Cats are beautiful creatures, but caring for them can be costly. Vet expenses, toys, cat litter and food add up. The following article will teach you what you need to know about caring for making the process of cat care cost a cat.
Regular visits to the vet will preserve your cat’s health. They need a routine check-up every year, maybe more of important shots are necessary. Make vet appointments immediately if your cat has a medical condition or has become injured.
Check your local animal shelter when adopting a cat. Shelters have plenty of great cats available and their adoption fee will generally cover necessary vet care. Adopting from a pet shelter benefits the cat this way helps to save their life and cut down on unwanted animal births.
Cats enjoy finding small spaces. A breakaway collar is a good option since it will break if the cat pulls tightly on it. This will help to save a couple of your cat’s life.
Prevent your cat from chewing on electrical cords by spraying bitter apple on them. If your cat still prefers to chew on cords, then you have to make sure they stay covered. The tube from a used-up roll of paper towels makes an excellent shield for loose cords. If you have electrical cords laying out that are not being used, put them away as cats can play with them and then move on to live electrical cords.
Deter your cat from chewing on electrical wires by using bitter apple. If your cat happens to be a champion cord-chewer, make sure you cover the cords. You can bundle loose cords together and place them inside paper towel rolls that are old.
It can be tough to keep a cat off the kitchen counters. Cats instinctively want to be at a high places so that they can see. You can try to combat this problem by designating some high-up places for your cat a high place to chill.
Give your cat plenty of love and affection. They are very loving animals and deserve affection back. Cats, just like people, want to feel like a loved part of a family. Socialization is important to them. They wish to be a happy and valuable family member.
Think about having a microchip inserted in your feline friend. Even an indoor cats get the urge to run out of a door or leap through a window. Collars and tags can help get your cat home, however cats are experts at wiggling out of these, and they are also at risk of getting hung up on something. Microchips are as small as a rice grain and have all of your contact information.
Be very careful when leaving your cat with a kitten. Children under 5 years old should not be alone with a pet. They don’t know what harm they can pose for the kitten. Once the child grows up a little, decide if they are ready for the responsibility of handling animals.
Look online for cat medicine. When an emergency strikes, however, you may not have the option of buying medications on the Internet. If you regularly need to buy pet medication, you can get a savings of up to 50 percent online.
Do not discipline your cat if it makes a mess outside of the 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 of you in the future.
Cats are carnivores and need animal protein in their diet.
Cats and small children may not always mix. Teach your kids the right way to hold a cat. Show them what activities are appropriate and how to pick them up. Cats don’t have strong bones like dogs do, so they need to be treated gently.
Consider getting your cat a special drinking fountain. Cats generally respond better to a moving water stream. Cats will even drink from a running sink and actually prefer it over the water in their bowl. A fountain will allow your cat to drink naturally and is better for the happiness of drinking from running water.
Frequent or misdirected urination outside the litter box may warrant a visit to the vet is required. Cats sometimes exhibit this if they have a urinary tract infection or other health concern. A course of antibiotics can head off dangerous complications if you get your cat diagnosed and treated early enough.
Speak with other cat owners about any issues you may be having. You won’t have the knowledge to handle every cat issue properly, so take advantage of the experiences of others. There are many online forums that discuss cats. Most vets will also be happy to help you with some advice.
Cats, like all pets, can be expensive. Cats require a lot of care, almost like an actual human child. The tips provided will help you properly take care your cat without breaking the bank.