Cats make great animal friends, but they’re not exactly maintenance-free. Between vet bills, cat food and litter and cat toys, you may need to reconsider if you can afford a cat. The following article has some great advice to help you care for your cat.
Cats often view small spaces as a fun challenge. If you keep a collar on your pet, getting stuck in one of these spaces can be very dangerous. A breakaway collar let’s go if pulled on tightly. This could help save your cat if it gets caught in a tight spot.
A heated tile for underneath your cat’s bed can provide real comfort. Simply heat a single foot cotta tile at 200 degrees between 15 and 20 minutes. Use an old towel to wrap around it, then place it beneath the cat’s blanket or bed. When the tile cools down, change it out for a fresh, warm one.
Making sure your cat doesn’t jump on the counters is hard to do. They love to be able to look around from up high. You can remedy this by creating some place up high that you can can enjoy hanging out in. Putting a cat tower in or near the kitchen can help keep the cats from laying on the counter.
When it comes to litter boxes, placement is everything. Never put the box near your cat’s food, and pick a quiet place away from areas that are heavily used. To prevent a strong stench, be sure this space is well-ventilated. Not only will your cat appreciate it but you will too.
Receiving plenty of positive, loving attention is important for your cat. Think of all the friendship and comfort cats provide to us. Your cat needs to socialize and get plenty of attention from everyone in your family. Cats want to feel loved and needed.
You can often find better deals for cat medicine online rather than buying them from the veterinarian. In an emergency, however, this might not be possible. Most of the time, you will get great discounts if you purchase on the web.
You should try your hardest to figure out the reason that you are hearing your cat meow. After living with your cat for long, it’s easier to interpret its meows. She may be hungry, or she may want you to let her outside. You should pay attention to these cues and you will eventually learn to decipher them.
You should think before allowing your cat to go outside. Being outside all the time is not safe for a cat. Your cat may get fleas or have other problems. Cars, people, or animals could hurt your beloved pet. If you’ve just got to have the cat outdoors, limit it to an enclosed area.
High areas are ideal for cats. Your cat will be truly happy if you provide a place for him to view his surroundings. You can use a cleared shelf if you’d rather not have a cat tree. Make it extra comfortable by adding a blanket or cushion.
Brush your cat daily. This will reduce the amount of bacteria on the fur. It will also remove loose hair. This helps prevent hairballs, which can lead to choking and other health issues.
Drinking Fountain
Provide your cat with a drinking fountain. When cats are out in the wild they like to drink running water, and this is true in your home as well. The drinking fountain will look more inviting than a water bowl. In fact, there are cats that enjoy drinking from a running sink instead of a bowl. A drinking fountain designed for your cat is the ideal solution to keep the cat happy.
It is important for a cat to have play time. As a matter of fact, exercise is crucial for all animals. Though older cats don’t have as much energy, they still need some play. Have as much fun time with your cat as possible.
Make sure you put your catbox in the optimal location. Although you may want to have the litter box hidden in a place where you won’t smell it, your cat’s needs should be before your wants. Make sure your cat can easily reach the litter box at all times. Cats are finicky, so you must provide an environment that is not inconvenient or off-putting to the animal. A litter box located in the basement should be placed on a thick mat or rug.
Make sure you provide adequate space to a cat that is about to give birth. Giving birth to all the kittens can take hours, so you shouldn’t expect things to be over and done with quickly. 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.
When a dog wags it’s tail, it’s telling you that it is excited or happy. A cat wagging its tail can have a very different meaning. Tail wagging in a cat usually indicates a mental conflict that your cat is mulling over, such as deciding whether to flee or attack. If you notice you cat begin to wag his tail when you are holding him, put him down to be sure you are not scratched or swatted.
Put a collar around your cats neck that contains your name, address, and number. Cats who stay indoors could still get out. Fitting your cat with a tag and collar greatly increases the chance that your cat will make it home safely.
You should never let your cat use meds that were designed for people. Go to a vet if there are problems, don’t self diagnose. Giving your pet medication that was meant for you can hurt them pretty seriously and it may even cause death.
Any pet can be a constant price tag, and cats are certainly no different. Cats require so much attention and care you would swear they are as needy as human children are. You should apply the tips you just read, and do your best to be a responsible cat owner.