There are few pets as rewarding to own as a cat. A cat will bring joy to your household and also help you get rid of rodents and other pests. Read on to find out how to care for your kitty.
When your female cat is old enough, you should have her spayed. While your cat may be an indoor one, there is always the possibility it can get out and you wind up with kittens one day. Having your cat spayed is the only way to 100 percent prevent accidental litters.
Put bitter apple on all electrical cords. If they like to chew on cords, try covering them as much as you can. Hide those loose cords and keep them out of sight in no longer needed paper towel rolls. Any electronic item not in use should be stored away where the cat can’t get to it.
You can also consider outfitting your cat with a chip so you can monitor its whereabouts. Indoor cats can slip out an open door. Cats can get out of a collar or, worse, have that collar choke them to death. A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and can hold all of your contact information. Most vets and animal shelters will have a microchip scanner and because it’s under the animal’s skin it can never become lost.
Many times, cat meds can be purchased on the internet for less than they’d cost if you got them from your vet. Though, in emergency situations, buying online may not be possible. If you regularly need to buy pet medication, you can get a savings of up to 50 percent online.
Cover the area around your cat’s bowl with a cloth. It’s a common practice for cats to eat their food on the side of their bowl. That can mean a bigger mess for you to clean. To simplify your clean up duties, place a ready made placemat under the dish or purchase some inexpensive fabric and use it like a tablecloth.
There is no need to spend hours trying to litter train your cat. This is something that comes naturally and is not learned. Don’t try to force them into the litter box by rubbing their paws or face in it.
When your cat makes a mess somewhere other than their litter box, don’t get mad. Check out the box instead and see if it has been neglected; this is often a cause of accidents. Punishing your cat will make it afraid of being close to you.
Get your cat accustomed to a carrier. Cats never respond to punishment the way that dogs do. Instead, cats are more likely to respond to words of encouragement. Inside the carrier, put a favorite toy and blanket. Leave it open in an area the cat will see. Over time the cat will not be stressed about the carrier and will enter it voluntarily. A cat who is used to a carrier will not mind traveling, meaning it will be a much less stressful experience for them.
Let your cat take its time when you add a new cat to your home. They will probably hide from each other, hiss or even attack each other. However, if you allow them to slowly get used to each other, they will eventually become friends.
Cats are a great way to get rid of rodents, and they also make excellent pets. Cats are very good at hunting. With all of these useful attributes, it’s no surprise that cats are so popular.