Everyone knows that cats make great pets. However, not everyone understands what it takes to properly care for your cat. While they are famous for being independent, there is still a lot of work to be done on the owners part. The article below will illustrate what every cat owner needs to know.
Look a local animal shelters for cats. Shelters are filled with beautiful cats, and the fee for adoption will basically cover the needed vet care. Rescuing a cat can end up making a big difference in both of your lives.
If you have outdoor cats, be sure to discourage pests such as coyotes, possums and raccoons by bringing cat food indoors at night. Feed your cats first thing in the morning, and make sure there is no food left at nightfall. This will keep your cats safe from attack and illness.
Cats love to play so make sure that you provide them with lots of toys. Cats enjoy batting around a fake mouse or little ball around the room. Some cats even develop a favorite toy. Playing with your cat is not only fun, it helps them to get exercise too.
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.
Be careful when treating your cat for fleas. Be sure to consult with your vet before using natural alternatives to control your cat’s fleas. Cats are very sensitive to essential oils and many herbs. Your vet will probably recommend you use a prescription flea treatment, which is usually best for cats.
Make sure your cat sees a vet regularly to maintain their good health. Your cat should have a health check yearly, but should go in more if your cat needs shots. Cats must see their vet right away if they start having health issues, injuries or other problems.
Keep your cat amused. Just like dogs, cats need playtime and physical exercise, too. The unfortunate thing is that many owners of cats don’t realize this. Bored cats will quickly wreck your home or become obese. Provide your cats with the toys and space it needs. A scratching post is a valuable toy to put in your home.
Do not feed your cat any kind of human food that contains bones in it. If you are giving your cat chicken or fish, be sure to remove the bones beforehand to prevent a choking hazard. Chop the food that you serve into small bits to make it easier to digest for your cat.
Cats are generally nocturnal. Because of this, night time is when they are most active. If your cat’s activities are keeping you awake at night, try keeping your bedroom door shut. This will ensure you sleep much better, without cats jumping into bed with you.
Do not try to hold a cat when they are clearly trying to get away. This will not make the cat feel any closer to you and it may prompt them to start avoiding you in the future. Pick the cat up gently and lay him across your lap. If you feel him wiggling to get away, let him go.
To make sure your kitten is properly socialized to humans, begin early in his life, about ten to twelve weeks of age. Be sure that he is handled and petted by humans in his family and by others as well. When he is older, he will be a calmer, friendlier cat.
Take time to train your cat to go into a car carrier. You cannot train a cat the same way you train a dog because they react differently to punishment. Cats learn well when they feel encouraged. Give your cat a treat every time it does something well. The cat will eventually get into it and feel comfy. In the future, your cat will not get scared when you put him in the carrier.
If your cat bothers your Christmas tree or other plants, try beating him at his own game. Make his favorite chewing and climbing areas unattractive to him by placing the peelings of oranges, lemons or grapefruit around the places you wish for him to avoid. Cats hate citrus, and this is a natural way to keep them from getting into trouble.
It may be time to take your cat to see the vet if it begins urinating more frequently and in places besides its litter box. Many cats develop these behaviors in response to a health problem, such as urinary tract infections. You can solve this problem thanks to some very affordable antibiotics.
While cats can be finicky, you should not encourage this behavior. A cat will eat the exact same cat food their whole life if it is tasty and nutritious. You do not need to mix up the flavors. Doing this can encourage the cat to skip certain foods they previously ate and wait for another.
If you notice that your cat has stopped using its litter box, you’ll want to contact your vet. Some feline health problems may cause your cat to refuse to use their litter box. Some common issues are bladder and kidney problems. If this happens, you are advised to take your cat to the vet.
Cats are some of the most lovable and comforting pets a person can own. However, there is a great deal of responsibility that comes with being a cat owner. Be sure and use the advice mentioned in the article above so that your cat can live a long and healthy life.
