If you were given the opportunity to rescue an animal, would you take it? Cats in shelters need you. It only takes some knowledge and commitment to care for a cat. Read here about how to approach the process properly.
Your home likely has no small spaces a curious cat won’t want to investigate. A collar can be a dangerous thing to wear in such a place. Purchase breakaway collars that will give if they are yanked tightly. It can really be a life saver for your cat.
Put bitter apple on all electrical cords. If your cat still prefers to chew on cords, then you have to make sure they stay covered. You can take loose cords, bundle them up, and stick them inside the tube from an old roll of paper towels. Any electronic item not in use should be stored away where the cat can’t get to it.
Don’t allow your cat to get bored too often. Your cat needs plenty of exercise. A lot of cat owners do not keep their cats busy. Bored cats can suffer from depression, extreme compulsive disorders, and other harmful issues that can negatively impact their overall health and well-being. Give them toys and things to do. If you have an indoor cat, provide a kitty gym for them to climb on or a scratching post.
Cats will often devote most of their time to grooming. When your cat’s coat is long, it can result in hairballs. If you’ve got a cat with this issue, get it special types of food. There are foods that are made to reduce the frequency of hairballs. It’s a smart move for your cat and your sanity.
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 what rooms you will allow the cat to go into. If the cat is to be indoors, tell your children not to allow him outside. If you make the rules ahead of time, you can be sure your kids understand them.
If your cat does not use the litter box, do not use punishments to try to discipline him. If this happens, it may be because you have not kept the box as clean as you should. Punishing the cat will only make him afraid to be around you in the future.
Let your cat get comfortable using a carrier. The same response to punishment that you would expect from a dog does not apply to a cat. Encouragement is more likely to get them to respond. Place a loved blanket and favorite toy into a carrier and then leave the door open. Make sure it’s in an area that the cat frequents. Over time the cat will not be stressed about the carrier and will enter it voluntarily. It will then be easier to transport the cat in the carrier.
To avoid having a picky cat, switch up the kinds of foods you give him. This will ensure that your cat gets a taste of many different foods.
If you just own one cat but are considering obtaining another one, then you should ensure you allow a few weeks for your old cat and new one to become familiar with each other. They might hide from each other or hit each other. With enough time to acclimate themselves to the new arrangement, though, virtually any two cats will become willing, friendly, and perhaps even inseparable companions.
If your cat is urinating a lot or in areas away from the litter box, they may need to see the vet. Cats can show this behavior if they have a type of urinary tract infection or other health issue. A potentially serious illness can be prevented with some inexpensive antibiotics.
Litter Box
Your kitty’s litter box should be strategically placed. Your first instinct will be to put it in a nook or cranny so that you won’t see or smell it. The litter box should be somewhere that is easy for your cat to get to, however. It has to be a quiet area with little traffic. For example, a rug or mat is a good way to make a litter box placed on a concrete floor more attractive to your cat.
Give the cat a collar with your contact information. The cat may get out if it has a chance to, even house cats do this. When your cat gets outside unexpectedly, it’s your responsibility to enable others to help your cat find their way home again.
It’s important to only feed your cat the amount of food that it should have to ensure a healthy life. If your pet eats much more than it should, it may become overweight, which can lead to a number of illnesses. Carefully monitor your cat’s portions to make sure they eat a balanced diet.
If you are worried about your cat contracting rabies, catching fleas or being exposed to fungus, you should not let him go outdoors. While your cat may still have problems with these things as an indoor cat, they will have less of a chance to have these problems if they don’t go outside.
Think over the decision to allow your cat to eat food that you’re eating. Cats can’t digest many human foods, and many are even dangerous to them. A good treat for your cat from time to time can be a small piece of cooked beef, egg or chicken. However, if you’re feeding your cat the right food, he is getting the correct nutrition.
Cat owners should be proud of loving their cats so much. Opening your home to someone in need is a selfless act, whether it is a person or an animal. You’re making a friend for the duration of their life. If you give your cat love, you will get it in return.