Owning a cat can bring you tremendous joy. It must be remembered that owning cats requires plenty of work. As the owner of a cat, you have many very important obligations to your pet. This article can help you see what they are. Keep reading to find out more.
If you plan on getting a cat for a pet, try looking into a local shelter. Many shelters have more cats than they can handle and the fees associated with adoption take care of vet visits. Adopting a cat this way helps to save their life and cut down on unwanted animal births.
If your cat is a female, you’ll want to spay her once she reaches the proper age. Even if she stays inside all the time, she could get out when in heat and end up pregnant. The best method of preventing your cat from pregnancy is to get her spayed.
If you have an outdoor cat, be sure he or she has a tagged collar. Understand that cats may travel a long distance; therefore, if it gets lost, this tag will assist you and others in finding it. The tag should have at least the pet’s name and the number where you can be reached.
Think about getting a microchip for your feline friend. Even an indoor cat can get the urge to run out of a door or leap through a window. 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. A microchip will hold the contact information to reach you and it’s only about as big as a piece of rice. Scanners to read pet microchips are available in every town and they will not come out from under the skin.
Don’t allow your cat become bored. Cats require plenty of exercise. Unfortunately, lots of people who own cats neglect this. Bored cats can become depressed and inactive, causing harm to their well-being. Give them plenty of space to roam and provide them with toys to give them some exercise. If your cats are kept inside, set up a carpet lined scratching pad or post. There are many climbing structures that can be purchased or made for cats who enjoy heights.
Cats are generally great with kids, though small kids may be too rough. Always train your child the proper way to handle a pet. Help them learn how to pick up a cat and care for it. Feline bones are weaker than those of many other pets, so they must be handled with care.
Do you own both a dog and a cat? Dogs will eat a cat’s food any time they’re given the chance. You should create a feeding space for the cat that is much too high for a dog to get to. This also ensures that there are no squabbles over the water between the two, when the food is gone.
Make sure to give your cats different types of food so that they aren’t as finicky. By giving them one kind of food all the time, it will be all they want to eat.
While a torn up scratching post might look unattractive, do not get rid of it. It’s in this condition that cats tend to love it the most. There is a good chance if you got rid of it and bought a new one that your cat would start scratching up your furniture.
If your cat is urinating a lot or in areas away from the litter box, they may need to see the vet. It could be an indication of a serious health problem. Affordable antibiotics can quickly resolve the problem.
It is important for a cat to have play time. Play is necessary for all mammals no matter the age or species. Even older cats love a little play, just not as rough. Take the time to play and have a little fun with your kitty.
If you have a pregnant cat ready to birth her babies, be sure she has enough space. It can take several hours for the process to unfold and all kittens to be born, so be prepared to spend some time with your cat. Bring your cat to her vet immediately if six hours have passed without all the kittens coming out.
Don’t use products with phenol in a house with a cat. The chemical is most often found in pine cleaners. The smell of the chemical isn’t pleasant for your cat and prolonged exposure may cause liver problems.
Keep your cat indoors as much as possible, close to home and near its owner. Indoor kitties typically live longer than the outdoor variety. While cats can get their exercise roaming the neighborhood and squaring off against other cats, they can also get diseases and injuries this way. Vigorous indoor play with an owner is a preferable way to get exercise.
A cat that is declawed should never spend time being outside. Since the cat is not able to adequately defend himself from attack, there is a risk of serious injury. The only place for a declawed cat is inside, with you. The front claws should be the only ones removed. The back claws are left because these won’t scratch your furniture or floors.
As mentioned earlier, there’s a lot of great things about having a cat. In order for your cat to be healthy and happy, you must give it the right care and attention. If you’re ready to take the plunge and adopt a feline companion, keep this article’s information handy!