Cats make wonderful pets. If you are considering adding a cat to your household, read here about what is involved. Living with a cat is rewarding but does present some responsibilities unique to the cat species. Read on for useful tips.
Drape Cords
Keep your drape cords out of your cats reach. It is easy for the cat to get his head caught among the cords when playing with them. This may harm or kill them. Pin back drape cords to avoid this type of issue.
Cats enjoy finding small spaces to fit into. If they have a collar on, this might prove to be a safety risk if they happen to get stuck. Breakaway collars will “break” if they’re pulled too tight. This can keep your cat alive.
Your cat needs a collar and tag if it goes outside. Cats enjoy traveling far away, so a tag can help your cat get back home when lost. You have to be sure you have your pet’s name and number written on the tag.
Receiving plenty of positive, loving attention is important for your cat. Think of all the friendship and comfort cats provide to us. Cats, just like people, want to feel like a loved part of a family. Socialization is important to them. Make her feel like she is part of your family.
Use care if you have kids and a cat. A child less than five years old should not be left alone with a small pet. You may not have noticed a problem when you see them together, but very kids do not really understand they can accidentally harm or kill a kitten. As they age, you can determine how much interaction they should have with the animal.
Don’t get rid of an old scratching post. Cats prefer used scratching posts. 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.
Your cat deserves a high quality food. Always look at the ingredients first. You want to see either fish, chicken or beef noted. If the food uses fillers like corn and other things that are not protein, that’s not a sign of the good nutrition a cat needs. This type of food should be avoided. You have a carnivorous cat, and a diet consisting of animal proteins is essential.
Drinking Fountain
You should install a small drinking fountain for your cat. When cats are out in the wild they like to drink running water, and this is true in your home as well. Streaming water is much easier for your cat to take in. Cats will often drink from a running sink and actually prefer it over the water in their bowl. A drinking fountain is a more environmentally-friendly way to allow them to drink naturally.
Be patient with your pets when you introduce a second cat into your home. There will be an inevitable adjustment period as your two cats get to know each other. They may swat at each other or hiss; that’s nothing to be concerned about. But, eventually, they will get used to the idea, and begin to tolerate, and even enjoy, each other’s company.
If a cat urinates often or in odd places, it should probably go see the vet. This behavior may be indicative of an infection of the urinary tract or some other issue. A course of antibiotics often does the trick.
The best way to make sure that you have a healthy cat is to keep up to date with vaccinations and trips to the vet. Not unlike kids, kittens require vaccinations and check ups every so often so that they do not get sick. Your cat is wonderful addition to the family, and must be cared for in the same way that you would treat all members of your household.
Your cat should remain indoors and near your home. Indoor cats typically live longer than those who live outside. A cat that is properly exercised indoors won’t be at high risk of attack or disease like cats that remain outdoors.
Never give your pet any drugs that were designed for use by humans. If your cat is ill, you need to take him to the vet to get proper treatment. Pets that have taken human medications face serious injury or worse.
Panting is a bad symptom. Dogs normally do pant. Panting can be an indicator of health problems in your cat. Contact your vet right away, especially if they’ve had respiratory issues a while back.
Hairballs can definitely be a problem. Brushing your cats fur should be your first step, but if that doesn’t help, here are a few additional tips. Mix about a teaspoon full of pumpkin into your cats’ food. Another thing that works is a one teaspoon of the water that’s in a tuna can mixed with the pumpkin. Some cat foods include hairball fighting elements, such as fiber, that may be useful.
Give your cat varieties of dry food whenever possible. Kittens need wet food since they have tiny teeth. However, dry food is better for adult cat teeth. Dry and wet food can be mixed if you have a picky cat.
Getting a feline friend is a great decision. Cats provide plenty of affection and stress relief to their owners. However, caring for them properly is vital to their long term life and happiness. Use these tips to achieve a great relationship.