As pets, cats are always a great choice, except that they can get a little pricey. Between toys, litter, food, and vet visits, the costs of having a cat can make a person hesitant about owning one. The following are some ideas for making the process of cat care cost a bit less.
Cats often view small spaces as a fun challenge. If your cat gets caught on something wearing a traditional collar they could end up hurting their neck trying to break free. Collars designed to release when sufficient force is applied (“breakaway” collars) are a great idea. This could save your cat’s life!
A heated tile for underneath your cat’s bed can provide real comfort. Put a square foot of terra cotta tile into your oven heated to 200 degrees. Keep the tile in the oven for about 15 minutes. Wrap the tile in a towel and then put it under the bed. If you want, change it now and then so the warmth continues.
Taking your cat to the vet is part of being a responsible pet owner. They should have regular check ups annually, and more appointments should be made if they need to get important shots. Cats need to see a vet right away if they have health issues, injuries or conditions that require immediate attention.
Keep your cat active and entertained to avoid boredom. Cats require physical activity. Sadly, this can be easily overlooked. Bored cats will quickly wreck your home or become obese. Spend time playing with them, and go through a variety of toys to find ones they like and will play with while you’re busy, too. If they’re an indoor cat, get them an object to climb on or a scratching post.
Most cats are nocturnal. Thus, the bulk of their activity will occur at night. If your kittens are keeping you awake into the middle of the night, close the door to your bedroom. Your cat will not bother you in the middle of the night if this area is off limit.
It is likely that your feline friend enjoys grooming his fur. If your cat has hair that’s long it could get hairballs. There are foods which help combat this problem. Some foods are enriched in fibers and vitamins to facilitate the digestion of the hairballs.
If your cat is male, understand that he could develop crystals inside his urine, which can be very painful to him. Therefore, prevent this issue from occurring in the first place by feeding your cat the right type of food. Your cat will experience considerable pain when he has to pass these crystals, and it’s not an easy (or cheap) problem for your veterinarian to fix. Feed your cat food that is low in magnesium. The best way to find out is to read the label. Products that have fish in them have more magnesium usually when compared to products with poultry.
If you’re looking for good prices on cat medications, check online sources. The prices will usually be substantially better than at your vet. There are some times when this isn’t a good idea, like when you’re dealing with a pet related emergency. It is possible to save up to 50% on certain medications by purchasing them online.
Unlike most humans, cats love heights. For a truly happy cat, provide a safe place for your cat to survey his surroundings. If you’re averse to cat trees for some reason, a shelf without breakable items will work. Make sure that this area is comfortable for your cat.
Cat Owners
Speak to other people if you’re having cat troubles. Other cat owners may have had experience with what you’re going through right now. Participate in online discussion boards for cat owners, or pick up the telephone and speak with your vet.
Acclimate your cat to a cat carrier. Introducing your cat to a carrier as a kitten can really help to make this easier. They like responding to encouragement better. Place a beloved blanket or item inside the carrier and let it stay open near the cat’s usual haunts. The cat will eventually get into it and feel comfy. Transporting your cat inside the carrier will then become much easier.
Make sure you put your catbox in the optimal location. Many cat owners feel inclined to hide the litter box. The litter box should be somewhere that is easy for your cat to get to, however. Cats can be finicky, so it is important that you give them an environment they feel comfortable in. If your litter box location is on a cold floor, you may want to put a rug underneath of the box.
Dogs let you know when they are excited and/or happy when they wag their tails. Cats wag their tail for a different reason. 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 your cat starts wagging its tail while you hold it, you might want to set it down to avoid getting scratched and swatted.
Many foods that are fine for humans are not good to give to your cat. Garlic and onions are popular examples. When a cat eats these items, they can get very sick. Even though everyone knows that cats love milk, this can actually cause a cat to have an upset stomach.
Never make the choice of giving your cat human medication. If health problems arise, take your cat to a vet. If you give a pet something that it shouldn’t take, you could injure it or even kill it.
It’s difficult to deny that owning any type of pet comes with costs and conundrums. There are so many things to do that it is akin to having a child. The information here should have helped you see that you can lessen costs, but still give you the ability to give your cat tip top care.