Cats are delightful! They are very intelligent and will definitely surprise you once you get to know the cat you adopted better. Properly caring for cats, however, is not easy. Read this article to educate yourself on several helpful cat care tips, and apply what you learn to ensure that your cat stays happy and healthy.
Any drape cords should be hidden so the cat cannot grab hold of them. Do not let your cat play with these. If the cords are in loops and the cat jumps into them or plays with them, they could possibly get them caught around their neck. This accident could trap or injure your cat, or even be fatal. Hide the cords for safety sake.
Make sure your cat is regularly visiting the vet for checkups. Cats need to get shots so they don’t get sick and a vet can help you make sure your cat is okay. Try to stick with one vet during the life of your pet. This is because this person will know your cat and the history of the animal.
Never let your cat experience frequent boredom. Cats need play and exercise like other pets. Unfortunately, a lot of cat owners neglect this. Cats who become bored often have issues that can affect them in a big way. Some of these issues are obesity due to eating out of boredom, OCD issues, fighting with other pets and depression. Make sure your cats have a wide variety of toys and plenty of room for active play. You need to provide your cats with something they can climb and scratch.
Cats can be great pets for children, but some younger children may be a bit too rough with cats. Make sure your child knows how to pet a cat. Show them what activities are appropriate and how to pick them up. Cats should be handled more gently since their bones are more fragile than those of dogs.
Create a tablecloth that your cats can use. A lot of time cats will take their food from their bowls to eat it on the food bowl’s side. If this happens, you’ll have to clear away any excess food that’s left outside. Use a placemat under your cat’s bowl or cut some fabric to create a small tablecloth. Shake the placemat or cloth over the garbage regularly.
When getting a little kitty for your kid, set boundaries beforehand. Let your children know which areas of the house are off-limits for the cat. If you’re planning to have an indoor cat, explain to your children that the cat is not allowed to be outside. By making the rules well known to your children, your children will understand what is and is not allowed.
Do all you can to figure out what’s causing your cat to meow. Over time, you will pick up on the reasons why your cat is making this gesture. They may want outside or may be hungry. Getting to know your cats cues will help you to interpret her meows.
Make sure you are cautious about leaving a young child alone with a small kitten. Children under 5 years of age should not be alone with the pet. Little children do not have the necessary skills yet to handle a pet by themselves. Wait until your child gets older, and pay close attention to whether or not they’re mature enough to hold or handle a tiny pet.
Brush your cat on a regular basis. This will help spread the natural oils within their fur while stimulating their skin’s blood flow. It can also reduce the amount of loose hair they have. This will help you to avoid hairballs, which may cause your cat to choke. Hairballs are caused when a cat grooms itself.
Never punish the cat if he or she causes a mess outside the litter box. Many times this occurs because the box wasn’t well maintained. If the cat is punished for this, they may become afraid of being around you.
Expect it to take several weeks for your current cat to accept a new cat in the home. In the early days, you may see a lot of posturing from the cats including hissing and swatting at each other. After the initial period though, they should start to settle and begin to get along like old friends.
It can be vastly rewarding to own a cat as long as you realize the commitment involved and are willing to put in the time and energy required. Keep the information here in mind. Use these tips to ensure your cat is healthy and happy.