Cats are amazing creatures. Their independence and intelligence can create such a fun-filled house pet experience. However caring for cats is not always easy. Give this article a read for some tips on cat care and how to keep your cat in good spirits.
Grooming is an essential part of your cat’s care. You can regularly brush or comb your cat. If this is done frequently, your cat’s coat will be much cleaner. It also stops hairballs. Regularly grooming your cat will help keep it and your home looking great.
Do not use dog products on your cat. Cats will react very negatively to any products intended for dogs. This is especially true of flea products. Some products designed for dogs could be harmful to your cat. In truth, your cat needs to be kept a distance from any dog just flea-treated for the first few hours.
If your cat goes outside, it is important to have a collar with a tag. Cats love to roam, so you need to give someone who finds your cat a way to contact you. Even if the tag just has your phone number, it can be the difference between your pet coming home and being lost forever.
Make sure your cat is not too bored. Cats should have a lot of exercise and playtime. Sadly, this is overlooked by many cat owners. A lack of stimulation can lead to psychological or medical problems for your cat, including depression, compulsive disorders, and chronic misbehavior. Make sure you give them lots of toys and room to play. Give them a cat tree to play with.
Why is your cat meowing? As you develop a relationship with your cat over time, it will become easier to determine why she is meowing. The cat may want something to eat or to get let out. You’ll learn her cues quickly.
If you’re thinking about raising an outdoor cat, you should strongly reconsider. This can be something that isn’t very safe for a cat. Cats can become infected with fleas, ticks and ringworm. They can get in a fight or be hit by a car. Let your cat go out in your backyard and play on your lawn.
Cats love heights. A happy cat is one that has a safe living environment. If a cat tree is not in your future, providing a stable shelving unit with no small items on it will do very well. Put a blanket on it so they can rest peacefully.
Litter Box
It’s important to let your cat see where you place the litter box, but it’s not always a good idea to force your cat to learn how to use it. This is natural to them and does not need to be taught. A lot of people think that rubbing a cat’s paws in its litter box may help them, but in reality, it can be damaging to them.
Brush your cat daily. Brushing can help to spread the natural oils and stimulate the skin’s blood flow. It will also remove loose hair. This is a good way to avoid hairballs, which are a serious health problem since they can cause choking.
Is your pet’s scratching post starting to look beat up? Don’t toss it out! This is the condition that cats like the most. When you bring in a new post, the cat may ignore it.
You need to buy some quality food for your cat. Look at ingredient lists, making sure that a protein source, such as beef, chicken or fish, is at the top of the list. The foods to avoid are those with a large amount of corn and low amounts of protein. Because cats are carnivores, their diet need only consist of a good source of protein.
Make canned food the mainstay of your cat’s diet. Dry foods are cheaper but canned foods are richer in vitamins and nutrients. There is more water in canned food and more protein and fat too. It’s much easier for older cats to chew it as well. Speak with your veterinarian, but keep this tip in mind.
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. They might hide from each other or hit each other. Sooner or later, they’ll tolerate and even begin to love each other.
There is a lot of responsibility involved with a long-haired cat. While long, silky hair is beautiful on a cat, the same fur appears far less beautiful covering your floor, dark clothing, and furniture. If you can handle the extra grooming and cleaning time, then a long haired cat might be a good choice for you. Be prepared to deal with hairballs, which are a problem for long-haired cats.
Cats are great pets to have around the home if you know what you’re doing when you’re caring for them. This is why it’s important to learn all you can about caring for your pet. Study these tips carefully. Take what you have learned, and use it to create a home that gives your cat a happy and healthy life.