Any time you have a new pet, you are likely to face a variety of unique challenges. These challenges can also arise after many years with a cat. You need to prepare when getting a pet so you avoid mistakes. However, it is impossible to anticipate every problem that can arise when you bring home a frisky feline. You should keep reading to learn more about how you can properly care for your cat.
When it comes to litter boxes, placement is everything. Try to keep it away from areas of household traffic and away from your cat’s eating areas. Also, minimize the smell by making sure it is a well ventilated area. Your cat and you will appreciate it.
Grooming is something that most cats do all the time. When your cat’s coat is long, it can result in hairballs. There are special foods that can ease this issue. Some cat foods are specially formulated to help reduce hairballs, which is good for both you and your pet.
Use quality food to prevent crystals from forming in a cat’s urine. A cat passing the crystals can be very hurtful with an expensive vet bill to boot. Your cat needs food low in magnesium. Check the label. Poultry-based foods are generally lower in magnesium than fish.
Try as hard as you can to understand the reason your cat meows at you. After a while, you’ll start to recognize what some of the noises your cats makes mean. She may be hungry, or she may want you to let her outside. Getting to know your cats cues will help you to interpret her meows.
Speak to other people if you’re having cat troubles. You may try to handle it yourself, but you might need input from other cat owners. Your vet is a great source of advice, or you can find forums on the Internet to connect with other cat owners.
Litter Box
There is no need to spend hours trying to litter train your cat. Using the litter box will come naturally to your cat. A lot of people think that rubbing a cat’s paws in its litter box may help them, but in reality, it can be damaging to them.
Plan on spending the money for good cat food that contains the nutrients that your cat needs. Look at ingredient lists, making sure that a protein source, such as beef, chicken or fish, is at the top of the list. Steer clear of food made primarily of corn and fillers. Since cats are carnivorous, they require animal protein to stay in the best health.
Don’t bring home a cat with long hair without taking into account the extra care they’ll require. Long-haired cats shed constantly, and the fur ends up on your clothing, floors, and everything else in your home. Realize the extra effort needed to keep a long-haired cat. They can also have more health issues due to hairballs.
Place the litter box for your cat in an open area. Many people want it in an out of the way spot. However, if you hide it from your pet he might not try very hard to find it when he needs to go to the bathroom. A finicky cat may not use the litter box if the environment is very inconvenient. For example, a rug or mat is a good way to make a litter box placed on a concrete floor more attractive to your cat.
All the tips of training which you learned here apply to every cat breed, no matter how old or where they reside. Though the concepts are the same, there will inevitably be variations and a different set of circumstances for each family. Make sure you find time for fun with your cat because this is very important.