Cats are fabulous animals. Their unique intelligence and independence combined with their loving nature make them ideal as house pets. Therefore, it is difficult sometimes to take care of your cat. Read the following tips, and you should be able to learn a lot about how you can deal with owning a cat so that it’s happy.
If you have an old cat, you can help make its bed more comfortable by placing heated tiles underneath it. A terra cotta tile about a foot square is ideal. You can warm it with a 15-20 minute stop in your oven, set to approximately 200 degrees. Put the tile inside a towel and place it under the cat’s bedding. If you want, you can change it for a newly warmed tile a few hours later.
Flea Products
Never use any product intended for dogs on a cat. They can have very strong and possibly negative reactions to dog products. Flea products are a prime example. Your cat may die if you use dog flea products on it. Your cat needs to be away from the dog after your dog has received a flea treatment.
A microchip will allow you to find your pet if it is lost. Even an indoor cat may find a way out of your home. Other measures like tags and collars are better than nothing, but your cat may wriggle out of them or they may be torn off by outdoor hazards. A microchip about as big as a grain of rice and holds all the contact information your cat needs. Nearly every vet and shelter owns a scanner which can read a microchip, and since they’re implanted, there isn’t a risk of the chip falling out or getting lost.
Do not allow your cat to be bored frequently. Just like dogs, cats need playtime and physical exercise, too. Sometimes, cat owners don’t realize this. Bored cats are more prone to depression, obsessive compulsive disorders, as well as many other behavioral issues. Give them enough space to exercise in, with fun toys to keep them entertained. A scratching post is a valuable toy to put in your home.
Most cats tend towards nocturnal behavior. This means that they will usually be quite active at night. If your cats keep you up at night, kick them out of the bedroom. This will keep the cats away while you’re trying to sleep because they won’t be jumping all over you.
Why is your cat meowing? Once you become familiar with your cat and its needs, it will become easier to determine what he needs when he meows. Possibilities include that she is hungry or wants to be let outside. Be aware of the cues your cat gives you, and the two of you will have a better relationship.
Reconsider outside time for your cat. This can be very unsafe for your cat. You cat can get fleas and contract diseases. Cars, people, or animals could hurt your beloved pet. If you think your pet needs to go outside, think about enclosing a back patio with metal mesh or some type of heavy screen to keep your cat inside, yet allow them to experience the outdoors.
Cats love to be high up. Elevate your cat so that it can scan the area. Placing a shelf or two up high will not take up too much space in your home. To make it really special, put a bed or blanket up there too.
Frequent urination outside the litter box may indicate a visit to the vet is required. A change in where or how a cat urinates can signal a UTI or other health problem. Affordable antibiotics can solve concerns that may otherwise be quite serious.
One way to get a cat to use the litter box is to move it to a different place in the house. A cat knows that when it’s going to the bathroom it’s in a vulnerable situation, so you should make sure the box is in a calm, secure location. Basement areas and laundry rooms make perfect areas, as they have little traffic.
Put a collar on the cat that lists your name, address, and phone number on it. The cat may get out if it has a chance to, even house cats do this. If your cat were to escape, it’s important for them to get back home safely.
Cats are truly the center of the household. Pay close attention to the tips from this article. Use this information to take proper care of your cat so that it remains healthy for many years.