There are so many reasons to enjoy having a cat. That said, they’re not easy to care for. With cat ownership, comes many responsibilities. This article list some tips and responsibilities that a good cat owner should know. Keep reading for some very helpful insights you can apply today.
Look a local animal shelters for cats. Shelters have lots of great cats available, and your adoption fee often covers key veterinary services. Adopting your cat at a shelter allows you to save a cat’s life while also helping mitigate overpopulation.
Older cats will appreciate a heated bed; you can use a heated tile to create one! A terra cotta tile heated in your oven on about 200 degrees and for 15 minutes will do. Use an old towel to wrap around it, then place it beneath the cat’s blanket or bed. When the tile cools down, change it out for a fresh, warm one.
You can keep your cat away from electrical cords by spraying them with some bitter apple. If your cat likes to chew cords, hide the cords as best you can. You can take loose cords, bundle them up, and stick them inside the tube from an old roll of paper towels. Put away electronics that have tempting, thin cords when you’re not using them.
You may want to have a microchip put into your car. You never know when your cat could get away from you. Tags and collars are great, but they don’t always stay on your cat. They can also be a risk, should they get snagged on something. Microchips are minuscule, but can hold all the essential information about your cat and its hope. Nearly every vet and shelter owns a scanner which can read a microchip, and since they’re implanted, there isn’t a risk of the chip falling out or getting lost.
Are you the owner of both a dog and cat? Most dogs will not hesitate before munching on your cat’s food. For this reason, you need to place your cat’s bowl in an area that is to high for a dog to reach. The added benefit is that you will prevent fights over the other animals food and water when one of them runs out.
Cats like to be up high. For a happy cat, make sure you establish a safe environment for them to scan their surroundings. If a big cat tree is not something that can easily fit in your home, get a sturdy shelf that can be used as a perch. You could even place a small bed or blanket on the shelf to make your cat feel more comfortable.
Don’t try to show your feline how to go in the litter box. This should come naturally for your cat. You cannot teach it to do this. While some folks think you should pick up your cat and place their paws against the litter, this can actually be traumatic.
Keep you cat’s old scratching post even if it is beginning to look worn. You may believe that it’s in terrible condition, but cats typically prefer it this way. If you throw it away too soon, that cat may look to your furniture for some clawing while it slowly breaks in a new scratching post.
Feed canned food to your cat. 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. It’s easier for older cats to chew as well. Your vet can give you more information specific to your cat, though canned food is usually better.
If you are bringing home a new cat, make sure to give him time to adjust to your current cat. It usually takes about three weeks. 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.
If you notice your cat urinating more frequently or outside his litter box, then it might be time to see the vet. Cats may show this behavior if they develop an infection of the urinary tract, or some other health issue. Often this problem is quickly and inexpensively cured with a common antibiotic.
As was stated in the beginning of this article, you can benefit a great deal from owning a cat. If you desire for your cat to benefit from a long life, proper care must be provided. Be sure to use this information if you want to make a cat part of your home.