There are so many joys you can get from just having a cat. It is naturally a lot of work as well. Responsibilities come with the happiness a cat brings to you. This article can help you see what they are. Become aware of what the commitment entails, then approach it wisely.
Remove the drape cords from visibility when a cat is in the house. It is easy for the cat to get his head caught among the cords when playing with them. This may harm or kill them. To prevent this from happening, keep any drape cords pinned away from any eyes.
Brush and trim your cat’s fur often to keep it looking sharp. Cats should have regular combings. If you do this often, their coat will stay clean. It also helps to reduce their shedding and can cut down on how many times they are spitting up hairballs. Grooming a cat properly will improve the appearance of your home and cat.
When your female cat is old enough, you should have her spayed. Even though your cat stays indoors all the time, there might be that one time she slips through the door when she goes into heat, which results in a litter of unexpected kittens. Unless you want the hassle of getting rid of kittens, spaying is the best option for your cat.
Male cats can develop crystals that form in their urine, so prevent this with the right food. It is painful for your cat to pass these crystals and the cost to have this treated by a vet is high. Choose a low magnesium food. Just as in the grocery store, take the time to read the labels. Fish products can have more magnesium when compared to poultry.
You may get much better prices on medications online. Naturally, some stuff won’t be available online. You can save as much as fifty percent on the stuff you regularly use.
Little kids shouldn’t be left alone near cats. Teach your kids how to treat a cat. Show them what activities are appropriate and how to pick them up. Feline bones are weaker than those of many other pets, so they must be handled with care.
Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. Tell your kids which rooms the cat is allowed in. If you’re raising an indoor cat, inform your kids that the cat can’t go outside. Setting the rules in advance will ensure your children understand.
Try to figure out the cause if you find your cat meowing excessively. As you develop a relationship with your cat over time, it will become easier to determine why she is meowing. They may want outside or may be hungry. When you understand what each type of behavior indicates, you can improve your relationship.
Seek the advice of others if you have a cat that’s giving you problems. It can really help to get advice from fellow cat owners. Your local veterinarian can be a valuable source of information, but there is also help available online by joining user forums geared toward cat owners.
Buy your cat a fountain to drink from. Cats who are in the wild prefer to drink from running water, and this holds true for domestic cats, as well. Streaming water is much easier for your cat to take in. In fact, some cats prefer running sink water to their own water bowls. A drinking fountain is a more environmentally-friendly way to allow them to drink naturally.
Getting a second cat is usually beneficial to both, but you have to give the two cats a few weeks to get acclimated to each other. Expect to see your cats avoid each other, hiss, or even confront one another. Sooner or later, they’ll tolerate and even begin to love each other.
Litter Box
Be aware of your cat stopping their litter box usage. Lots of cat conditions will make it difficult for a cat to defecate or urinate in their litter box. A urinary infection or a kidney problem could be responsible for your cat’s behavior. Be sure to go see your vet if your cat stops using its box.
One of the most delightful things about a dog is the way they happily greet their owners. Cats, however, move their tails or sway it side to side for totally different reasons. Cats wag tails if they sense conflict, or if they’re trying to decide whether to fight or flee. If you are petting your cat and its tail begins to wag vigorously, stay away from the cat. It may be ready to attack you.
It is best to keep cats indoors, near you and treated as part of your household. Cats who stay inside for most of their lives have a much better life span and are less likely to get diseases and parasites. Make sure your cat is trained as an indoor cat if you don’t want it to get diseases or other things that can happen when it’s outdoors.
As you know, the rewards of caring for a cat are numerous and can benefit you in a positive way. However, you must properly care for your cat in order for both of you to be happy. Apply what you’ve learned here, if you’re thinking of adding a cat to your life.