Fun, furry, and finicky: three words that perfectly describe cats. From specific dietary needs, to grooming needs and behavioral challenges, you must consider many different concerns when you have a cat. This article provides some great advice on a vast array of topics to help you deal with your new furry friend.
Your cat will want to climb into small spaces. A collar can become a liability if your cat is especially adventurous. A breakaway collar is a good option since it will break if your cat pulls on it. Purchasing one could be the difference between whether your cat lives or dies when he gets stuck.
If your cat is a female, it needs to be spayed when it reaches the appropriate age. While your cat may be an indoor one, there is always the possibility it can get out and you wind up with kittens one day. Having your cat spayed helps to control the pet population and will save you time and trouble.
Dog Products
It is not safe to use dog products for your feline friend. They can have very strong and possibly negative reactions to dog products. Flea products can be especially harmful. Your cat can die when exposed to flea prevention items made for dogs. Your cat needs to be away from the dog after your dog has received a flea treatment.
Use bitter apple on your electric cords to keep your kitty away from them. If they like to chew on cords, try covering them as much as you can. An inexpensive way to hide electrical cords is to thread them through used paper towel rolls. If you have electrical cords laying out that are not being used, put them away as cats can play with them and then move on to live electrical cords.
Do not allow your cat to stay bored all of the time. Play and exercise are both important for cats’ well-being. Sometimes, cat owners don’t realize this. Bored cats are more prone to depression, obsessive compulsive disorders, as well as many other behavioral issues. Provide them with space to exercise and lots of toys to play with. A scratching post is a valuable toy to put in your home.
Cats are generally nocturnal. This means that they will be the most active at night time. If your cats keep you up late at night, you should close the bedroom door. This will stop them from bothering you at night, and playing with your feet beneath the covers.
When your cat is riding with you in your car, ensure you keep their ears in mind. You might love blasting your favorite music while driving, but they enjoy softer sounds. Therefore, the volume of your music should be minimized, and turn it off completely if necessary.
Be very careful about allowing children to be alone with a kitten. If a child is under the age of five, you should not leave the pet alone with them. They don’t know what harm they can do. When children get a little older, they develop the skills needed to be around small animals.
Cats like to be high up to see the surrounding area. To make your cat happier, give him a lookout perch where he can check out the area. You can give your cat on a shelf to accomplish this. The cat will especially enjoy it if you put a blanket on top.
Speak with friends and family when you have difficulty with your cat. You can often get great advice from friends and family. Your vet is a great source of advice, or you can find forums on the Internet to connect with other cat owners.
Don’t toss your cat’s scratching post just because it’s starting to look haggard. It’s in this condition that cats tend to love it the most. By removing the old item and replacing it with a new one, your cat may try to find another item to scratch. This could end up being furniture.
Make sure your cat has identification and a collar all the time. This is necessary even for an indoors pet. Your cat will go out as soon as you leave a door or a window open. The tag should have your phone number on it. Veterinary information is essential if your cat needs medication.
Litter Box
If your cat stops using the litter box suddenly, take note. When cats are suffering from something, they may end up going to the restroom randomly outside of their box. A potential bladder or kidney infection may be the reason for this. If your pet stops using the litter box then see your veterinarian.
Any chemicals that have phenol should be kept away from your cat. This type of chemical can be found in Pine-Sol, Lysol, and other types of cleaners. The smell is offensive to cats, and prolonged exposure can lead to liver problems.
While you may be fortunate enough to own a cat that does not require a great deal of care, many cats are a bit more finicky. Take what you have learned here and apply it to being a successful and happy pet owner. The effort expended will be well worth it, and will be rewarded in many ways.
