Cats are lovely, beautiful creatures. Cats can, however, take a lot of commitment and time. As the owner of a cat, you have many very important obligations to your pet. This article list some tips and responsibilities that a good cat owner should know. Read on and learn.
Cats often view small spaces as a fun challenge. If your cat gets caught on something wearing a traditional collar they could end up hurting their neck trying to break free. A collar that will breakaway is the best idea for safety. Your cat can preserve a few of his nine lives with this.
Use bitter apple on your electric cords to keep your kitty away from them. If your cat still insists on chewing your cords, try to cover as many of them as possible. If you have any loose cords around your home, try stuffing them into a used paper towel roll. Any electrical cords that are really thin (and very tempting) should really be hidden whenever possible.
Enticing kitty to stay off the kitchen counter is sometimes challenging. Cats love being up high so that they can see. It helps to provide your cat with certain high spaces where it is allowed. A cat tower near your kitchen can give them a place to watch you that is out of the way.
Get a microchip for your cat. You never know when your cat could get away from you. While a collar with a tag is useful, remember that your cat may be able to escape from the collar while they are away. Collars can also harm your cat if they get caught. Your important information can all fit nicely on a rice grain sized microchip. Many vets and shelters have scanners that can read these chips and since they lie under their skin, they won’t get lost.
While usually cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Make sure your child knows how to pet a cat. Spend some time showing them how to lift a cat and how they can interact with the cat. Feline bones are weaker than those of many other pets, so they must be handled with care.
Make a tablecloth that your cat can use. It’s a common practice for cats to eat their food on the side of their bowl. If this happens, you’ll have to clear away any excess food that’s left outside. You can also use any type of mat underneath your cat’s eating apparatus to reduce the mess.
Watch kittens around kids. Children under 5 years of age should not be alone with the pet. These children just do not possess the maturity to handle a kitten. They aren’t aware of the danger that they can cause to it. As they age, you can determine how much interaction they should have with the animal.
Cats feel safest in an elevated location. For very happy cats, give them a safe place where they can look around at their surroundings. If you can’t afford a cat tree, give the cat an empty shelf of his own. Providing a blanket or bed for your cat is an extra treat for them.
You should talk to other pet owners if you have an issue with yours. It is possible to work out the problem yourself, but help from others can be invaluable. There are online cat forums that allow you to ask questions as well.
Make sure to give your cats different types of food so that they aren’t as finicky. If you feed them the same cat food every day, they may not accept anything else. This makes it difficult to find food they’ll eat when a store runs out of a certain brand, or you are traveling.
While a torn up scratching post might look unattractive, do not get rid of it. Your cat will enjoy the post most when it has been well used. If you throw it away and replace it too quickly with a new one, they may shun the new one and go after your carpet and furniture.
The potential benefits of cat ownership are, it’s worth stating again, numerous and wide-reaching. But to ensure your pet stays healthy and happy, you must give it the care it needs. Use these tips to make your cat’s life complete.