Cats are amazing friends and companions. If you haven’t owned a cat previously, then you definitely need to keep reading. Living with a cat is rewarding but does present some responsibilities unique to the cat species. Read on for useful tips.
If you want to add a cat to your family, go to the shelter first to see what is available. Shelters have a lot of cats in them and you can get one adopted for a small fee. Adopting a cat this way helps to save their life and cut down on unwanted animal births.
Ensure your cat remains groomed. Cats need to be combed or brushed regularly. If you brush cats on a regular basis, it will keep their coats clean and attractive. It also reduces their shedding and hairballs. Regularly grooming your cat will help keep it and your home looking great.
To help your aging cat feel cozy, place a warmed tile under his bed. Simply heat a terra-cotta tile in a 200 degree oven for 20 minutes. Put it inside an old towel, then place it beneath the cat’s bed. If possible, re-heat several times throughout the night.
You should get your cat a tagged collar, even if it is not legally required. A lost cat is much easier to locate if they are properly tagged. The tag should contain your name and number for contact purposes.
It’s not easy to keep cats off counters. Cats have a natural predilection for staking out a nice elevated place where they have a good view of their surroundings. It helps to provide your cat with certain high spaces where it is allowed. An excellent tool for preventing your cat from jumping on the counter is a cat tower that is in the kitchen.
Cats are often nocturnal creatures. The result is that they active while you’re sleeping. Close the door to prevent the noise from getting to you. Your cat will not bother you in the middle of the night if this area is off limit.
Some male cats get urinary crystals, but this is preventable with proper diet. These crystals can cause a lot of pain to your cat and could end up costing you a lot in medical expenses. Your cat needs food low in magnesium. Read the label on any food you choose. Foods that contain fish usually have more magnesium.
If you cat is overly vocal, try to figure out exactly why he or she is making so much noise. You need to learn what their meows mean. It may be a sign your cat needs food, or needs to be let outdoors. By giving her the proper amount of attention you can better attend to her needs.
Brush your cat regularly. It really helps move natural oils around the cat’s fur, and it improves blood flow. As an added bonus, it cuts down on loose fur. This can reduce hairballs which can be harmful to a cat and build up in their stomachs.
Feed your cat several different kinds of food if you want to the lower the chances of them becoming finicky. If they eat the same food all the time without changing it, that may be the only one they’ll eat later on.
Make canned food the mainstay of your cat’s diet. Food that is dry is cheaper but canned food is better for your cat’s health. Canned food is rich in protein and fat and also has a higher water content. This will make it easier for your older cats to digest. Be sure to ask your vet about your pet’s food; however, canned food is usually the best for your cat.
Aired Cat
If you are considering a long-haired cat breed then you should also consider the extra maintenance required. The hair looks good, except when it’s all over your furniture. You should only get a long-haired cat if you are prepared for the extra grooming and cleaning. Also, cats with long hair tend to have frequent hairball issues.
Do you feel overwhelmed by cat hair everywhere you look? Cats are shedding machines, which means you need to brush them to keep the shedding under control. If your cat is a big shedder, you definitely want to brush him often. Doing this will also make sure they don’t get a matted or tangled coat.
Choosing a cat for your pet might be one of the best decisions you will ever make. They can help you to unwind and can bring you a great deal of comfort. However, you need to know the proper way to take care of a cat if you’re going to own one. Use these tips to achieve a great relationship.