Cats are fabulous animals. They have a loving nature at times, and yet are strangely intelligent and independent. Therefore, it is difficult sometimes to take care of your cat. Get some advice here on how to care for your cat in a productive and affordable way, making his life better overall.
Cats often view small spaces as a fun challenge. If they are wearing a collar this can pose a safety risk, in the event that your cat gets stuck. A breakaway collar is a good option since it will break if your cat pulls on it. This can make the difference in whether your cat have nine lives or only a couple of them.
If your cat is getting older, you can increase it’s comfort by placing its bed over a heated tile. Use a 12″ terra cotta tile and heat it by putting it in a 200ºF oven for 20 minutes. Put the tile inside a towel and place it under the cat’s bedding. You can even switch it out every few hours.
Prevent your cat from chewing on electrical cords by spraying bitter apple on them. Cords should be covered, especially if your cat tends to chew on them. You can do this by bundling them and tucking them in the cardboard rolls that are used for paper towels. Put your electronics away so your cat is not tempted to chew on the cords.
Keep your cat away from boredom. Although you may believe that cats just lie around, this isn’t the case. They need their exercise. Unfortunately there are too many cat owners who don’t properly exercise their cats. Bored cats can suffer from depression, extreme compulsive disorders, and other harmful issues that can negatively impact their overall health and well-being. Give them toys they can play with, play with them yourself, or at the least give them room to exercise. If they stay indoors make sure they have a scratching post for climbing.
Give your cat lots of attention and love. They give lots of affection and need some in return. Like most people, cats like to socialize and feel that they are included in the family. Make them feel at home.
Your cat most likely spends quite a bit of time grooming. Your cat can get hairballs in the event that their hair is too long. Buy your cat specialized food to prevent this problem. Some cat food brands have formulations to prevent or reduce hairballs, which will make life easier for your cat and you.
Children usually take well to cats, but if you have a small child, you may need to provide some instruction. Make sure your child knows how to treat a cat. Demonstrate the appropriate way to pick the cat up and how to play with them. Because cats are more delicate than dogs, they need to be handled more carefully.
Do you have both a dog and a cat? Dogs will always try to eat a cat’s food. Because of this, you should keep your cat’s food in a high spot that your dog won’t be able to reach. This will prevent the two from fighting over the water when the food dishes are empty.
Think twice before leaving a child alone with a kitten. Younger children, especially under 5, cannot be left alone with your cat. Young children are not yet mature enough to realize what behaviors are dangerous to a cat. Once the child is older and more mature, decide if they are ready for the responsibility of handling animals.
Train your cat to tolerate a pet carrier. Cats are not as responsive to punishment as dogs are. Encouragement is usually a much better option. Leave your cat carrier open and put a few special toys inside. The cat will be drawn to the carrier, where it will feel safe and comfy. It will be simpler to transport them using the carrier.
Make sure your cat gets plenty of opportunities to play. Playing is a very common activity shared by most animals. Even older cats like to play. Enjoy your cat every day.
Do you feel as if there is cat hair all over the place? Cats are big shedders, so you should brush them frequently. If your cat is shedding too often, you should brush it more regularly. This will prevent your cat’s coat from getting matted or tangled.
Check your cat if they suddenly stop using their litter-box. Using the bathroom outside of the litter box is linked to a number of cat health issues. Some common issues are bladder and kidney problems. Ask your vet if your cat begins missing the litter box.
Give the cat a collar with your contact information. This is also true for indoor cats. It is possible that the animal might accidentally venture out of your home. If this occurs, you must be sure that your animal can find its way home.
Indoor Cats
Don’t ever declaw cats that go outdoors. Your cat may be seriously injured or killed because they are not prepared to defend themselves against another animal who may attack them. Indoor cats are the only ones that should be de-clawed. Even in the case of indoor cats, you should only declaw the front claws. Leave the back claws, as these do not scratch your floors or furniture.
A cat is a great pet for your family, but you need to learn how to take good care of your pet. You should go over this article and learn more about how you can take care of your pet. Put the information to good use for your kitty friend so that you can have them in your life for many years to come.