Cats have lots of mental awareness, tactile agility, and physical power compared to other domesticated animals. You can find a cat in pretty much every city and in many homes. That said, having a cat in your home is very different! These smart and feisty creatures can be hardheaded and often require advanced care.
Drape Cords
You never want to leave the cords of your drapes dangling down. If your cat plays with looped drape cords, they could get caught around its neck, which presents a suffocation hazard. This could seriously injure or even kill them. Pin back drape cords to avoid this type of issue.
Your cat will want to climb into small spaces. If your cat is such a curious one, wearing a collar is a safety risk, as your feline might get stuck because of it while exploring. Collars designed to release when sufficient force is applied (“breakaway” collars) are a great idea. This will help you save your cat’s life.
The litter box for your cat needs to be kept in a good place. Don’t put it close to your cat’s food or in an area that gets too much traffic. To minimize odors, keep it in a spot that’s well ventilated. Both your cat and you will appreciate this.
When you get a cat for your kids, make sure your kids know the rules in advance. Let your children know which areas of the house are off-limits for the cat. Be sure that your children understand that an indoor cat must never be allowed outdoors. Clearly explaining the rules will limit future mishaps.
Cats generally will meow for a reason. Once you become familiar with your cat and its needs, it will become easier to determine what he needs when he meows. Maybe she wants to go out, or maybe she wants to eat. You should pay attention to these cues and you will eventually learn to decipher them.
Speak with friends and family when you have difficulty with your cat. Although you might want to attempt to handle the problem yourself, other cat owners can provide you with excellent advice that may help you to resolve it. There are also forums on the Internet which cater to cat parents.
Litter Box
Avoid spending too much time trying to train your cat to utilize its litter box. Cats instinctively understand what to do and teaching is not required. 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.
Make sure that your cat has a collar on with ID tags on it. This applies even to indoor cats. The lure of an open door or window is very attractive to your curious cat. Include your contact number along with the name of your veterinarian. This is very critical if your feline has specific medical issues.
New cats are sometimes not welcomed in the home. They will probably hide from each other, hiss or even attack each other. But, eventually, they will get used to the idea, and begin to tolerate, and even enjoy, each other’s company.
Cats may be smart, but you can be even smarter if you take the advice in this article. Soon, they will learn where to go and where to stay away from. Cats are not easily trained, but it is possible.