If you want to own a good pet, a cat is a great choice. They offer companionship, clean themselves and are easily trained. Continue reading to learn some excellent advice on how to raise a happy cat.
Flea Products
Don’t use dog portions for your cat. If you try to use products meant for dogs, it can make your cat sick, or even kill him. Flea products are a great example of this. These dog flea products can even cause feline death. Your cat needs to be away from the dog after your dog has received a flea treatment.
Most cats tend towards nocturnal behavior. It is likely that they will want to play while you are sleeping. If your cats are busy keeping you awake early, just close your bedroom door. This will ensure they don’t pounce on you at nighttime, or wake you up in other ways.
Pick a good spot for the cat’s litter box. Don’t put it close to your cat’s food or in an area that gets too much traffic. Choose an area that is well-ventilated to avoid bad smells. Your cat will be more comfortable and you will too.
Most cats spend a large amount of time on grooming themselves. When your cat’s coat is long, it can result in hairballs. Buy special food in order to help that problem. There are foods that are made to reduce the frequency of hairballs. It’s a smart move for your cat and your sanity.
If you’re taking kitty on a road trip, don’t play loud music. You may love belting out your favorite tunes as you drive on the freeway, but your cat probably enjoys softer sounds. To keep you cat from feeling nervous, keep the volume at a lower level. A trip is already stressful for a pet.
You should try your hardest to figure out the reason that you are hearing your cat meow. If you live with a cat for any amount of time, you will soon start to understand what your cat wants when she meows. Your cat could be hungry or thirsty, or it may want to leave the house. You’ll learn her cues quickly.
If your cat dirties the space near his litter box, don’t punish them. If this happens, it may be because you have not kept the box as clean as you should. Your cat will become afraid of you if you punish it or scold it too often.
Make sure to give your cats different types of food so that they aren’t as finicky. If you feed them the same cat food every day, they may not accept anything else. This makes it difficult to find food they’ll eat when a store runs out of a certain brand, or you are traveling.
Provide your cat with canned food rather than dry. Food that is dry is cheaper but canned food is better for your cat’s health. Canned food gives your cat more protein and the water content helps with hydration. This will make it easier for your older cats to digest. Speak with your veterinarian before making any major changes, however in general, canned food is better for your cat.
If you’re adding an additional cat to your home, give the cats a few weeks to get to know each other. In the beginning, they may not seem to get along at all. Cats usually learn to enjoy having a companion or at least put up with another one in their home.
Does it seem like cat hair is everywhere? Cats shed considerably; therefore, it is very important you brush them frequently. If your cat sheds a lot, you need to brush it more often. This keeps the coat from matting, too.
One of the most delightful things about a dog is the way they happily greet their owners. Cats also wag their tails, but for totally different reasons. Tail wagging for a cat is more subtle and can indicate many different emotions. Sometimes a cat wags its tail when threatened or frightened. If you happen to be cuddling with your cat when the wagging occurs, be prepared to loosen your grip!
Give your cat a collar that features your contact information. Even if you have a house cat, there is a chance that he or she may get out. It is important that you provide a way that they can get back home if that should happen.
Never allow your cat to be exposed to phenol chemicals. Phenol is typically found in cleaning products such as Pine-Sol and Lysol. The smell offends them and being exposed to it for several hours can cause liver problems.
If your cat is prone to hairballs and additional brushing has no effect, you may be able to resolve the problem in other ways. You can try adding a teaspoon or so of pumpkin to your cat’s food. You can also mix one teaspoon of tuna water in with the pumpkin. There are also cat foods that contain an anti-hairball component, usually extra fiber, that may solve the problem.
Beginning a new job out of the house can have an impact on your cat. One tried-and-true way to keep a cat from getting lonely is to pair it up with another cat.
Your cat needs to eat dry food most often. Kittens need wet food more than adult cats because it’s easier to chew. As kittens get their adult teeth, the hard food helps their keep teeth strong. If you have an extremely finicky cat, you could mix dry and wet food together.
Choosing a cat as your pet is wonderful. These animals can be very loving and help you reduce your stress. However, if you and your pet are going to peacefully coexist, you need to take good care of it. Apply what you’ve just learned, and you and your cat will enjoy each other for years to come.