A cat can make a great pet for anyone to own.Those that haven’t owned cats before should read the following tips. Continue reading for some excellent advice on how to raise a happy cat.
If you plan on getting a cat for a pet, try looking into a local shelter. Shelters have tons of great cats and their adoption fee will generally cover necessary vet care. Adopting your cat at a shelter allows you to save a cat’s life while also helping mitigate overpopulation.
Make sure your cat is well groomed. Cats should have regular basis. Doing this frequently can help you keep their coats clean. It will also limit shedding and hairballs.
You should be bringing your pet to the vet on a check-up regularly. Cats require special shots to prevent illness and overall health assessments. Try using the same veterinarian throughout your cat’s life. This also allows the vet to become more familiar with your cat’s history.
Make sure you purchase medicines and treatments specifically for cats. Cats will have a reaction that’s negative towards a product made for dogs. Flea products are a great example of this. Your cat can die if you use a dog flea product on it. After your dog receives a flea treatment, keep your cat away for at least a few hours.
You may not think it’s necessary if you have an indoor cat, but she could still slip outside and become pregnant. Spaying your cat is the best way to prevent this.
Don’t give a cat that are meant for a dog’s product. Cats can have strong negative reactions when exposed to products designed for a dog. This is particularly applies to flea treatments. Your cat can die if you use dog flea product on it.
Try to avoid your cat from becoming bored each day. Cats need stimulation. Sadly, this can be easily overlooked. A bored cat may fall victim to depression, compulsive disorders or issued that can be harmful to their health. Give them plenty of room to exercise and a wide selections of toys. If you have an indoor cat, offer him a variety of toys, scratching post or objects he can climb on.
Make sure your cat has a collar and tag if it goes outside.Cats can range far from home and without a tag they could become lost forever. The tag should contain your phone number where you can be reached.
Your cat’s claws can devastate your furniture. It might take time, but it can usually eliminate the problem.
Cats and small children may not always mix. Make sure your kids understand how cats should be handled. Children need to know how to hold a cat and what sorts of play a cat likes. Keep in mind that a cat’s bones are much more fragile than a dog’s.
It can be tricky to keep a cat off the counter. Cats instinctively want to be at a high vantage point so they can easily see everyone and everything. You may be able to battle this issue by designating some high-up places for your cat a high place to chill.
The litter box for your cat needs to be positioned in a good location. Don’t put it where the cat can’t reach it or in an area that gets too much traffic.Also be sure that the area is ventilated so the smell to a minimum. Your cat will appreciate it and so will too.
If you are experiencing an issue with your feline friend, seek advice from others. Although you may feel like you don’t need help, other owners may be able to give you good advice. You can also go on the Web and ask your question in a forum.
Avoid the chance that your male cat will develop crystals and stones by feeding a high quality diet. Passing stones or crystals is painful and the vet bills if they don’t come out naturally. Choose a cat food low magnesium food. Be sure to read the label. Products that contain fish are normally much higher magnesium over ones containing poultry.
When you get a kitten for kids, set rules and boundaries beforehand. Make sure your children know where the cat can be. Setting the rules in advances ensures understanding.
Don’t toss an older scratching post just because it looks worn. This is the condition that cats most appreciate. If you throw it away too soon, that cat may look to your furniture for some clawing while it slowly breaks in a new scratching post.
Be cautious when leaving your cat with children. Children under 5 years of age should always be supervised when interacting with the pet. They are just not mature enough to understand the danger they can do. As a kid ages, you can decide when to teach them about handling a pet.
Litter Box
Make sure you put your catbox in the optimal location. It is tempting to place it out of sight, in order to avoid the image of it or smells that go along with dirty litter. This litter box must stay in an easy-to-find spot for your cat. Cats can be finicky; that’s why you should give them space for their litter box that is familiar and does not put them off. A litter box located in the basement should be placed on a thick mat or rug.
Don’t stress yourself out about instructing your kitty how the litter box is supposed to be used. This will be something that comes naturally and it usually is not learned fro another. Don’t try to force them into the litter box or face in it.
Think about extra work before you take home a cat with long hair. While long haired cats are soft and look great, it doesn’t look so beautiful all over your home. Don’t adopt a cat with long fur unless you can handle the extra commitment they take over regular cats. Long-haired cats also more prone to hairballs.
If you have chemicals that contain phenol, make sure that you do not use these around your cat. This chemical is often in Lysol and certain other regular household cleaners. Your little friends find this smell completely offensive. Even worse it can cause liver damage over time.
Getting a feline friend is a great decision. They are great at relieving stress and are very comforting. But, you must understand proper cat care in order to have a happy animal. Be sure to use the advice above so that you and your cat can coexist for years and years.