Cats make great pets, but they’re not cheap to take care of. Vet bills, toys, food and litter all add up to a significant amount.This article gives information about some ways you can use to make living with a cat while saving money.
Contact local shelters if you want to adopt a cat. Shelters have a lot of cats in them and you can get one adopted for a small fee. A cat gets a new chance at life and the cat population stays in check with adoption.
Keeping cats from a counter can be difficult. Cats enjoy going into high places so they can easily see everyone and everything. You can try to combat this problem by giving your cat to hang out.
Cats will be up during the night more nocturnal than not. This means that they will be the most active during the night. This will reduce the cats away while you’re trying to sleep because they won’t be jumping all over you.
Make frequent checkups with your vet to keep your cat healthy. Cats need to get shots so they don’t get sick and a vet can help you make sure your cat is okay. Always use the same veterinarian if possible. They’ll understand what your cat has been through.
Give your cat lots of love and affection. Cats need just as much companionship they give out.They want to know they are a valuable part of your family.
You can sometimes find better prices for cat medicine online than buying them from your veterinarian. In an emergency, in the case of emergencies, this might not be possible. But, if you’re having to buy pet medication regularly, you can save quite a bit by buying it online.
If your cat is older or sick, a heating pad may provide comfort. Just heat a one-foot square terra cotta tile in your oven at about 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Wrap it tightly in a towel and place it under the cat bed. Replace it every three hours or so.
While cats are good pets for children generally, younger kids may be too rough with them. Make sure your kids understand how to pet a cat. Teach them which activities and how to gentle pick up the cat. Cats have more fragile bones than dogs so should be treated carefully.
If you get a cat for your kids, provide them with firm boundaries at the same time. Make sure everyone understands which parts of the house the cat is and is not allowed to roam. Setting rules in advance will ensure your children understand.
Never use a product on your cat that is intended for dogs. Cats usually react negatively to items made especially for dogs. This is particularly true when it comes to flea treatments. Products used for flea prevention in dogs can be very harmful to your cat. If your dog has been treated for fleas, keep him away from your cat for at least three hours.
Consider getting your cat a special drinking fountain. Cats usually like to drink from a water that is streaming. You have perhaps noticed that a dripping sink faucet quickly attracts their attention. A fountain is a more environmentally-friendly way to allow your cat to drink like he or she is in the wild.
Frequent or misdirected urination outside the litter box may warrant a visit to the vet is required. Cats sometimes behave like this if they have a type of urinary infection or other medical problem. Some inexpensive antibiotics can get rid of some dangerous illnesses.
Make sure your cat has a collar and tag if outside. Cats can go far from home and without a tag they could become lost forever. At least put your phone number and pets name on the tag.
Make sure that you play time is an important part of your cat as often as possible. Make sure you play with your cat regularly.
Your cat should remain indoors and near the person who owns it.Cats that stay inside have a much better life span and are allowed to roam your neighborhood.
It can be hard to prevent your cat from jumping on the counter. Cats enjoy heights, as they can monitor events from their perch. One way to nip this problem in the bud is to give your cat a dedicated perch of their own as an alternative to using your space. Having a cat tower near your kitchen will keep them off your counters.
Don’t send a cat that’s had its claws removed go outside. The cat won’t be able to fight back if other animals attack it and that could get hurt. Indoor cats are the only type of cat that you should declaw. If you must declaw a cat, do not remove the back claws. The back claws should remain as they will not scratch your furniture or floors.
Caring for your cat is fun but it can also be a lot of work. Being a cat parent can be labor and time intensive. Although, there are many ways that you can reduce the expenses for your cat and care for it in the way that it deserves.
You may want to have a microchip implanted in your cat. One day, your indoor cat might leave through an open door or get outside through an open window. Other measures like tags and collars are better than nothing, but your cat may wriggle out of them or they may be torn off by outdoor hazards. Microchips are extremely small, but they can hold all the same information as an identification tag. Many vets and shelters have scanners that can read these chips and since they lie under their skin, they won’t get lost.