Cats – What You Need To Know

Without a healthy diet, cats can get sick. This article will give you with great diet advice on how to properly feed and care for your cat.

You should be bringing your cat to their vet for a check-up regularly. Cats need yearly shots and overall health assessments. When you find a vet you like, stick with them. This person will be more knowledgeable on your cat’s history.

TIP! Small places are spots cats love to get into. A collar can become a liability if your cat is especially adventurous.

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 make sure that the area is ventilated so the smell doesn’t linger. Your cat is certain to appreciate it and so will you.

Cats are great family pets, though small kids may be too rough. Make sure your children the proper way to handle a cat. Teach them which activities and how to properly pick up the cat. Cats have more fragile bones than dogs so should be treated carefully.

If your cat is getting older, you can increase it’s comfort by placing its bed over a heated tile. You can do this simply with a terra cotta tile measuring a square foot. Heated in your oven around 200 degrees, it can be ready in as little as 15 minutes. Use an old towel to wrap it up safely before placing it beneath your cat’s favorite napping spot. Change every few hours if you like.

TIP! Take your cat to the vet every year. They should go at least once yearly for a check-up, and more often if they need any shots.

Try figuring out why kitty is meowing. After some time, you’ll start to recognize what some of the noises your cats makes mean. When you understand what each type of behavior indicates, then may grow to understand the cat all the more.

Be careful if you leave a kitten with your children. Children under five years old should always be supervised when interacting with a kitten. They simply lack the maturity to comprehend the harm they can do. When children are over the age of five, they can spend alone time with the kitty.

Don’t use dog portions for your cat. Cats will react very negatively to any products intended for dogs. This happens a lot with flea products. Flea products that are intended for a dog can kill a cat. Keep them separated by at least one door for a few hours after treatment.

TIP! Don’t let your cat get frequently bored. Cats need stimulation.

Never punish a cat for missing 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 your cat will only make them afraid to be around you in the future.

Don’t toss your cat’s scratching post just because it looks worn. This is the time when your cats most appreciate. If you throw it away too soon, they may shun the new one and go after your carpet and furniture.

Cats are great family pets, but small children might be too rough. Make sure your kids understand how cats should be handled. Demonstrate how to pick up the animal and how to play with it as well. A cat’s bones are not as strong as a dogs, and they should be treated more gently.

TIP! Just because your family did it when you were a child, does not mean allowing your cat to go outside is a wise decision. This isn’t safe for your cat.

Consider buying your cat a fountain to drink from. Cats prefer to drink from a water that is streaming. Cats will often drink from a running sink and actually prefer it over the tap if they can! A fountain provides a more natural and environmentally friendly way for your cat to drink like he or she is in the wild.

If you are thinking about adding another cat to your home, then you should ensure you allow a few weeks for your old cat and new one to become familiar with each other. They may swat at each other at first and fight.

Do you have both a cat and dog? Dogs love to eat cat food! Therefore, your cat’s food bowl should be placed in a high location that is out of your dog’s reach. This will help you to be sure that the animals won’t fight over the water either after they’ve eaten all their food.

Haired Cats

Think about extra work before you take home a long-haired cat. While long haired cats are soft and look great, it doesn’t look so beautiful all over your home. Don’t get such a cat with long fur unless you’re sure you are prepared for the extra commitment they take over regular cats. Long-haired cats also more prone to hairballs.

When your cat makes a mess somewhere other than their litter box, don’t get mad. If your cat makes a mess, it’s probably because their litter box is not properly cared for. If your punish your car, he or she is just going to become scared of you.

TIP! If you plan to add a second cat to your household, be sure to allow two to three weeks for your resident cat and the new cat to get used to each other. They may still hiss and growl when they are in the same room together.

Dogs usually wag tails as a sign of friendly greeting or encouragement. Cats wag their tails for a different reasons than dogs though. A cat wags its tail is either feeling threatened or predatory and is considering his next move.If your cat wags his tail while you’re holding him, they should be put down so that you don’t get scratched or hit.

Don’t let your declawed cat outdoors. 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. Even so, only their front claws should be removed. The back claws should remain as they will not scratch your furniture or floors.

If you want a cat with long hair, be prepared to put in extra time and care. Even though that nice coat of beautiful silky fur looks great, it can leave a mess on your floors, furniture and clothing. If you can handle the extra grooming and cleaning time, then a long haired cat might be a good choice for you. It should also be noted that long haired cats are much more susceptible to hairballs.

TIP! Keeping your cat up to date on vaccinations and annual check ups can keep your cat in good health and provide a longer life. Just like with having kids, young cats need to be checked on to see if they’re doing okay from time to time.

Don’t ever give a cat medicine created for humans. If your cat needs medication, such as a veterinarian. Giving the cat your medication can actually cause your pet serious harm.

Cats are able to smell and will notice the smallest things. Don’t be discouraged if your cat decides to ignore these items when you first bring them home.

One of the most delightful things about a dog is the way they happily greet their owners. Cats wag their tails for very different reasons than dogs though. When a cat wags its tail, it is usually due to conflict and a potential decision of fight or flee. 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!

TIP! If you have chemicals that contain phenol, make sure that you do not use these around your cat. A lot of household cleaners have this in them, so you should read the labels before using them around your cat.

Be aware that your cat’s diet is crucial for its health and well-being. Eating too much of the wrong foods, or too little of the right foods can put your cat in terrible shape, and even cut their life span. Treating your cat to everything it wants and needs is the only responsible thing to do as a pet owner.