Smart, graceful, and stealthy are all things cats are. Those are the benefits of owning a cat. Cats can be a lot of work, in which case you will need some advice. In this article, you will find some useful tips for owning a cat that will make your life together with your cat a happy one. Keep reading!
Contact local shelters if you want to adopt a cat. Many shelters have more cats than they can handle and the fees associated with adoption take care of vet visits. When you bring home a shelter cat, you will be saving its life and you will be doing your part to help out.
Your home likely has no small spaces a curious cat won’t want to investigate. If they have a collar on, this might prove to be a safety risk if they happen to get stuck. Breakaway collars will “break” if they’re pulled too tight. Your cat can preserve a few of his nine lives with this.
Spay your female cat. Even if she stays inside all the time, she could get out when in heat and end up pregnant. If you want to prevent this, spay your cat.
Don’t use items on a cat that are meant for a dog. Cats usually react negatively to items made especially for dogs. Flea products can be especially harmful. Your cat can die if you use a dog flea product on it. If you own a dog, and they’ve been given a flea treatment, you should separate them from your cat for a few hours.
A cat’s claws can cause lots of damage to your home. If you find your cat shredding your furniture, consider purchasing a scratching post or cat tower. Teach your cat to scratch this instead of the legs of a couch or sofa. Be patient, it might take some time for your cat to learn to use the post or tower.
If you get a small kitten for your children, make sure they understand the rules ahead of time. Explain where the cat is and isn’t allowed. It’s also important to let them know that outside doors must be kept closed so that the cat doesn’t escape. Establishing these boundaries ahead of time prevents any confusion.
Be very careful about allowing children to be alone with a kitten. Up until your child is five, children shouldn’t be alone with your pet. A child of that age doesn’t realize when they are being too rough with a pet. Once the child grows up a little, he might be more able to handle the kitten.
Cats have a love affair with heights. To make your cat happier, give him a lookout perch where he can check out the area. If a cat tower is not ideal, a simple shelf that does not have any breakable items can work. Install a small bed for your cat or a comfortable blanket.
Canned food is an excellent choice for cats. Food that is dry is cheaper but canned food is better for your cat’s health. There is more water in canned food and more protein and fat too. As a cat ages, it has a harder time chewing. Speak with the vet, but food in cans tends to be better.
After reading this article, you have some ideas that you can put into practice. All these tips can only make living with cats much easier. A loving cat will improve your quality of life. Experiment with these tips and see for yourself.