For those who don’t know, feral cats live in the streets. A good portion of the domesticated cat population is composed of them and they can sometimes be trouble. You can learn how to deal with these cats before they cost you money.
Properly groom your cat. Cats must be brushed and groomed frequently. If yu do this quite often, it will help them stay clean. It also helps to reduce their shedding and can cut down on how many times they are spitting up hairballs. Brushing your cat will keep your home cleaner, too.
If your kitty is a female, make sure to plan a spaying once she is of age to breed. Even if she spends her time indoors, it is possible for her to escape while in heat, causing an unwanted pregnancy. Getting your cat spayed is a great way to stop this from going on.
Part of caring for your cat is taking it to regular veterinarian checkups. They need a check-up and possibly vaccinations. Cats need to be seen by a vet right away if there are injuries or health problems that don’t go away.
If your cat ventures outdoors, it’s key to get your cat a collar which has a contact tag. Tags can save you a lot of trouble if your cat gets lost. The tag should contain at least the cat’s name and your contact information.
It can be hard to make your cat stay off the counter. One thing they like about it is they enjoy being high up. You may mitigate the problem by providing designated heights for them to use. Keep your cats off the kitchen counter by placing their towers near the kitchen or even in it.
Pick a good spot for the cat’s litter box. It should not be placed in a high traffic area, and it should be far away from the cat’s food. To minimize odors, keep it in a spot that’s well ventilated. Your kitty will thank you.
Anytime you travel with a cat, their ears should be monitored. You may think it’s a good idea to listen to loud music on your stereo, but cats generally don’t enjoy this. Therefore, keep your music or other sounds at an acceptable level.
Avoid leaving a kitten alone with small children. A child less than five years old should not be left alone with a small pet. Kids of this age aren’t old enough to know how dangerous a cat can be. Find your child’s age of maturity when it comes to handling pets.
Litter Box
Make sure that you do not instruct your cat on using the litter box. Using the litter box is instinctual for cats, and they require no training. Some individuals believe they should carry their cat to the litter box and rub paws into the litter. This actually can be quite traumatic for a cat.
Keep you cat’s old scratching post even if it is beginning to look worn. It’s in this condition that cats tend to love it the most. Cats may well try scratching something else entirely (like your furniture!) if you replace their beloved toy with something unfamiliar.
Purchase high quality food for your cat. Look at ingredient lists, making sure that a protein source, such as beef, chicken or fish, is at the top of the list. Try avoiding foods that have non-protein elements like corn. Cats are naturally carnivorous. If you want to keep them healthy and happy, you need to feed them plenty of animal protein.
If you plan to add a second cat to your household, be sure to allow two to three weeks for your resident cat and the new cat to get used to each other. In the early days, you may see a lot of posturing from the cats including hissing and swatting at each other. Cats usually learn to enjoy having a companion or at least put up with another one in their home.
Be aware of your cat stopping their litter box usage. There are a number of health issues that can lead a well-trained cat to urinate in places other than their litter box. These problems are generally related to the kidneys and/or bladder. Speak with a veterinarian if you have a cat that has these issues.
Some foods are not permissible to serve to your cat. Grapes, onions and garlic are a few of the food items. If your cat eats these things then it can become ill or even die. Milk could also lead to an upset stomach if the cat drinks it.
Cats can be prone to a lot of the same illnesses you get. Since cats are like family, it’s easy to tell when they’re sick. If so, be sure and make an appointment with your vet. The vet can then rule out serious conditions.
Consider leaving your cat indoors most of the time. Cats that go outside tend to live shorter lives and often contract illnesses. You may even find that their diseases can affect your family members. Let your cat rest in a room with a lot of light; this will help satisfy his or her outdoor needs.
Never raise your hand to your kitten or cat. Doing this will only cause your cat to fear you. Try sprinkling your cat with water to deter him from his bad behavior.
When seeking to purchase food for your cat, its best to have an idea about healthy ingredients and what to stay away from. Read the labels and avoid anything that contains corn as a filler, chemical preservatives, and unspecified meat products. These ingredients might not harm your pet right away, but they don’t add sufficient nutritional value. It is best to look for food with protein at the top of the ingredient list.
This article has given you some great tips on how to deal with cats. Feral cats can destroy gardens, attack your pets, and invite their friends over. You should still be considerate of a cat’s sensitivities when interacting with it. Who knows, there could even be a feral cat out there that steals your heart!