Cats are naturally curious. Your cat may seem to be very independent, but keep in mind that she needs you. They may be a confusing animal at times, but you will love it when they jump on your lap and purr. This advice will assist you in properly caring for your cat.
If you plan on getting a cat for a pet, try looking into a local shelter. Shelters all over the country are crowded with marvelous cats, and most provide veterinarian care with the adoption fee. You’re literally saving their life.
Cats like sneaking into small spaces. A collar can become a liability if your cat is especially adventurous. A breakaway collar let’s go if pulled on tightly. This could help save your cat if it gets caught in a tight spot.
If your cat is older or sick, a heating pad may provide comfort. Bake a one-foot tile made from terra cotta in the oven at 200 degrees F for around 15 to 20 minutes. Place it in an older towel and place it underneath of the feline’s bed. If necessary, you can change out the tile after a few hours to provide continued warmth.
Get your cat to a vet on a regular basis for the best health possible. A yearly visit for a regular check-up is important, with more frequent visits for shots as required. If you notice that your cat appears to be experiencing some sort of illness or injury, do not delay a trip to the vet.
Flea Products
Don’t use items on a cat that are meant for a dog. Products designed for dogs or other animals could cause a negative reaction from your cat. Flea products especially. Using dog flea products on your cat can kill them. If you own a dog, and they’ve been given a flea treatment, you should separate them from your cat for a few hours.
A tagged collar is essential if you let your cat outside regularly. This can help if your cat becomes lost while wandering in the great outdoors. You have to be sure you have your pet’s name and number written on the tag.
Make sure your cat is out of harms way by putting a little bitter apple on all the electrical cords to avoid them getting shocked. Cat can sometimes chew on cords, and they should be covered to prevent this. Use paper towel or wrapping paper rolls to bundle up cords. If you have rarely used electronics, put them up when you aren’t using them.
Kitty claws can be quite destructive to fabric and furnishings. If your kitty is doing this, one way to redirect his behavior is to purchase a scratching post or cat tower. Teach your cat to scratch this instead of the legs of a couch or sofa. This solution might take time to take, but it will help in the end.
While cats are good pets for children generally, smaller children may treat them too roughly. Guide your kids in handling a feline. Give them examples of how to be gentle with it and what should and should not be done. Tell them that a cat’s bones need to be handled more gently than those of a dog.
Litter Box
Don’t think that you can teach a cat to use its litter box. This is not something that needs to be taught. In fact, it comes naturally for them. Some cat owners believe they should expose their cat to the litter box and rub its paws into the litter; however, this may actually have the opposite effect and make your cat scared of it.
When your cat makes a mess somewhere other than their litter box, don’t get mad. It might be happening because you aren’t caring for the box good enough. It isn’t fair to punish a cat for wanting a clean area to do its business, and you don’t want to make the cat wary of you.
To help avoid a finicky cat, feed your cat different brands of cat food. If you feed them only one type of food, they may refuse to eat anything else. However, stick with the same brand, and just vary the flavors because cats can have stomach problems if you vary the food too much.
Feed your cat quality cat food. Check out the ingredients, and make sure it includes protein, such as meat, as the first item in the list. Don’t give your cat foods that have corn or other elements that have no protein. Cats are carnivores and need animal protein to stay healthy.
New cats are sometimes not welcomed in the home. In the early days, you may see a lot of posturing from the cats including hissing and swatting at each other. After a bit of time, you’ll have two cats that will tolerate, and possibly enjoy, each other.
If you notice that your cat has stopped using its litter box, you’ll want to contact your vet. Some feline health problems may cause your cat to refuse to use their litter box. A potential bladder or kidney infection may be the reason for this. If your cat stops going in the litter box, a call to the vet is in order.
Cats are very interesting creatures and you could spend the rest of your life trying to figure them out. Use the tips you just read to care for your cat. Having cats are great and when caring for them correctly, you’ll have some happy family friends.