Cats make great pets, but caring for them can be costly. Medical expenses, toys, food and cat litter can quickly add up. For ideas to improve your cat’s health and happiness, read on.
Check your local animal shelter if you have plans to get a cat. Shelters are filled with beautiful cats, and the fee for adoption will basically cover the needed vet care. When you adopt a cat from a shelter, you save a life and help keep the cat population under control.
Don’t use dog portions for your cat. Cats will react very negatively to any products intended for dogs. This is especially true of flea products. Products used for flea prevention in dogs can be very 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.
Scratching Post
Your cat’s claws can wreck havoc on your furniture. If you have a cat that is wreaking havoc, buy a scratching post. You should scold your cat when it scratches your furniture and direct its attention to the scratching post or tower. Although this may take time, your cat should eventually claw the device rather than your furniture.
The litter box for your cat needs to be in a good location. Try to keep it away from areas of household traffic and away from your cat’s eating areas. Allow for adequate ventilation to dispel any odors. This will keep both you and your cat happy.
Prevent crystals from forming in the urine of male cats with the right diet. These crystals can cause your cat pain to pass, and your vet bill can be expensive. Choose a low magnesium food. Read the labels. Poultry-based foods are generally lower in magnesium than fish.
Be careful as small kids may treat kittens too roughly. Make sure your child knows how to treat a cat. Teach them what are appropriate activities and how to gently touch it. Cat’s bones aren’t quite as strong as dogs, so they must be treated gingerly.
Try not to let your cat go outside. Being outside all the time is not safe for a cat. Your cat may get fleas or have other problems. They might get injured by some other animals, vehicles, or people. If your cat has to be outside, make sure it is only in a small area near the house.
You may find it is helpful to talk to others about challenges you have with your cat. It is possible to work out the problem yourself, but help from others can be invaluable. You can find several cat forums online where you can ask questions, or you can choose to simply call your vet for advice too.
Litter Box
Don’t teach the basics of using a litter box. This comes quite naturally to them and is not something that is learned. While many pet owners try to introduce their cats to a litter box by rubbing their front paws in the sand, this can sometimes traumatize your furry friend.
Never punish a cat for a mess outside of its box. They’re doing it because the box is too dirty, or they may be sick. Punishing your cat will make it afraid of being close to you.
If your cat has a scratching post that is beginning to look worn, don’t get rid of it. To your cat the post is just right. If you toss it away in favor of something newer, your cat may look for something older to scratch, and that may end up being your furniture.
Expect it to take several weeks for your current cat to accept a new cat in the home. They may fight with each other initially. If you give them enough time though, chances are good they will befriend each other and enjoy the extra company.
Your cat needs good play time. All mammals love to play. While a senior cat probably won’t be very rambunctious, the right type of toy will get them interested. Take time and play with your cat regularly.
Check your cat if they suddenly stop using their litter-box. Abandoning proper litter box habits is often a warning sign of serious health problems in cats. Some common issues are bladder and kidney problems. Call the vet if your cat refuses to use the litter box.
Let your cat give birth in a large space. The kittens will arrive within three or four hours, so try to be patient. Bring your cat to her vet immediately if six hours have passed without all the kittens coming out.
When dogs are excited or happy, they will wag their tails when they see their owners. Cats also exhibit this tail-wagging behavior, but the message is different. A cat that is flicking its tail is either feeling threatened or predatory and is considering his next move. If you notice you cat begin to wag his tail when you are holding him, put him down to be sure you are not scratched or swatted.
There are things you can eat that your cat cannot. Examples include garlic, grapes, green tomatoes and onions. They can really hurt a cat if ingested. In addition, milk can also upset your cat’s stomach.
Be aware of holes around your home that your cat can get into. Cats can wriggle into surprisingly small spaces. This sort of behavior is particularly common in kittens. Know this when bringing another cat into your home. Cover all large holes to prevent a hazard for your cat.
Pets can take a lot of money to care for properly, and this includes cats. There’s so much that you have to do for them that it’s almost like taking care of a child. As this article has shown, there are many things that must be done to keep your cat happy and healthy.