Cats are both incredible and incredibly finicky. From food preferences to vet examinations, there are many issues to overcome if you own one. This article will show you some great tips and advice about cats and what they need.
You never want to leave the cords of your drapes dangling down. If your cat plays with looped drape cords, they could get caught around its neck, which presents a suffocation hazard. This could even choke them to death. Pin and hide drape cords to avoid this.
Older cats will appreciate a heated bed; you can use a heated tile to create one! You can do this simply with a terra cotta tile measuring a square foot. Heated in your oven around 200 degrees, it can be ready in as little as 15 minutes. Wrap the tile in a towel and then put it under the bed. This should be changed a few times a day to maximize comfort.
Do not allow your cat to stay bored all of the time. Your cat needs plenty of exercise. Too many cat owners forget this simple fact. Bored cats are more prone to depression, obsessive compulsive disorders, as well as many other behavioral issues. Provide them with space to exercise and lots of toys to play with. If your cats are kept inside, set up a carpet lined scratching pad or post. There are many climbing structures that can be purchased or made for cats who enjoy heights.
Litter Box
Pick a good spot for the cat’s litter box. The litter box should not be kept in an area with a lot of traffic. In addition, it does not need to be near the cat’s food. Additionally, don’t make the mistake of putting it in a poorly-ventilated area, or the smell will become overpowering. This will keep both you and your cat happy.
A cat generally spends quite a bit of time grooming itself. When your cat has long hair, this can cause hairballs. There is a special food on the market that does help out with hairball issues. Some foods are enriched in fibers and vitamins to facilitate the digestion of the hairballs.
Feeding your male cat the proper food can help prevent crystals from forming in his urine. Passing these crystals is painful and the vet bill to have this corrected is expensive. Look for foods that are low in magnesium for your cat. This means you should pay attention to labels on food. Fish products can have more magnesium when compared to poultry.
Set a tablecloth under your cat’s food bowl. Often, a cat will remove food from his bowl to eat on the side. This can result in a mess that needs to be cleaned up. An easier way to do that is to either buy a placemat and put it underneath the cat bowl, or to cut a bit of fabric to use as a tablecloth that you can pick up and wash or shake over the garbage can.
Be sure to carrier train your cat. Dogs and cats will respond differently to punishment. They respond better to encouragement. Put their favorite toy and blanket in a carrier. Leave it somewhere they always go to. The cat will feel safe when it enters this carrier after a while. As the cat becomes used to being in the carrier, it will become easier to transport them in it.
Make sure your cat is always wearing a collar with proper identification tags. This is essential, even for indoor cats. Cats are curious creatures and an open door or window is likely to be explored. They should wear a tag with your vet’s info as well as your telephone number. Veterinary information is essential if your cat needs medication.
Your cat needs good play time. Actually playtime is very common for all animals, especially cats and people despite their age. While older cats aren’t near as energetic, they still enjoy playing often. Play with your cat, and you’ll both have fun.
Keep your cat’s vaccinations and checkups up to date with the vet. Kittens, like children, need to have their vaccinations and wellness appointments regularly to prevent diseases and other health issues from becoming a problem later in life. Your cat will be a part of your home and that means it should be treated as good as you would treat a family member.
Keep products containing phenol away from your cat. A lot of household cleaners have this in them, so you should read the labels before using them around your cat. Cats hate the smell, and it can do sever damage to a cat’s liver if left near it for prolonged periods.
You should always try to keep your cat in your home as much as you can. Studies have shown that cats that live outdoors tend to have shorter lives than cats that stay indoors. Outdoor cats face numerous predators and are at a higher risk of disease.
Never give your pet any drugs that were designed for use by humans. Go to a vet if there are problems, don’t self diagnose. Giving pets medicine that is intended for humans can harm them, and possibly cause death.
Just like humans, being overweight can harm a cat’s health, so do not feed him too much. Overfeeding your cat may cause it to become obese and develop serious medical issues. Make sure your cat’s diet is well-balanced.
Looking after a cat is a lot of work, but you will also find that owning a cat is a very rewarding experience. Use these tips to become a better cat owner and to really enjoy it. Your research is going to pay off in the long run.
