Cats are wonderful to have around, but they aren’t always easy to live with! Whether it’s grooming your cat, taking it in for check-ups at the vet, or arranging a diet that meets its nutritional needs, you’ll be putting plenty of effort into caring for your feline friend. Read on to pick up some handy tips you can use to make yourself a more responsible cat owner.
Make sure your cat is regularly visiting the vet for checkups. Understand that cats require vaccinations in order to stay healthy, and the veterinarian needs to regularly check for any health problems. Do your best to keep the same vet for your pet’s entire life. This one vet will be aware of the cat’s history.
Flea Prevention
Don’t use dog products on your cats ever. This can irritate your cat or cause an allergic reaction. One product in particular to pay close attention to is any remedy for fleas and ticks. Products used for flea prevention in dogs can be very harmful to your cat. Once you use flea prevention products on your dog, it should be kept separately from the cat for hours.
Lessen the chances of your cat becoming harmed or killed by spraying all electric cords with something to keep them from chewing it. Bitter apple is a good choice and can be found at most pet stores. If they like to chew on cords, try covering them as much as you can. You can hide away any cords inside the rolls that come inside paper towels. Any electrical cords that are really thin (and very tempting) should really be hidden whenever possible.
A lot of cat owners have a hard time keeping their cats off the counter. Cats love being up high so that they can see. You can try to combat this problem by designating some high-up places for your cat to hang out. Putting a cat tower in or near the kitchen can help keep the cats from laying on the counter.
Cats can spend hours keeping themselves and their fur clean. Long-haired cats often develop hairballs. There are special foods that can ease this issue. Some cat food out there has a special formula in it that reduces hairballs. This benefits your pet and you.
You will often find ways to save money on medication for your cat on the Internet instead of getting it from your vet. In some cases you may not be able to buy online, in the case of emergencies, for instance. However, if your pet gets regular prescriptions for a chronic or ongoing issue, you can often save up to 50 percent by shopping online.
Pay attention and try to figure out what is causing your cat to meow. If you have spent any significant amount of time around your cat, you will quickly find you can figure out what he wants when he cries. This could mean that your cat needs to go out or is hungry. Listen to what’s she’s trying to tell you, and you’ll begin to understand her cues.
You must take caution when leaving your cat with any children. Particularly if the children are younger than five, they need supervision. Little children do not have the necessary skills yet to handle a pet by themselves. Wait until your child gets older, and pay close attention to whether or not they’re mature enough to hold or handle a tiny pet.
Brush your cat’s coat often. Brushing can help to spread the natural oils and stimulate the skin’s blood flow. Brushing will also help to remove loose hair. This keeps hairballs at bay, which may cause choking and build up inside their stomach from self-grooming.
Taking care of cats may seem simple at first, and if you’re lucky enough to get one that doesn’t present any issues they are, but most require a lot of attention, TLC and a few vet check-ups. Consider the tips presented here to help you become a better pet owner and feel prepared for whatever your cat has in store for you. In the end, your efforts will be worth it.