Would you save the life of an animal? There are plenty of cats who need a home. When you plan to adopt one, read this article to learn how to care for it.
You should not use products designed for other animals. Cats often have negative reactions to dog products. This will especially be true if it’s a product for fleas. These products can be fatal for your cat. Keep them separated by at least one door for a few hours after treatment.
Nice furniture and cat claws don’t get along very well. Purchase a scratching post to stop your cat from destroying your home. Encourage them to scratch that instead. Your cat will eventually understand they should only use the post or tower for scratching.
Litter Box
Pick the right location for your cat’s litter box. A cat’s litter box should be in a quiet spot in the house, away from where your cat eats. Make sure it’s properly ventilated to keep smell down. Both your cat and you will appreciate this.
Most cats spend a large amount of time on grooming themselves. If the cat has longer hair, it can be the cause of hairballs. If your cat needs assistance with this problem, consider a special diet. Some foods are enriched in fibers and vitamins to facilitate the digestion of the hairballs.
Create a tablecloth just for your cat. Cats sometimes like to eat food outside of their bowl. That can mean a bigger mess for you to clean. To make clean up a breeze, use a place mat underneath the bowl or a piece of fabric. You’ll be able to pick it up easily and shake the excess food into the trash.
If you give your kids a kitten, provide them with firm boundaries at the same time. You can then teach your kids which areas your cat can go into. Make sure the kids know if your cat is indoors only. Your children will be able to understand the rules more easily if they know them ahead of time.
Try not to let your cat go outside. This could be harmful and unsafe. Your cat could get fleas or even worse parasites. Cats can be harmed by cars, people and other animals. If they have to go outside, make sure it’s a small area like your lawn or backyard.
Avoid spending too much time trying to train your cat to utilize its litter box. This is a natural instinct that cannot be taught. A lot of people think that they can take their cat and try to rub their cat’s paws on the litter, but this may just traumatize the cat.
Do not discipline your cat if it makes a mess outside its litter box. If your cat makes a mess, it’s probably because their litter box is not properly cared for. Punishing your cat may cause him to become afraid of you or their litter box.
Your cat should like their carrier. The same response to punishment that you would expect from a dog does not apply to a cat. Most of the time, it is better to use positive reinforcement. Leave the door to a carrier open at all times, and make the interior enticing with a beloved toy and blanket. Your cat will start to venture into their carrier more often, until they are completely comfortable with it. It will then be easier to transport the cat in the carrier.
Your cat should always wear a collar and ID tag. This is very important for indoor cats. Cats can slip out a door in a flash. Include your contact number along with the name of your veterinarian. This is also important if your cat has special medical needs.
Adopting a needy cat is something to be proud of. You’ve given a good home to an animal in need. This will most certainly cause a strong bond to form, lasting even longer than the animal is alive. Take care of your pet and it will show its appreciation.
