Many people really are not prepared for the full responsibility of cat ownership. Learning about cats can help make your time together more productive. You can’t ever be 100% prepared when you own a pet. Luckily these tips can give you an edge and help you face the unknown.
Don’t leave drape cords near your cats. Cats love to play with hanging cords and this poses the threat of your cat hurting themselves or becoming entangled. This could hurt or kill them. To stop this from happening, pin your drapes and hide them out of sight.
Look a local animal shelters for cats. Shelters all over the country are crowded with marvelous cats, and most provide veterinarian care with the adoption fee. Adopting from a pet shelter benefits the cat population.
Ensure that you groom your cat regularly and properly. Brush your cat’s fur often to help it be shiny and healthy. Doing it constantly can help you keep their coats clean. It also helps to reduce their shedding and can cut down on how many times they are spitting up hairballs. Keeping a cat well groomed basically helps keep them looking their best, along with your home.
Cats enjoy getting into spaces that are small. If they’ve got a collar on, this may put them in danger as it can get stuck. Collars designed to release when sufficient force is applied (“breakaway” collars) are a great idea. Using this collar will prevent your cat from injuring itself.
Put a heated tile beneath the bed of an older cat. Simply heat a terra-cotta tile in a 200 degree oven for 20 minutes. Then, wrap this up into a towel and place it underneath your cat’s bed. This should be changed a few times a day to maximize comfort.
When your cat accompanies you on a trip, remember to consider the health of their ears. You may think it’s a good idea to listen to loud music on your stereo, but cats generally don’t enjoy this. Therefore, try lowering your music or turning it off in order for your cat to enjoy the trip more.
Make sure that you have a good tablecloth for your kitten. Certain cats prefer removing their food from their bowl and putting it on the side to eat it. That can mean a bigger mess for you to clean. Put a placemat under the bowl, or even some fabric so cleaning up is a snap.
Before you consider buying a kitten for your children, make sure clear boundaries are set before you bring the kitten home. Let your children know which rooms their cat can be in. Advise your children not to let the cat out if it is to be an indoor cat. It’s important to remind them as often as necessary, and when you plan ahead of time to teach your children, you will less likely to have issues.
Cats love high spots. Designating a high-up area where your cat can hang out and watch everything from will help him to feel comfortable. If a cat tree is not in your future, providing a stable shelving unit with no small items on it will do very well. Additionally, you can place a bed or blanket in this space.
Litter Box
Avoid spending too much time trying to train your cat to utilize its litter box. This comes naturally – you can’t teach it. Many people think rubbing a cat’s paws in litter will teach them to use the litter box, but it might actually traumatize them.
You cat will not be likely to be a finicky eater if you vary the type of food you are feeding from time to time. When you give the same thing day after day, it becomes boring.
Don’t throw away your cat’s old scratching post. Cats love them! If you toss it away in favor of something newer, your cat may look for something older to scratch, and that may end up being your furniture.
If your cat begins defecating or urinating too frequently, it’s time to see the vet. Cats can show this behavior if they have a type of urinary tract infection or other health issue. Some cheap antibiotics can resolve potential risks for your cat.
If you decide to declaw your cat, never allow it to go outside. They won’t be able to protect themselves against other animals, and they run the risk of getting seriously injured. Cats should only be declawed if they’re going to be inside fulltime. Even so, only remove the front claws when you do so. The back claws are left because these won’t scratch your furniture or floors.
The tips you just read will help you care for your cat, regardless of its age or breed. While there may be some advice that works for all cat owners, there are many issues which will vary from cat to cat. Always remember to have fun with your new adopted kitten because that is the most important concept of them all!