Cat provide many hours of joy for owners. However, it should be noted that owning cat also requires a lot of hard work. With cat ownership, comes many responsibilities. Thankfully, the following article will tell you all you need to know. Continue reading to learn more.
Female cats need to be spayed as soon as they reach the proper age. You may believe that this is unnecessary if your cat stays inside all the time; however, cats almost always find a way to get outside, especially when they are in heat. When this occurs, your cat could get pregnant. Having your cat spayed helps to control the pet population and will save you time and trouble.
Take your cat to the vet every year. A yearly visit for a regular check-up is important, with more frequent visits for shots as required. Cats should go to a vet immediately if they have any conditions, health problems, or injuries that need to be tended to right away.
Your home furnishings can fall victim to your cat’s sharp claws. Buy your cat a scratching posts to focus its attention off your furniture. Use catnip or other scents that are attractive to your kitty to encourage him to go there. This will take some time but will be a valuable investment.
Keep your cat active and entertained to avoid boredom. Although you may believe that cats just lie around, this isn’t the case. They need their exercise. Sadly, this can be easily overlooked. Cats who get bored can actually become depressed or display other undesirable behaviors. Give them time and space where they can exercise and toys they can play with. Indoor cats will be happier if you provide them with climbing resources and practical things such as scratching posts.
Litter Box
Do not discipline your cat if it makes a mess outside its litter box. The major cause of such accidents is usually because the litter box hasn’t been given the proper care. Punishing your cat will just make them afraid of you later on.
Make sure to give your cats different types of food so that they aren’t as finicky. This will ensure that your cat gets a taste of many different foods.
Feed your cat high-quality cat food. Read the ingredient label, and make sure a protein from meat tops the list. The foods to avoid are those with a large amount of corn and low amounts of protein. Cats are naturally carnivorous. If you want to keep them healthy and happy, you need to feed them plenty of animal protein.
Your cat should always wear a collar and ID tag. Even if it’s an indoor cat, this is important. The lure of an open door or window is very attractive to your curious cat. Those tags can help if someone finds your kitty. Make sure your info and your vets info is on it. This is also important if your cat has special medical needs.
It’s important that cats get play time. Really play is something that all mammals share, no matter the age. While older cats aren’t near as energetic, they still enjoy playing often. Take time to have fun with your cat.
Taking your cat to the vet regularly to get proper vaccinations and check-ups will ensure that your pet enjoys a long and healthy life with you. Just like with having kids, young cats need to be checked on to see if they’re doing okay from time to time. It also needs its shots so that you can avoid problems later on down the road. Your cat will be a valued member of your family, which means treating it just as you would other loved ones.
When dogs are excited or happy, they will wag their tails when they see their owners. When a cat wags its tail, it’s for a completely different reason. Tail wagging in a cat usually indicates a mental conflict that your cat is mulling over, such as deciding whether to flee or attack. Likewise, if you are holding your cat, and he suddenly starts to wag his tail, you may need to let him down to avoid swats or scratches to yourself!
As mentioned earlier, you benefit from having a cat. If you desire for your cat to benefit from a long life, proper care must be provided. Be sure and use the information provided if you are considering making a cat a part of your life.