Similar to humans, cats should have a good diet full of nutrients. If you do not feed your cat properly, they may become malnourished. These tips can help you prevent that.
Make sure your cat is always groomed. Brush your cat’s fur often to help it be shiny and healthy. This will help them maintain a clean and healthy coat. In addition, it helps decrease shedding, which results in less hairballs. Grooming a cat properly will improve the appearance of your home and cat.
A vet trip should happen for your cat yearly. There are shots and vaccinations that are standard and necessary for your cat. Your cat will be more comfortable if you continue using the same vet. You won’t have to worry that the vet won’t have all of your cat’s medical records.
While usually cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Spend time instructing your children on cat care. Demonstrate the proper way to pick up a cat and what they can do with the cat. Cats don’t have strong bones like dogs do, so they need to be treated gently.
Reconsider having an outdoor cat. This can compromise your cat’s safety. Your cat may get fleas or something even worse than that. Cats can be harmed by cars, people and other animals. If you think your pet needs to go outside, think about enclosing a back patio with metal mesh or some type of heavy screen to keep your cat inside, yet allow them to experience the outdoors.
Be careful if you leave a kitten with a young child. Children under 5 years of age should not be alone with the pet. Kids of this age aren’t old enough to know how dangerous a cat can be. As your child matures, carefully consider whether a small pet is safe with them.
Cats enjoy being high up. Make sure your cat has a safe place to play. If a big cat tree is not something that can easily fit in your home, get a sturdy shelf that can be used as a perch. For an extra treat, place a blanket or small bed up there too.
Never reprimand your cat for missing the litter box. Check out the box instead and see if it has been neglected; this is often a cause of accidents. Punishing your cat will make it afraid of being close to you.
Consider getting your cat a fountain to drink from. When cats are out in the wild they like to drink running water, and this is true in your home as well. Cat usually respond well to streams. In fact, many cats like to drink from a running faucet instead of drinking from their water bowls. A fountain will allow your cat to drink like he or she is in the wild.
If you want a cat with long hair, be prepared to put in extra time and care. That hair will truly get everywhere! Long-haired cats can be very high maintenance over the course of the year. Be prepared to deal with hairballs, which are a problem for long-haired cats.
Dogs usually wag their tails as a sign of friendly greeting or encouragement. While cats are also prone to tail wagging, they do it for very different reasons. A cat that is flicking its tail is either feeling threatened or predatory and is considering his next move. If you’re holding the cat and their tail begins wagging, they should be put down so that you don’t get scratched or hit.
Put a collar around your cat’s neck. Make sure it has your address, phone number and name. An indoor cat should also have a tag with this information because he or she can sometimes escape. If that happens, you want to be sure that there is a way for them to make it back home.
Beginning a new job out of the house can have an impact on your cat. It can be a good idea to get a companion cat to keep yours company when you are at work.
Just like humans, being overweight can harm a cat’s health, so do not feed him too much. Besides putting your cat at risk for obesity, providing it with too much food can open the door to many other health problems. Keep your cat eating healthy and consistent at all times.
Sticky Tape
Place sticky tape on pieces of furniture. Whenever your cat scratches any upholstery, sticky tape is a great way to dissuade them from doing it again. Check a pet store for this kind of tape. You should also give your cat a favorable alternative by purchasing a scratching post.
You should never feed your cats human food while you’re dining at the table. People food is not an appropriate diet for cats, both because of the ingredients and the manner in which food is cooked. A good treat for your cat from time to time can be a small piece of cooked beef, egg or chicken. However, as long as you follow the instructions for feeding on your choice of cat food, his diet should be nutritionally complete.
Do not allow your pet to go without a tag and collar. Cats are very resourceful and like to try to escape whenever the chance presents itself. A tagged animal has a much better chance of being brought home.
A good diet is very important to the overall health of a cat. If your cat has a poor diet and does not eat enough good food or eats too much bad food, their life span can be decreased. Treating your cat to everything it wants and needs is the only responsible thing to do as a pet owner.
