Agility, intelligence, and the sound of purring. These are all features you get to enjoy from cat ownership. However, being a cat owner comes with a lot of responsibilities. This article will allow both you and your cat to be happier. Continue onward.
You must always take your cat for regular vet check-ups. Your vet can give you an idea of your cat’s overall health, in addition to administering any shots it may need. If you can, stick with one vet for your cat’s entire life. This way, the vet will be very familiar with your cat and its history.
Older cats will appreciate a heated bed; you can use a heated tile to create one! Heat a fabric covered heating pad in the microwave for a couple of minutes, making sure that is not too hot to the touch. Wrap it in an old towel and put it under your cat’s bed or blanket. If possible, re-heat several times throughout the night.
Keeping your cat off of the counter can be difficult. Cats like heights and like to see everything happening around them. You can try to combat this problem by designating some high-up places for your cat to hang out. Putting a cat tower in or near the kitchen can help keep the cats from laying on the counter.
Don’t allow your cat to get bored too often. Cats need to exercise and play. A lot of cat owners do not keep their cats busy. Bored cats are more prone to depression, obsessive compulsive disorders, as well as many other behavioral issues. Provide your cats with the toys and space it needs. If your cat is an indoor cat, a cat tower or scratching post makes an ideal source of fun and exercise.
Litter Box
Keep your cat’s litter box in the right location. A cat’s litter box should be in a quiet spot in the house, away from where your cat eats. Allow for adequate ventilation to dispel any odors. Your cat and you will prefer this in the end.
Give your kitty lots of love. Your cat will enjoy your company if you pet and play with her. Like most people, cats like to socialize and feel that they are included in the family. They’ll know they are accepted as members of the family if they get plenty of loving attention.
A cat generally spends quite a bit of time grooming itself. In long-haired cats, hairballs can result from excess grooming. One way to alleviate this condition in your cat is by feeding him special food. Some cat food brands have formulations to prevent or reduce hairballs, which will make life easier for your cat and you.
Let your cat get comfortable using a carrier. Cats just don’t respond like dogs do when it comes to punishment. Cats are better trained by using patient encouragement. Put a favorite blanket and toy in the carrier and leave it open somewhere the cat frequents. This will teach your cat that the carrier is a good thing. This takes the hassle out of traveling with your cat in its carrier.
Use canned food for your cat. While dry food is less costly, the canned food has added benefits. The water content is higher, and there is more protein and fat in the canned food. Older cats find it easier to eat, too. You should ask your vet for some recommendations if you are not sure what kind of food to get.
Carefully consider where you will locate your cats’ litter box. It’s sometimes tempting to put the box somewhere that you don’t have to smell or see it. However, it’s important to make sure your cat can easily access its litter box. It helps to make life easy for the cat, as they can be quite picky about things. Keep this in mind when deciding on the permanent placement for your best friend’s potty.
Give your cat a collar that features your contact information. An indoor cat should also have a tag with this information because he or she can sometimes escape. If this should happen, you will have a better chance of getting your cat back home.
Don’t give a cat medicine that is intended for humans. If your cat is ill, you need to take him to the vet to get proper treatment. When you make the mistake of giving any type of human medication to your cat, it can kill them or cause them some other type of grave medical misfortune.
Your cat has a remarkable sense of smell, much better than humans. They detect subtle changes in their environment. When you give them a new toy, bed, food or scratching post, this can be an issue. You shouldn’t be disappointed if your cat avoids new items at first. When your cat becomes more comfortable, he or she will adjust.
After you read this, there will be plenty of ideas you can use to put into practice. You will become an improved owner. When your cat is cared for properly, you will enjoy your time with it much more and it will be happier. Follow the guidelines above to help ensure your cat remains content.
