Cats are wonderful pets, if you understand how to take care of them. If you own a cat, you need to educate yourself about tips and information to make sure your cat lives happily. Read these tips to be the best cat owner you can be.
Make sure your cat is regularly visiting the vet for checkups. Not only will a veterinarian give a general physical exam, he or she will also make sure they have necessary vaccinations. Try using the same vet during your cat’s life. That way, the doctor will be familiar with the history of your cat.
Cats are curious by nature, which can end up getting them into trouble. Collars can be a safety risk if your kitty gets stuck. A breakaway collar has the ability to release its hold if the cat pulls tightly on it. This can make the difference in whether your cat have nine lives or only a couple of them.
Spay your female cat. Whether or not she typically goes outside, she may escape while in heat and you might have kittens! Having your cat spayed helps to control the pet population and will save you time and trouble.
A cat’s claws can cause lots of damage to your home. If you are having problems with your cat clawing up furniture, then purchase a scratching post or kitty tower. They can scratch this instead. It may take some time and some corrections, but it can usually eliminate the problem.
Microchip your cat. Even cats who live completely indoors may someday decide to bolt out the door or escape out of a window. Tags and collars may be able to help you get your cat back, but cats can sometimes take these things off or they could get hung up on a tree or something. You can use a microchip instead; you can store your contact information in the chip and it will not bother your cat. Scanners to read pet microchips are available in every town and they will not come out from under the skin.
A proper diet for male cats will help prevent kidney problems that cause them to pass crystals with their urine. Your cat will experience considerable pain when he has to pass these crystals, and it’s not an easy (or cheap) problem for your veterinarian to fix. Choose a cat food low in magnesium. Be sure to read the ingredient label. Poultry-based foods are generally lower in magnesium than fish.
If you’re thinking about raising an outdoor cat, you should strongly reconsider. The outside world is very dangerous for cats. There is a chance your cat can contract fleas or perhaps something much worse. There’s the chance that your pet could be harmed by other animals or passing vehicles. If you still insist your cat be able to go outside, then do so in the fenced backyard.
Do you own a dog and a cat? A dog may enjoy eating your cat’s food when he has the chance to do so. This is why it is necessary to have two separate feeding areas. This will prevent the two from fighting over the water when the food dishes are empty.
Seek Advice
If you are experiencing an issue with your feline friend, seek advice from others. Although you may want to go it alone, it can be helpful to seek advice from other people that have experience owning cats. There are many online cat forums that you can visit and ask some questions. If necessary, you may need to call your veterinarian.
Mix up the food you feed your cat to avoid them becoming a picky eater. If you feed your cat the same food all the time, your cat will likely be uninterested any any other brand or flavor.
Don’t throw away your cat’s old scratching post. Cats prefer used scratching posts. There is a good chance if you got rid of it and bought a new one that your cat would start scratching up your furniture.
If a cat urinates often or in odd places, it should probably go see the vet. Sometimes, abnormal urination habits indicate an infection of the urinary tract. Often this problem is quickly and inexpensively cured with a common antibiotic.
Litter Box
Place the litter box for your cat in an open area. Your first instinct may be to hide it away out of sight and out of smelling range. However, the litter box must be kept in a location that is easily accessible for your pet. It helps to make life easy for the cat, as they can be quite picky about things. Instead of just keeping the box on cold cement, add a rug or mat beneath it.
When properly cared for, cats are wonderful pets. Read this article as many times as needed. With the love and care that you provide it, you will make sure that your cat has a happy and healthy life.