After getting their first cat, many families encounter unexpected issues. Never purchase a cat before you plan in advance. 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 your female cat is old enough, it’s vital to get her spayed. You may not think it’s necessary if you have an indoor cat, but your cat may escape. Unless you want the hassle of getting rid of kittens, spaying is the best option for your cat.
If you have an outdoor kitty, make sure to invest in a break away collar with an identification tag. Cats sometimes travel a bit when outside, and a tag prevents any mishaps due to your cat being lost. The tag needs your phone number and cat’s name at the minimum.
Normally cats are nocturnal animals. This refers to the fact that they are usually more active at night. If your cats are busy keeping you awake early, just close your bedroom door. This will keep them from attacking your toes.
Pick the right location for your cat’s litter box. The box should be out of the high traffic areas and a good distance from where your cat eats. To prevent a strong stench, be sure this space is well-ventilated. Your cat will appreciate it and so will you.
A proper diet for male cats will help prevent kidney problems that cause them to pass crystals with their urine. Passing those crystals hurts and having this corrected by a vet is expensive. Let your cat have food that doesn’t have a lot of magnesium in it. Check the ingredients list on the label. Fish usually has more magnesium than poultry.
Think hard before allowing your cat outside. This can be very unsafe for your cat. Your cat may get fleas or something even worse than that. Cats can also be hunted by other animals, stolen or hit by passing vehicles. If your cat has to be outside, make sure it is only in a small area near the house.
Cats love being up high. A cat will only be happy if you give it a safe spot to look over everything. If a big cat tree is not something that can easily fit in your home, get a sturdy shelf that can be used as a perch. Make sure that this area is comfortable for your cat.
Speak to others about your cat problems. You may wish to deal with it alone, but you may need advice from other cat owners. There are many online forums that discuss cats. Most vets will also be happy to help you with some advice.
Give your cat a wide array of foods in order to prevent pickiness. If you start them off eating the same type of food all of the time and you never change it up, this will most likely be the only food they will eat in the future.
You cat should get cat food that is of a good quality. You should check the ingredients and make sure the food you give your cat includes a healthy source of protein, such as chicken, fish or beef. Look for foods that do not have corn or elements that aren’t protein. You have a carnivorous cat, and a diet consisting of animal proteins is essential.
It is important for a cat to have play time. Play is important for all mammals, even people, regardless of their age. Older cats might not be quite as energetic as they used to be, but light play can still be fun for them. Play with your cat, and you’ll both have fun.
Litter Box
Put some thought into where you place the litter box. You may want to place in some out-of-the-way corner so the smell doesn’t bother anyone. Make sure your cat can easily reach the litter box at all times. Cats tend to be finicky, so you’ll want to provide a location that isn’t off-putting to your cat. Instead of just keeping the box on cold cement, add a rug or mat beneath it.
Avoid any products containing phenol around your cats. This is a chemical that is normally found in Lysol, Pine-Sol and other household cleaners. Cats hate the smell of phenol and continuously exposing them to it could cause liver problems later in their lives.
Don’t give cats human medication. If your cat has any health problems, you should take them to the vet and administer whatever he provides. You can kill a cat by giving them human grade medications.
If hairballs are a problem that brushing won’t solve, there are some other things you can try. Mix some pumpkin into your cat’s food. In addition, you could use one teaspoon of water for packing tuna and mix it with the pumpkin. It is also possible to get help from cat food varieties containing fiber and other ingredients.
You should reconsider a choice of providing table scraps to your cat. The way human food is cooked and the ingredients involved makes for it not being a good choice for your cat. If you want to give your cat a treat, a spoonful of chicken or some egg is okay. Make sure that you consult with your vet before feeding your cat anything.
Though taking your cat to the vet is inevitable, the bills can be costly. Consider purchasing cat medication over the Internet to save money. Some companies will express ship to your door. Buying frequently-used medicine this way can save you a lot of money.
The tips given to you are great for all types of cats. They are the basics on which your plans should be based. Having fun with a new cat is the most vital concept!