It is very enjoyable owning a cat. Make no mistake, though: Being a responsible cat owner involves putting in quite a bit of effort. You must be aware of the responsibilities of being a cat owner. Thankfully, this piece will explain some of these responsibilities. Keep reading and discover valuable tips that will improve your pet ownership experience.
If you have drape cords in your home, keep them away from your cats. Never let your cats play with drape cords, as they could seriously injure themselves. This may seriously injure or kill your cat. Secure your cords so they are out of the way and out of sight.
You should always bring your cat to a vet to make sure everything is okay. In addition to checking the health of your cat, a vet can give him any needed shots. Try to keep the same vet during the life of your pet. That way, the doctor will be familiar with the history of your cat.
Heated tiles are great to put under a cat bed, especially for the comfort of aging felines. Use a 12″ terra cotta tile and heat it by putting it in a 200ºF oven for 20 minutes. Keep this underneath your cat’s resting space for extra warmth. You can even switch it out every few hours.
Your cat’s claws can wreck havoc on your furniture. Think about a scratching post or kitty tower if your cat’s claws become a problem. Teach your cat to scratch this instead of the legs of a couch or sofa. It might not happen overnight, but the problem should eventually stop.
It’s important that you don’t forget your cat and allow them to become bored too easily. Cats require physical activity. Sadly, this is overlooked by many cat owners. Bored cats tend to develop emotional and mental disorders that may negatively impact their health. Give them exercise space and a lot of toys. An indoor cat needs a good scratching post.
Cats are partially nocturnal. The result is that cats prefer to be more active during the night. Shut the door to your bedroom. This helps to muffle the sounds of nighttime play. This will keep the cats away while you’re trying to sleep because they won’t be jumping all over you.
Cats love to be clean. When your cat has long hair, this can cause hairballs. To help prevent this from occurring, buy your cat special food. Look for cat food that is designed to minimize hairballs to keep you and your cat happier.
Anytime you travel with a cat, their ears should be monitored. You may prefer loud music as you drive down the freeway, blasting your stereo, but your feline friend likes softer sounds better. Therefore, keep your music or other sounds at an acceptable level.
Speak to other people if you’re having cat troubles. Other cat owners may have had experience with what you’re going through right now. You can also go on the Web and ask your question in a forum.
Feed your cat several different kinds of food if you want to the lower the chances of them becoming finicky. This will ensure that your cat gets a taste of many different foods.
Keep old, worn scratching posts. You may believe that it’s in terrible condition, but cats typically prefer it this way. If you toss it away in favor of something newer, your cat may look for something older to scratch, and that may end up being your furniture.
You should give your cat at least three weeks to grow used to the presence of a new animal. In the beginning, they may not seem to get along at all. However, if you allow them to slowly get used to each other, they will eventually become friends.
Panting is a bad symptom. Dogs pant and that is the norm. Sometimes when cats are upset or too hot they pant, but there are other reasons they can pant too. Do not hesitate to contact a vet, particularly if there has been a history of respiratory problems.
Health Problems
Make sure your cat does not get more food than it needs to prevent health problems. Eating over the normal amount can cause them to develop serious health problems or become obese. Feed your cat only as much as the packaging suggests.
Placing sticky tape on your furnishings can be a helpful trick. This can deter your cat from scratching the upholstery. You can find this specific material at your local pet store. By keeping your furniture covered with tape and getting a scratching post put up, you will get your cat to scratch that instead.
Never let your cat venture outside if something like rabies, fleas or fungus makes you nervous. While some of these issues can affect a cat that stays in the house, they are more likely to experience this issues if they spend a lot of time outside.
Think about your cat and how it should be strictly one that remains inside. Cats that live outdoors live shorter lives, and can catch diseases more easily. Your family could get these too. Let your kitty have a sunny location indoors, such as a sunroom or window to fulfill their outdoor desires.
As mentioned earlier, you benefit from having a cat. If you want them to live a happier and longer life, however, you must care for them properly. Ensure you utilize the excellent tips in this article in order to raise a healthy cat.
