Cats are one of the easiest pets to have for many reasons. They’re fun to pet, play with and watch sleep, plus they get rid of mice. Read on to find out how to care for your kitty.
Cats enjoy getting into spaces that are small. If your cat gets caught on something wearing a traditional collar they could end up hurting their neck trying to break free. A collar that will breakaway is the best idea for safety. Using this collar will prevent your cat from injuring itself.
A heated tile for underneath your cat’s bed can provide real comfort. You should heat a terra cotta tile with your oven, at about 200 degrees, for around fifteen minutes. Wrap this in a towel that’s old and then place it under the bed the cat sleeps on. If necessary, change this out every few hours.
Put bitter apple on all electrical cords. Cords should be covered, especially if your cat tends to chew on them. Hide those loose cords and keep them out of sight in no longer needed paper towel rolls. The cords on electronics should be hidden as well.
Generally, cats love to stay on the counter. Cats like to climb on things and a counter can look very inviting. One good way to beat this problem is by giving your kitty some safe, high perches throughout the house. For example, give them a cat tower nearby.
Cats are generally nocturnal. The result is that cats prefer to be more active during the night. Close the door to prevent the noise from getting to you. This will stop them from bothering you at night, and playing with your feet beneath the covers.
The litter box for your cat needs to be in a good location. It should not be placed in a high traffic area, and it should be far away from the cat’s food. Put it in a ventilated area to reduce odors. Your cat and you will appreciate it.
Your cat can take lots of time to groom themselves to what they consider “perfect.” In long-haired cats, hairballs can result from excess grooming. There are foods which help combat this problem. Some cat food brands have formulations to prevent or reduce hairballs, which will make life easier for your cat and you.
Anytime you travel with a cat, their ears should be monitored. Cats tend to prefer gentle sounds during the day. Therefore, keep your music or other sounds at an acceptable level.
While cats are good pets for children generally, smaller children may treat them too roughly. Make sure your child knows how to pet a cat. Demonstrate the appropriate way to pick the cat up and how to play with them. Cats have more fragile bones than dogs so it is important to treat them with care.
Cat Outside
If you want to let your cat outside, think again. It might not be safe for your cat to go outdoors. They may acquire fleas or much worse things. There’s the chance that your pet could be harmed by other animals or passing vehicles. If you must let your cat outside, do so in a very small area of your backyard or lawn.
You don’t want to punish a cat if they do their business outside of their litter box. Improper box care on your part causes the mess, not the cat. Punishments given to the cat will just make him or her less willing to be around its owner going forward.
When your cat starts urinating often or in odd places, it may be time to see the vet. Cats sometimes behave like this if they have a urinary infection or other medical problem. Some inexpensive antibiotics can clear up a potentially dangerous illness.
If you have a female cat that is in the process of giving birth, make sure you provide her a spacious area. Labor can last as long as four hours, so stay patient. If you suspect that there are more kittens inside your cat and it has been six hours of labor or more, you should take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.
There are certain human foods that you should never feed to cats. Some of these foods are green tomatoes, grapes, onions and garlic. These foods are healthy for humans, but they can make cats very sick. In addition, milk can also upset your cat’s stomach.
Apply some sticky tape to your furniture. A little strategically-applied tape can discourage your cat from tearing upholstery and scratching furniture. Your local pet store may carry tape for this. You can put this tape on your furniture and get a scratching post to get your cat out of this habit.
Think a lot before you give your cat scraps from the table as treats. Human food is just that, meant for humans. It contains ingredients that aren’t meant for cats. When you want to give your cat a treat, feed him no more than a tablespoon of boiled chicken or beef. However, if you feed a cat the right cat food, he is already getting proper nutrition.
Cats and dogs provide two different benefits to a home. A cat will seek out small rodents for you and love to be part of the family. Cats are quite good at all they do and do not mind sharing their life with you. These skills are one of the many reason cats make such wonderful pets.