Cats are fascinating animals and can make exceptional pets. Their independence makes them perfect if you are not always at home due to a busy folks. The following article gives you what you need to know to take good care of your pet.
If you are planning to get a pet cat, be sure to check with your local shelter. They have tons of amazing cats who desperately need a home. By choosing a cat from an animal shelter, you can do your part to help with overpopulation. Also, you become a lifesaver!
Wrap it up in an old towel and place it under your cat’s bed or blanket. Change every few hours if desired.
Make sure your cat has a collar and tag if it goes outside. Cats can range far from your home and without a tag they could become lost forever. The tag should contain your name and number where you can be reached.
Think about putting a microchip in your pet. Even an indoor cat could someday jump through an open window. A tagged collar might help get kitty home, but it can just as easily come off if snagged on a branch. A microchip is tiny, similar in size to a single rice grain and capable of holding plenty of information. Almost every vet and shelter has a scanner these days, and they can retrieve your contact information should they find your pet.
Do not allow your cat to stay bored frequently. Cats need play and get regular exercise. Bored cats can develop emotional and other harmful health conditions. Give them plenty of room to exercise and a lot of toys. Indoor cats will appreciate having a structure they can climb on or a dedicated scratching posts.
The litter box for your cat needs to be positioned in the right spot. Don’t put it where the cat can’t reach it or in an area that gets too much traffic. Also be sure the cat litter area is well ventilated to keep the smell to a minimum. Your cat will be more comfortable and you will prefer this in the end.
Reconsider outside time for your cat. This can compromise your cat’s safety. Cats can become infected with fleas, ticks and ringworm. It could be injured via a vehicle or another animal. If your cat has to be outside, make sure it is only in a small area near the house.
When getting a little kitty for your kid, set the boundaries ahead of time. Make sure everyone understands which parts of the house the cat is and is not allowed in. Setting up rules ahead of time can help your children understand.
Think over whether or not you should let your cat outside. This can put your cat’s safety. Your cat may get fleas or even worse than that. Cats can also be hunted by other animals, people and other animals. If they have to go outside, do so in a very small area of your backyard or lawn.
Consider buying your cat a special drinking fountain. Most cats will prefer drinking water that is running over drinking water in a bowl. Streams of water will attract your cat. You could even consider turning on your sink a few times a day to let your cat drink from the faucet. A fountain will allow your cat to drink like he or she is in the wild.
Be careful about allowing children to be alone with a young child. Children under 5 years of age should not be left alone with the pet. They simply lack the maturity to comprehend the harm they can do.As children get older, you will be able to decide when it is the right time for them to handle a cat or kitten without supervision.
Litter Box
Think about the extra work before buying a long-haired cat. While the long hair on a cat is beautiful, it doesn’t look so beautiful all over your home. Realize the extra effort needed to keep a long-haired cat. Hairballs are something that you will often deal with if you own a fluffy cat.
Do not punish your cat if it makes a mess in the area outside its litter box. If your cat makes a mess, it may be because you have not kept the box as clean as you should. Punishing the cat will only make him afraid to be around you or their litter box.
If you raise your kitten with the same food for their entire life, he will probably not like any other brand.
If your cat gets a lot of hairballs, the following tips should be useful. Mix about a teaspoon full of pumpkin into your cats’ food. Add in an extra spoonful of water if the mixture is too thick. Some cat foods have components, such as fiber, that prevent hairballs.
Cats are carnivores and need animal protein in their diet.
Make sure your cat always wearing a collar with proper identification tags. This will be important even to indoor cat. Cats are endlessly curious and may head out an open door in a flash. This is also important if your feline has special medical issues.
Do a safety check to make sure there are no places where your cat could potentially get trapped. Cats are able to squeeze into tiny gaps. This is especially true of kittens. When you bring a new cat or kitten to your home, be conscious of this hazard. You will need to repair or at least cover up any of the bigger holes you find.
When it comes to choosing a pet for your home, you can’t deny that cats are an alluring option. Of course, this only applies if you are prepared to put forth the time and effort to care for the animal. Use the above tips to become a great cat owner. As a result, your cat will live a happier, healthier life.