Cats make wonderful pets for anyone. It is essential to educate yourself on how to properly care for your cat. Read on to find out more.
It’s crucial that your pet gets checkups from your vet regularly. Understand that cats require vaccinations in order to stay healthy, and the veterinarian needs to regularly check for any health problems. Try keeping the same vet throughout your cat’s life. This way, the vet will be very familiar with your cat and its history.
Your home furnishings can fall victim to your cat’s sharp claws. If your couch is starting to look like it’s been put through a shredder, it’s time to invest in a nice scratching post or cat tower. They can scratch the post instead. This solution might take time to take, but it will help in the end.
A microchip for your cat is something that you should really consider. Even a house cat may end up lost outside, no matter how careful you are. Although they provide the information needed to find your beloved pet, they can also accidentally get caught or even be wiggled out of. You can use a microchip instead; you can store your contact information in the chip and it will not bother your cat. They are impossible for your pet to lose, and most vets and shelters have equipment that can read these chips.
Cats appreciate all the affection you can give. Cats provide warmth and affection, and they also require the same from you. Your cat needs to socialize and get plenty of attention from everyone in your family. A cat can feel that he is a valuable, cherished part of their household.
Check prices online for your cat’s medication to see if they are cheaper than at your vet’s office. In an emergency, this won’t be much help, of course. Most of the time, you will get great discounts if you purchase on the web.
Tell your kids what the rules are about your new kitten. Let your children know which areas of the house are off-limits for the cat. If the cat is to be indoors, tell your children not to allow him outside. By getting these rules into place before having a cat, you’ll be sure that your children can understand.
Take care if you leave a kitten with youngsters. Children under 5 years of age should not be alone with the pet. Most of them simply aren’t mature enough to grasp the concept of danger to themselves or the animal. As children grow, it will be easier to see if they’re mature enough to handle a cat.
You should brush your cat very regularly. It really helps move natural oils around the cat’s fur, and it improves blood flow. Also, it helps manage loose hair. This helps keep those hairballs from building up in your cat’s stomach.
Is your pet’s scratching post starting to look beat up? Don’t toss it out! It’s in this condition that cats tend to love it the most. Removing the post could cause your cat to look for something else scratch, possibly damaging your furniture.
Invest in a cat friendly fountain. When cats are out in the wild they like to drink running water, and this is true in your home as well. Streams of water will attract your cat. Cats often like the running water more than their own bowl of water. A drinking fountain is a more environmentally-friendly way to allow them to drink naturally.
If you wish to add another cat to your home, give it a couple weeks for your old cat and your new cat to grow accustomed to each other. They may still hiss and growl when they are in the same room together. Over time, though, they will learn to tolerate each other and eventually form a close bond.
Are you having a hard time getting rid of cat hair? Cats do a lot of shedding, and it helps to brush them. Cats that shed a lot need to be brushed more frequently. Frequent brushing or combing keeps the cat from getting a tangled, matted coat.
If you notice that your cat has stopped using its litter box, you’ll want to contact your vet. When cats are suffering from something, they may end up going to the restroom randomly outside of their box. If your cat is not using the litter, kidney or bladder problems and infections may be the problem. Call the vet if your cat refuses to use the litter box.
Refrain from cleaning or using chemicals in the vicinity of your cat. This chemical is present in many household cleaners, such as Pine-Sol and Lysol. Your little friends find this smell completely offensive. Even worse it can cause liver damage over time.
Cats are really good at smelling, and that means they’re good at figuring out if something in their environment has changed. This is why it is sometimes difficult to get them to use something new, like a bowl or cat toy. The cat may be leery of the new additions at first. Once the cat gets used to the smell of the new item, quickly he or she will get accustomed to it.
As you can now see, cats make outstanding pets. To help you cat stay happy and healthy learn the proper procedures for caring for your new pet. Use all the tips you read in this article and find more sources you can use to learn more about cats. Use this information to keep your cat happy and healthy.