When they take in a cat for the first time, many families run into challenges they never considered beforehand. Getting pets before properly preparing is a disaster. Even well-educated cat owners are often faced with unexpected challenges. The best solution is to prepare yourself with tips like these and then expect the unexpected!
It’s crucial that your pet gets checkups from your vet regularly. Understand that cats require vaccinations in order to stay healthy, and the veterinarian needs to regularly check for any health problems. Try to keep the same vet during the life of your pet. They will understand your cat and its issues better this way.
Cats enjoy getting into spaces that are small. There are ways to make sure that their collar does not get stuck. 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.
Lessen the chances of your cat becoming harmed or killed by spraying all electric cords with something to keep them from chewing it. Bitter apple is a good choice and can be found at most pet stores. If your cat still insists on chewing your cords, try to cover as many of them as possible. If you have loose electrical cords, you can bundle them up and stow them away in a cardboard tube (think toilet paper or paper towel rolls). Whenever you aren’t using any thin, electronic cords, you should store them away.
Scratching Post
Cat claws are one of the worst enemies of your home and furniture. If you find your cat shredding your furniture, consider purchasing a scratching post or cat tower. When your cat scratches inappropriately, redirect him to the scratching post. Your cat will eventually understand they should only use the post or tower for scratching.
Keeping your cat off of the counter can be difficult. Cats enjoy high places so they can see what is happening around them. You may be able to battle this issue by giving your cat a high place to chill. An excellent tool for preventing your cat from jumping on the counter is a cat tower that is in the kitchen.
Use quality food to prevent crystals from forming in a cat’s urine. Passing these crystals is painful and the vet bill to have this corrected is expensive. Choose a cat food with low magnesium content. Read the labels. Products that contain fish are normally much higher in magnesium over ones containing poultry.
You can sometimes find better prices for cat medication online than getting it from your veterinarian. Online prescriptions are not the best choice if you do not have the time to wait on a mail order, such as in a medical emergency. But, if you’re having to buy pet medication regularly, you will be able to save up to half the price if you buy online.
Cats are usually great for kids, but smaller kids may be too rough with them. Guide your kids in handling a feline. Children need to know how to hold a cat and what sorts of play a cat likes. Keep in mind that a cat’s bones are much more fragile than a dog’s.
Avoid letting your cat go outdoors. Being outside all the time is not safe for a cat. It takes mere minutes for your cats to pick up fleas, be bitten by a tick or something far worse. Other animals and vehicles could also injure your cat. Cage in an area for a cat in your backyard if they must go outside.
Cats love high spots. Your cat will be truly happy if you provide a place for him to view his surroundings. If a cat tree is not your style, clear off a sturdy shelf that he can jump up on. To make it really special, put a bed or blanket up there too.
Speak to your peers about your cat issues. You may try to handle it yourself, but you might need input from other cat owners. There are online cat forums that allow you to ask questions as well.
There is no need to spend hours trying to litter train your cat. This is natural to them and does not need to be taught. Don’t try to force them into the litter box by rubbing their paws or face in it.
You need to buy some quality food for your cat. Pay attention to the ingredient list on any food you feed them. Protein needs to be one of the very first items on the list, while fillers like corn and other grains should be avoided. Steer clear of food made primarily of corn and fillers. Cats are carnivores, and they need a good amount of protein in their diet.
Litter Box
Be aware whenever your cat suddenly quits using its litter box. Some feline health problems may cause your cat to refuse to use their litter box. A urinary infection or a kidney problem could be responsible for your cat’s behavior. Contact your veterinarian if your pet abandons its litter box.
Confine a sanitary area of the house for your cat to give birth. It can take several hours for the process to unfold and all kittens to be born, so be prepared to spend some time with your cat. If the birth takes an excessively long time or you believe a kitten is stuck inside, an immediate visit to the veterinary hospital is essential.
The tips you just read over can help any cat owner, no matter what their cat’s breed is. There are several concepts involved when you raise a little cat, however, the way these are applied differs from one circumstance to the next. Make sure you find time for fun with your cat because this is very important.
