Cats are great pets when you know what it takes to care for them properly. One of your responsibilities as someone who owns a cat is to learn cat care basics so that your cat is happy and lives a long life. The following article is chock full of handy cat care advice.
If you have an old cat, you can help make its bed more comfortable by placing heated tiles underneath it. Place a tile made of terra cotta or a similar material in an oven heated to 200 degrees for around 15 to 20 minutes. You should wrap it with a towel and place it under the bed your cat uses. This should be changed a few times a day to maximize comfort.
Ensure that your cat goes to the vet often so that they are healthy. A yearly visit for a regular check-up is important, with more frequent visits for shots as required. When the cat seems to be acting abnormally, take it to the vet immediately.
Cats are generally nocturnal. This means their behavior is quite active during the night. One way to deal with a kitten’s playful activity at night is just to shut your door. This can keep them from waking you up at night and from pouncing on feet under the blankets.
Don’t leave a kitten with small kids. Never leave a pet alone with a child who is any younger than five. They don’t know what harm they can do. As children get older, decide when they show the maturity to handle a small pet.
Make sure your cat is always wearing a collar with proper identification tags. Even indoor cats should have identification on them. The lure of an open door or window is very attractive to your curious cat. Include your contact number along with the name of your veterinarian. Include medical issues if appropriate.
Is your cat peeing all the time, sometimes in places that it shouldn’t? If so, you should talk to your veterinarian. A change in where or how a cat urinates can signal a UTI or other health problem. Inexpensive antibiotics generally clear this right up.
Is there cat hair everywhere? Since cats shed so much, they need to be frequently brushed. The more your cat sheds, the more often you want to give them a good brushing. This will help to prevent tangling and matting.
If your feline friend is having kittens, make sure to give her lots of room to birth in. It can take as much as about 4 hours for all the kittens to be born after labor starts. If you suspect that there are more kittens inside your cat and it has been six hours of labor or more, you should take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.
Your food isn’t necessarily good for your cat. Some of these include onions, grapes, garlic and green tomatoes. Allowing your cat to eat even a few bites may cause serious illness or even death. In addition, milk can also upset your cat’s stomach.
Your cat will thank you if you avoid phenol in your cleaning products. This chemical is present in many household cleaners, such as Pine-Sol and Lysol. The smell is something that cats don’t like, and it also can lead to liver damage if it is used around your cats for a long period of time.
Indoor Cats
Always keep your declawed cat indoors. Without claws, your cat is essentially defenseless against other animals. This is a dangerous situation for the cat. Indoor cats are the only ones that should be de-clawed. With indoor cats, just remove the front claws. Keep the back claws intact, since they can’t do damage to your furnishings and flooring.
Panting is a bad symptom. Dogs pant and that is the norm. If a cat is panting, it might indicate simple anxiety or overheating. On the other hand, it may a symptom of a more serious health problem. It is important to speak to your vet, specifically if your feline has suffered from respiratory issues.
Cats are great pets, but they need proper care. Cat owners should read this article and use all of its great tips. With the proper care, your cat can enjoy a great life.