Adding a cat to your family can be quite enjoyable. When one adopts unprepared, bad things can happen. Even well-educated cat owners are often faced with unexpected challenges. The best thing to do is to read this article, but be ready for anything.
Drape Cords
If you have drape cords in your home, keep them away from your cats. Do not let your cat play with these. If the cords are in loops and the cat jumps into them or plays with them, they could possibly get them caught around their neck. This is incredibly dangerous as it could be fatal for your cat. Keep your drape cords pinned out of sight to prevent this.
If you’re traveling with your cat, take care to remember their ears. You may be tempted to blast your favorite songs at top volume. Cats, on the other hand, would probably prefer that you didn’t. Therefore, try to turn down your music or keep if off altogether so your cat has a better trip.
A tablecloth should be made for your cats. Sometimes cats prefer to remove food from their bowls and eat it from the floor. This can really make a mess, and you might have to spend significant time cleaning around your cat’s food bowl. Think about putting a placemat underneath the bowl or make your own tablecloth out of fabric.
Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. Let them know which rooms and areas your cats should not be in. If you want your cat to stay indoors, then the children must understand the seriousness of never letting it out. Make sure your children understand the rules from the get go.
Think hard before allowing your cat outside. This can be very unsafe for your cat. Your cat may pick up some fleas, or worse. Cats can also be hunted by other animals, stolen or hit by passing vehicles. If you’ve just got to have the cat outdoors, limit it to an enclosed area.
Brush your cat’s coat often. This will spread all of their natural oils around and help their blood flow. Additionally, brushing helps to expedite hair shedding. This helps keep those hairballs from building up in your cat’s stomach.
Get your feline acclimated to its carrier. Cats are not as responsive to punishment as dogs are. They like responding to encouragement better. Leave the door to a carrier open at all times, and make the interior enticing with a beloved toy and blanket. Sooner or later, your cat will try out the appealing space and learn to be comfortable in it. Once this is achieved, you can transport your cat inside the carrier much easier.
Don’t throw away your cat’s old scratching post. You may believe that it’s in terrible condition, but cats typically prefer it this way. Even if you throw it away and buy a new one, your cat may opt for tearing up your upholstery instead.
Purchase high quality food for your cat. Pay attention to the ingredient list on any food you feed them. Protein needs to be one of the very first items on the list, while fillers like corn and other grains should be avoided. Try to avoid foods that consist of corn, or other non-protein elements. Cats are carnivores, and they need a good amount of protein in their diet.
Dogs will often wag their tails to show their happiness or excitement. Cats, however, move their tails or sway it side to side for totally different reasons. Tail-wagging is usually a sign that your cat is considering attacking or fleeing. If you’re snuggling your kitty and you see its tail wag, it’s a sign you should put it down before you get scratched.
Don’t use products with phenol in a house with a cat. Phenol is found in common products such as Pine-Sol, Lysol, and various other cleaners. This smell is very offensive to cats, and prolonged exposure can even damage their liver.
Don’t give your cat medicine intended for humans. A visit to the veterinarian will ensure that your pet receives the proper medication. Giving cats medication meant for humans is very dangerous and could even kill them.
If your find that your cat is panting, pay attention. For dogs, panting is typical behavior. Cats often pant when they are anxious or overheated, but this may also signal a more serious issue. Make sure you contact a vet, especially if your cat has had respiratory problems in the past.
No matter what cat you have, these tips can work to train them. The concepts you just went over are the basics and can help you to raise a cat so that it’s a happy and healthy animal the rest of its life. Just remember to enjoy every minute with your adopted kitten no matter what.