If you are not familiar with the term, feral cats are those that live out in the street. These cats are abandoned and make up almost half of the whole cat population. Continue reading to learn all you can about having a pet cat.
If your cat is getting older, you can increase it’s comfort by placing its bed over a heated tile. A terra cotta tile heated in your oven on about 200 degrees and for 15 minutes will do. Wrap this in a towel that’s old and then place it under the bed the cat sleeps on. If necessary, repeat this every few hours.
If your cat is female, it is very important that she be spayed when the vet feels she is old enough. Even if she is an inside cat, you need to spay her because she could get out. Spray your cat so that this does not occur.
If you have an outdoor kitty, make sure to invest in a break away collar with an identification tag. Cats can get lost, and they need a tag to be found. Some required information on the tag would be the cat’s name and your personal phone number.
Contact Information
You may want to have a microchip implanted in your cat. One day, your indoor cat might leave through an open door or get outside through an open window. Although they provide the information needed to find your beloved pet, they can also accidentally get caught or even be wiggled out of. Microchips are as small as a rice grain and have all of your important contact information. Most vets and all shelters can scan these chips to get your contact information and there is no risk of losing the chip.
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. This problem is painful for the cat and to your wallet, as well. Choose a cat food low in magnesium. Read the ingredient list on the label. Fish products tend to be higher in magnesium than poultry products.
Your cat has sensitive ears, especially in the car when they’re stressed out. You may be tempted to blast your favorite songs at top volume. Cats, on the other hand, would probably prefer that you didn’t. This means that you should keep your music turned down or off so the cat can relax.
Keep smaller children away from pets as they are typically too aggressive. Teach your kids the right way to hold a cat. Teach them about appropriate activities and how to gentle pick up the cat. Cat’s bones aren’t quite as strong as dogs, so they must be treated gingerly.
Do not punish your cat if they make a mess in the area outside of the litter box. Check out the box instead and see if it has been neglected; this is often a cause of accidents. Punishing your cat will make it afraid of being close to you.
Litter Box
If you have a cat who won’t use the litter box, try moving it someplace else. A cat will be more inclined to use the litter box if it is placed in a quiet and safe area in your home. Try placing it in a laundry room or a basement, where there is limited traffic in the home.
Put a collar around your cat’s neck. Make sure it has your address, phone number and name. Even a house cat may get outside. Should this occur, your cat can be returned to you or someone can contact you with his whereabouts.
Never use chemicals that have phenol in it near your cat. This chemical is often found in cleaning products such as Pine-Sol and Lysol. The smell of the chemical isn’t pleasant for your cat and prolonged exposure may cause liver problems.
Don’t give a cat human medications. The vet is the only one who should do the prescribing – not you. Giving cats medication meant for humans is very dangerous and could even kill them.
Your cat has a remarkable sense of smell, much better than humans. They detect subtle changes in their environment. It can occur when something new is introduced to the home, like a new water bowl, scratching post or bed. Don’t be upset if the cat does not take to these items immediately. As the item takes assimilates the smell of his home, it will become acceptable to your cat.
If your schedule has changed recently, leaving your cat alone for long periods of time, you may find that your cat will seem lonely or lethargic. It can be a good idea to get a companion cat to keep yours company when you are at work.
Try using sticky tape if you own a cat. If you have a cat that scratches your upholstery you need to place tape on that as well. Certain pet stores sell this kind of tape. Booby-trapping furniture and getting a scratching post can help you break your cat of this habit.
Now you should have no trouble helping your cat to have the best life it possibly can. Cats are prone to a number of issues, but with the right knowledge, you’ll be able to handle all of them. Just remember that cats are still delicate animals in a way, and you should always handle them with some level of care. Now that you’ve read this article, you are more knowledgeable on how to deal with all cats.
