It is important to take good care of your cat. Cats aren’t the same as other pets so they need to be taken care of differently. It takes a little more time and energy to get the look that you want. Read on for useful tips for cat care.
Choose a high quality food. The key to a healthy cat starts with nutrition. Take a look at the ingredients label. If you look at most “popular” commercial cat foods, you may be surprised to see the top ingredient listed is corn. Cats are carnivores, so look for a food with a real meat as the top ingredient. You may pay more up front, but these foods are often more nutritionally dense, meaning your cat eats less and the bag lasts longer.
Cats are constantly grooming themselves, and this is why they rarely need a bath. If your cat gets into something particularly stinky, a bath will not hurt them. If your cat does not like water you might want to wear gloves so that you do not get scratched. You might also want to enlist the help of a friend or family member.
Who says only dogs can do tricks? Cats are very intelligent and have the ability to learn as well, especially as young kittens. Some people train their cats to play fetch just like dogs do. There are even people who have successfully trained their cat to use a regular toilet, instead of a litter box.
Is there a dog in your home, as well as a cat? A dog will probably end up eating the cat’s food if it gets the chance. This makes it a good idea to have a cat feeding place high up enough that your dog can’t get to it. Doing this will also help you avoid fights over the water bowl.
When you are washing a cat litter box, it is a good idea to use basic soap and water. You may think that it would be more sanitary to use a harsh cleaner like bleach or ammonia, but all that will do is create a smell that the cat will find offensive.
When you bring home a new cat for the first time, the experience can be overwhelming for both of you. Instead of granting access to your entire home, introduce your pet to its new environment one room at a time. For example, you might place your cat’s carrier in your study or den. As long as the carrier door is open, you should be in the room with the animal.
If you live in an area that is populated by wild animals, such as coyote and fox, you may need to make you cat an indoor cat. Wild animals pose a real threat to cats, and to avoid the loss of a beloved pet, it is sometimes best to keep them indoors for the course of their lives.
Entertain your cat with simple “toys” made from household objects. Many cats enjoy exploring boxes, such as those that hold 12-packs, small appliances, or other products. Before allowing your pet to play with a box, you should be sure that the animal cannot get stuck in small openings or tight spaces. This would be dangerous and very frightening to your pet!
Every cat loves to have lots of play time. Of course, all mammals like to play, regardless of age or species. Even older cats like to play. Take time to have fun with your cat.
Think about how much extra care is entailed in bringing a long-haired cat into your home. Long-haired cats are beautiful animals, but keep in mind that they will shed everywhere in your home. These breeds are best left to those with the time and energy to do a lot of cleaning. Be prepared to deal with hairballs, which are a problem for long-haired cats.
There is no need to bathe a cat since they are able to do most of their cleaning by themselves. The only way that you should bathe a cat is if there is something on their coat that has not come off for a good length of time, like oil and chemicals.
Never assume that a fence will keep your cat from leaving your yard. Unless the fence is specially designed to keep cats from escaping, it’s safe to say that your cat will find a way out. Also, remember that your fence must be able to keep other animals from entering your backyard and harming your pet.
You can use certain scents to discourage your cat from going into certain areas of your home. Aloe gel, citrus peels, and citrus juices smell wonderful to us, but cats don’t feel the same way. Soak a cotton ball in one of these liquids, then place it on top of a piece of foil to prevent the liquid from staining your surface. Place the foil and cotton ball near the off-limits area.
You do not have to spend a bunch of cash on fancy toys for your cat to play with. Simple things like feathers and string are great for them to play with, and they are very economical. While you can still buy fancy toys if you like, you may get more benefit from them than your cat does.
Think twice before feeding a cat table scraps in place of treats. Human food is just that, meant for humans. It contains ingredients that aren’t meant for cats. A great treat for your cat is a little bit of egg or cooked beef or chicken. If you go by the feeding instructions that are on your cat’s food based on their weight and age, then they have a complete diet.
Providing your cat with good grooming will make it shine. Remember that grooming is essential in order to keep your cat healthy – and happy, too! Any love and care you give your cat is appreciated by them. Use this article to help take care of your cat efficiently.
