A cat that is friendly and well-behaved can be great for any home. These tips can help you live comfortably with your cat.
Make sure that your cat is well groomed. They need to be brushed every day. If this is done frequently, your cat’s coat will be much cleaner. This will also cut down on shedding and can reduce issues with hairballs. In order to keep shed hair down to a minimum, plus have a beautiful cat, you must groom your cat regularly.
Make sure that your cat is always groomed. Cats have regular basis. Doing this frequently can help them keep their coats clean. It will also stops hairballs.
You must always bring your cat to a vet to make sure everything is okay. Cats require special shots and the vet can check their overall health assessments. Try to stay with the same veterinarian throughout your cat’s life. This will ensure they know the history of your pet’s medical history.
If your cat is getting older, you can increase it’s comfort by placing its bed over a heated tile. A terra cotta tile about a foot square is ideal. You can warm it with a 15-20 minute stop in your oven, set to approximately 200 degrees. Put it inside a cloth and place underneath your feline’s blanket or bed. Switch towels every few hours if you need to.
Don’t use dog food or products for your cats ever. Cats are known to have strong negative reactions to a product that is formulated for a dog. This particularly applies to flea treatments. Flea products that are intended for a dog can be fatal to a cat.
Make sure your cat has a collar and tag if it goes outside. Cats can range far from home and the tag they could become lost forever. The tag should contain your name and the number where you can be reached.
Microchips are an increasingly popular form of pet protection. Indoor cats can slip out an open door. Even if you put a collar or tag on your cat, be careful as they can wiggle out of these very easily and can be dangerous if they get caught on a foreign object like a tree branch. A microchip will hold the contact information to reach you and it’s only about as big as a piece of rice. Almost every vet and shelter has a scanner these days, and they can retrieve your contact information should they find your pet.
Litter Box
Don’t try and teach your kitty how to go in the litter box is supposed to be used. This is a natural to them and does not need to be taught. Don’t force your cat into the litter box or face in it.
Be cautious when leaving a kitten with children. Children under five years old should always be supervised when interacting with a pet. They simply lack the maturity to comprehend the harm they can potentially do to kittens. When your children age, you will realize when they’re able to deal with a pet.
Take time to make your cat familiar and comfortable with a carrier. Cats do not respond in the same way that dogs do. Encouragement is usually a better way to get your cats to perform.Put a nice blanket and toy in the carrier and leave it open somewhere the cat is most often. The cat will eventually get into it and feel safe when it enters this carrier after a while.This will make it easier later.
Canned food is usually the best option for cats.Dry food is cheaper, but canned food boasts a number of benefits. It’s also much softer on older cats to chew it as well. Speak with your vet, however generally speaking, canned food is better for your cat.
You should never punish your cat for not using the litter box. Often, this happens when the litter box is dirty. Your cat will become afraid of you if you punish it or scold it too often.
Take your cat for checkups and vaccinations often to make sure he or she is healthy.Your cat needs these periodic checks and parasites.
Litter Box
Think about where you want to put the litter box. It is temping to put it someplace where the odor will not be noticed. It is equally important that the litter box is readily accessible to your cat, though. Cats can be picky, so you should be sure that you put its litter box in a spot that isn’t difficult to access or unpleasant in some other way. If your litter box location is on a cold floor, you may want to put a rug underneath of the box.
Pay attention if your cat does not use their litter box. There are a number of health conditions that can lead a well-trained cat to use the restroom in places other than their litter box. A urinary infection or a kidney disease can cause your cat’s behavior. Speak with a veterinarian if your pet stops using the litter box.
Even a house cat can get out. If your cat were to escape, make sure they can return home.
If your cat will not use the litter box, try placing it at a different spot in your home. A cat’s instinct tells him that eliminating puts him in a vulnerable state, so try putting his litter box in a safe, quiet area of the house. Some great examples of such locations are basements, laundry rooms or any other less frequently used room in your home.
Don’t give a cat medicine that is meant for humans. If your cat is ill, such as a veterinarian. Giving the cat medication that wasn’t meant for them can really hurt them or even be fatal.
Dry food is best for your cat. Kittens need some wet food due to having small teeth. As they get older and get adult teeth, the hard food helps their keep teeth strong.
Cats have a heightened sense of smell, and they can detect environmental changes easily. This can lead to issues when you introduce something new, such as a new toy, bed, or food dish. Don’t fret if you can’t get kitty to use a new item right away. Your cat will begin using it as soon as he is used to its smell.
If you worry about your cat getting rabies, rabies or animal bites, do not allow him to go outside. While issues can affect your cat while inside as well, they are more prevalent with cats who frequently go outdoors.
Think about keeping your cat just be indoors. Outdoor cats are known to have shorter life expectancy and can catch many diseases. Some of these diseases can even be passed along to humans. Let your cat have a place where it can look out a window so that they can get the feeling of the outdoors from an indoor location.
You can deter cat scratching with something as simple as tape. If they scratch the upholstery up, place some tape on it to keep them from doing it. You can even get this kind of a tape from a pet store. Using this tape, along with a scratching post is a great way to keep your cat from scratching up your furniture.
It isn’t always easy being a cat owner, but it’s definitely rewarding. Whether you have a cat that’s hyper or one that sleeps too much, you can use the tips above to help you take better care of your cat. Soon, you’ll be hearing less meows and more purrs.