Cats are amazing creatures. They’re smart, but also independent, which makes them a great pet. However, it’s not easy caring for a kitten properly. Get some advice here on how to care for your cat in a productive and affordable way, making his life better overall.
Keep your cat away from your drapery cords. Cats can potentially strangle themselves on these cords so it is important to protect your cat from this potential danger. This could cause injury or death. Pin back drape cords to avoid this type of issue.
Cats love to get into tight, small spaces. Cats that wear collars are at risk should they become stuck somewhere cramped. A collar that is a breakaway model will detach itself if it gets pulled on. This will help you save your cat’s life.
It can be tricky to keep a cat off the kitchen counters. Cats enjoy heights, as they can monitor events from their perch. One way to nip this problem in the bud is to give your cat a dedicated perch of their own as an alternative to using your space. Putting a cat tower in or near the kitchen can help keep the cats from laying on the counter.
Put a cloth down in your cat’s eating area. Sometimes cats like to take food out of the bowl and eat it to the side of the bowl. This may make a big mess that you need to clean up. Place a piece of fabric or a place-mat under your cat’s bowl and then simply shake it over a garbage can for quick and easy clean up.
Just because your family did it when you were a child, does not mean allowing your cat to go outside is a wise decision. This can be something that isn’t very safe for a cat. Your cat may pick up some fleas, or worse. Other animals, cars and people can hurt your cat. If your cat must go outside, try to confine them to the backyard.
Be sure to brush or comb your cat’s fur on a regular basis. This helps spread out the cat’s natural oils in their fur and stimulates blood flow in the skin. It will also remove loose hair. Avoid the choking that can be a result of hairballs which slowly build up as your cat grooms himself.
Provide your cat with a drinking fountain. Cats out in the wild like to drink from running water, so they would like that at home too. Cats prefer to drink water that is streaming. Cats often like the running water more than their own bowl of water. Also, drinking fountains are more environmentally friendly and gives them the ability to drink naturally.
If your cat urinates frequently or outside his box, you may need to talk to your vet. It could be an indication of a serious health problem. A potentially serious illness can be prevented with some inexpensive antibiotics.
Litter Box
Where did you put the litter box? Many cat owners feel inclined to hide the litter box. 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. It has to be a quiet area with little traffic. If the litter box is on a hard surface, make sure to put something soft underneath it.
Stay current on your cat’s exams and vaccinations. Just like with having kids, young cats need to be checked on to see if they’re doing okay from time to time. It also needs its shots so that you can avoid problems later on down the road. You have made your cat a family member, and you have to treat your cat accordingly.
Be aware of your cat stopping their litter box usage. There are a number of medical issues that can cause your cat to suddenly stop using their box. A variety of infections and kidney disease can cause your cat to stay away from the box when they suddenly associate it with pain due to their medical condition. Ask your vet if your cat begins missing the litter box.
One way to get a cat to use the litter box is to move it to a different place in the house. Cats know that they’re vulnerable when using the bathroom and need a place that is quiet and safe. A basement or laundry area might be a good option.
When a dog wags it’s tail, it’s telling you that it is excited or happy. Cats wag their tail as well, but have different reasons psychologically. Tail-wagging in a cat usually means a conflict or that they’re deciding to flee or pounce regarding a situation. Similarly, if your cats tail wags when you hold it, it’s wise to put it down at that time.
Give your cat a collar with your contact information. You may have an indoor pet, but that doesn’t mean it won’t ever get out. Do everything possible to make sure your cat is returned safely to you in the event it gets out.
Indoor Cat
An indoor cat is a healthy, happy cat. Cats that stay inside have been shown to live much longer than the ones that are allowed to roam your neighborhood. Make sure your cat is trained as an indoor cat if you don’t want it to get diseases or other things that can happen when it’s outdoors.
Dry food is a good choice for your cat. Kittens need the wet food, however, due to their small teeth. As they get older and get adult teeth, they will have stronger teeth by eating dry food. For those cats who are picky eaters, a mixture of both dry and wet food usually does the trick.
As you can now see, a cat can be the best pet you’ve ever had. Refer to the tips included here often. Take what you have learned, and use it to create a home that gives your cat a happy and healthy life.