One of the most unique animals is a cat. They are very intelligent and will definitely surprise you once you get to know the cat you adopted better. It takes work to be a good cat owner. 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.
Cats love to squeeze into tiny spaces. A collar can be a dangerous thing to wear in such a place. The advantage to a breakaway type collar is that if enough pressure is put on it, it will just let go rather than strangle the cat. This will allow your cat to live another day if it gets tangled up.
Take your cat to the vet every year. They should go in for a routine check-up at least once a year, possibly more if they need important shots. If a condition, illness, or injury happens, your cat should be taken to the vet immediately.
The litter box for your cat needs to be in a good location. It should not be placed in a high traffic area, and it should be far away from the cat’s food. The area should also be well ventilated so that it doesn’t smell too badly. Both you and your cat will reap its benefits.
Create a tablecloth that your cats can use. Certain cats prefer removing their food from their bowl and putting it on the side to eat it. This can result in a mess that needs to be cleaned up. 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.
Be careful if you leave a kitten with a young child. Never leave a pet alone with a child who is any younger than five. A child of that age doesn’t realize when they are being too rough with a pet. When they mature, they can spend alone time with the kitty.
High areas are ideal for cats. To keep your cat happy, offer him a spot of his own up high where he can survey his kingdom. If you’re averse to cat trees for some reason, a shelf without breakable items will work. Adding a small pillow or blanket to the spot for napping will be very much appreciated too.
Your cat should be acclimated to a carrier as a kitten. Cats don’t react to punishment like dogs do. They need positive reinforcement. Placing some of your cats favorite items in the carrier can really help. The cat will be drawn to the carrier, where it will feel safe and comfy. Once this is achieved, you can transport your cat inside the carrier much easier.
Drinking Fountain
Purchase a drinking fountain for your cat. When cats are in the wild they tend to prefer water that is running when they are thirsty, this applies to cats at home. A constant stream of water will entice them to stay hydrated. Cats will even drink from the tap if they can! A drinking fountain is a more environmentally-friendly way to allow them to drink naturally.
Make sure your cat always wears identification tags on their collar. This is necessary even for an indoors pet. Cats can slip out a door in a flash. Tags that have your vet’s name and phone number are good things to put on the collar. Include your cat’s special diet or medical needs on his identification.
When your cat is nearly ready to have her kittens, prepare a spacious, but protected area for your cat to give birth. The birth of the kittens will take approximately four hours, so use a little patience. If your cat has still not given birth to all her kittens after six hours, get her to a vet right away.
Has your cat stopped using its litter box? If so, consider moving the box into another location. The best place for a litter box is in a secure, quiet area. Cats feel vulnerable when they’re using it, so they want it to be in a place where they feel safe. A couple of good places to put your cat box are your basement and laundry room.
Many foods that are fine for humans are not good to give to your cat. A few unhealthy food items for cats are green tomatoes, grapes, garlic and onions. These foods will cause indigestion or much worse for your cat. In addition, milk can also upset your cat’s stomach.
If you decide to declaw your cat, never allow it to go outside. 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. The front claws should be the only ones removed. A cat’s back claws are important to his balance.
If you have been at home with your cat for an extended period and then return to work, it is quite possible that your cat will show signs of loneliness. One possible solution to ending your cat’s loneliness is to adopt a second cat.
Proper Care
If you make time to learn about proper care, cats can be great pets. Be sure to master the advice that you have just read. Keep reading, and use these tips to take proper care of your pet.