gone.
Use care if you have kids and a cat. Children under five years old should always be supervised when interacting with a pet. They are just not mature enough to understand the danger they can pose for the kitten. As they age, you can determine how much interaction they should have with the animal.
Your cat should always wear a collar and ID tag. Even if yours is an indoor cat, this is still an important safety measure. The lure of an open door or window is very attractive to your curious cat. The tag should have your phone number on it. This is also vital if your animal has health issues.
If your cat or kitten begins to urinate frequently or in places other than his litter box, a trip to the vet may be in order. This behavior may be indicative of an infection of the urinary tract or some other issue. A potentially serious illness may be able to be treated by inexpensive antibiotics.
Litter Box
Think about where you want to put the litter box. Your first instinct may be to hide it away out of sight and out of smelling range. Make sure your cat can easily reach the litter box at all times. Felines can be finicky. This means you must give them the right location and make sure it is inviting. Instead of just keeping the box on cold cement, add a rug or mat beneath it.
One of the most delightful things about a dog is the way they happily greet their owners. Cats may wag as well, but the meaning can be quite different. If your cats tail is wagging, it could indicate that the animal is facing a fight-or-flight situation. It also suggests possible conflict or uncertainty. If while being held by you your cat’s tail begins to wag, you may want to put him down so that you are not scratched or hit.
You should not let your de-clawed cat outdoors. Since the cat is not able to adequately defend himself from attack, there is a risk of serious injury. Indoor cats are the only ones that you should declaw. However, you should still only remove the cat’s front claws. Leave the back claws, as these do not scratch your floors or furniture.
Just like humans, being overweight can harm a cat’s health, so do not feed him too much. Overeating can cause obesity in your cat, which can cause serious illness, similar to people. Keep your cat eating healthy and consistent at all times.
Use sticky tape on your furniture. This type of tape helps prevent your cat from scratching your furniture if it does this constantly. There is specific tape for this sold at pet stores. You can put this tape on your furniture and get a scratching post to get your cat out of this habit.
Inspect your home for holes that could possibly be dangerous for your cat. Cats are able to fit through gaps that are very small. Kittens especially can fit into small spaces. Keep this in mind when adopting a new cat. Seal up all holes no matter how small they might seem.
Do not allow your cat to eat from your hand or under the table. The way human food is cooked and the ingredients involved makes for it not being a good choice for your cat. If you want to give your cat a treat, give them a tablespoon of beef, chicken or egg. This is not necessary, though. If you feed them the right food appropriate to their size and age, they need nothing else.
You love your cat, and you want to make sure they are well taken care of. After reading this article, you should have a good foundation of knowledge on how to care for your pet. Use what you have read here so that you can have a cat that’s in good shape and happy. Your cat will love you if you love him.
