Owning a cat is a lot of fun. Make no mistake, though: Being a responsible cat owner involves putting in quite a bit of effort. With cat ownership, comes many responsibilities. Luckily, the article below will illustrate exactly what those responsibilities are. Keep reading and learn a little something about caring for your cat.
Keep your cat properly groomed. Cats should have regular combings. If you do this frequently you’ll be able to help the cat have clean fur. Having a clean fur coat helps reduce the amount of hairballs that get spit up around the house. Your cat should be kept groomed so that they look great and you’ll also make your home look good.
Make frequent checkups with your vet to keep your cat healthy. Understand that cats require vaccinations in order to stay healthy, and the veterinarian needs to regularly check for any health problems. Do your best to keep the same vet for your pet’s entire life. This will ensure they know the history of your cat well.
Your cat will want to climb into small spaces. If they have a collar on, this might prove to be a safety risk if they happen to get stuck. Breakaway collars are made to come off if tugged on vigorously. This can save all “nine” of your cat’s lives.
Make sure you purchase medicines and treatments specifically for cats. Cats have very strong, negative reactions to products formulated for dogs. Flea products for dogs are one of the worst products to give a cat. Dog products that are flea related can kill a cat. In fact, it is a good idea to separate your cat and dog for a few hours after your dog has taken flea medication.
Put a collar on any cats which go outside. Understand that cats may travel a long distance; therefore, if it gets lost, this tag will assist you and others in finding it. At least put your phone number and pets name on the tag.
A microchip for your cat is something that you should really consider. Even an indoor cat can get the urge to run out of a door or leap through a window. Collars or tags can identify your cat, but cats can wiggle out of those, and they are also at risk of getting hung up on something. Microchips are very small, and you can note your name, address and phone number in there. Most shelters have a scanner that can pick up the facts located inside the chip.
When you get a cat for your kids, make sure your kids know the rules in advance. Make sure your children know where in the house the cat is permitted to be. If you want the cat to be an inside cat, let the children know he cannot go outdoors. By making the rules well known to your children, your children will understand what is and is not allowed.
Why is your cat meowing? If you live with a cat for any amount of time, you will soon start to understand what your cat wants when she meows. A meow could signal anything from hunger to a desire for affection. Pay attention to her cues, and you can understand your cat that much more.
Brush your pet often. Brushing can help to spread the natural oils and stimulate the skin’s blood flow. It is also a good way to reduce shedding. This helps keep those hairballs from building up in your cat’s stomach.
Don’t buy cheap cat food. Your cat needs a lot of protein from meat, so read the labels before you choose a food. Avoid brands that use non-meat fillers like corn. Because cats are carnivores, their diet need only consist of a good source of protein.
Feed canned food to your cat. Although dry food is usually less expensive, canned food is better for your cat. Your cat will get extra protein and fats from canned food along with some of the water it needs every day. It’s also much softer on older teeth if your cat is getting up there in years. You should ask your vet for some recommendations if you are not sure what kind of food to get.
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. Expect to see your cats avoid each other, hiss, or even confront one another. However, cats should eventually learn to co-habitate properly.
Litter Box
Really consider where you place the litter box. It might be tempting to have it in a hidden area where you can’t see it or smell it. The litter box should be somewhere that is easy for your cat to get to, however. A finicky cat may not use the litter box if the environment is very inconvenient. If the box is placed on a cold floor, place a mat under it.
Confine a sanitary area of the house for your cat to give birth. The process generally takes about three hours, so you must exercise patience. If you suspect that there are more kittens inside your cat and it has been six hours of labor or more, you should take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.
If you are having problems getting the cat to use the litter box, move it. A cat has instincts that tell it when it goes to the bathroom it is vulnerable. This is why a box should be placed in an area that is quiet and safe. A basement, laundry room, or another area that doesn’t experience much household traffic is the ideal spot for the litter box.
As you read, having a pet cat can be very beneficial. You definitely need to take care of the feline so that it lives a great and healthy life. Consider the information presented here to make the most of your relationship with your new kitty.
