There are few pets as rewarding to own as a cat. Cats are lots of fun, and they also rid the house of mice and similar pests. To learn more about properly caring for your cat, keep reading.
If you have an old cat, you can help make its bed more comfortable by placing heated tiles underneath it. A terra cotta tile about a foot square is ideal. You can warm it with a 15-20 minute stop in your oven, set to approximately 200 degrees. Put it inside a cloth and place underneath your feline’s blanket or bed. If necessary, you can change out the tile after a few hours to provide continued warmth.
Frequently Bored
Don’t let your cat get frequently bored. Cats require physical activity. Unfortunately, lots of people who own cats neglect this. Cats that are frequently bored may develop OCD, depression or other harmful conditions. Give them lots of space for exercise and plenty of toys they can play with. If you have an indoor cat, offer him a variety of toys, scratching post or objects he can climb on.
Pick the right location for your cat’s litter box. Place the litter box away from high traffic areas. Additionally, the litter box should be placed away from your cat’s food and water. It is also advisable to keep the litter box area ventilated to control odor. Your cat will be more comfortable and you will too.
A cat generally spends quite a bit of time grooming itself. When the cat’s hair is longer, this could lead to hairballs. There are special foods that can ease this issue. Some food are produced specifically for hairball reduction, which will help.
Are you the owner of a dog and a cat? A dog will take any opportunity they have to eat your cats food. Because of this, you should keep your cat’s food in a high spot that your dog won’t be able to reach. The added benefit is that you will prevent fights over the other animals food and water when one of them runs out.
There is no need to spend hours trying to litter train your cat. This should come naturally for your cat. You cannot teach it to do this. While many pet owners try to introduce their cats to a litter box by rubbing their front paws in the sand, this can sometimes traumatize your furry friend.
Make sure to give your cats different types of food so that they aren’t as finicky. When you give the same thing day after day, it becomes boring.
Feed canned food to your cat. It is usually more expensive than dry food, but it is more beneficial. Your cat will get extra protein and fats from canned food along with some of the water it needs every day. As a cat ages, it has a harder time chewing. You should listen to what your vet recommends, though.
Keep a breakaway collar and tag on your cat. This applies even to indoor cats. An adventurous cat can easily slip through an open door or window. Tags with your veterinarian’s info and your contact number should be worn. This is especially true for cats with medical conditions.
When you bring a second cat into your home, allow a few weeks for the two to adjust to each other. They will probably hide from each other, hiss or even attack each other. However, if you allow them to slowly get used to each other, they will eventually become friends.
Is cat hair getting into everything you own? Cats can shed quite a bit; therefore, it’s important that you maintain proper grooming habits by brushing them often. If your cat sheds a lot, you probably need to brush it more often. This keeps the coat from matting, too.
Put a collar your cat with your contact information on it. This should be done even with an indoors cat. The animal could get out. Do everything possible to make sure your cat is returned safely to you in the event it gets out.
Chemicals that have phenol in the should not be used around a cat. This type of chemical can be found in Pine-Sol, Lysol, and other types of cleaners. The smell offends cats, and it can lead to prolonged illnesses.
Don’t ever declaw cats that go outdoors. The cat will have difficulty playing with other animals and may get hurt. Declaw your cat if you plan on always having it inside. Make sure that only the front claws are removed. Leaving the back claws are important so that your cat can scratch themselves.
Keep your cat on a diet of dry food if at all possible. Kittens need the wet food, however, due to their small teeth. As they get older and get adult teeth, they will have stronger teeth by eating dry food. If your kitty is especially finicky, you can try feeding him a mix of dry and wet food.
Try using sticky tape if you own a cat. Cats naturally like to claw things and often your furniture is what they use. The tape will help prevent this. Some stores for pets have special tape for this situation. Using this tape, along with a scratching post is a great way to keep your cat from scratching up your furniture.
Cats are a great way to get rid of rodents, and they also make excellent pets. There is no doubt that a cat has wonderful hunting skills, and can be a lot more agile than their canine friends. With such wonderful qualities, it’s no wonder cats are very popular.