A genuine care for your new cat and good intentions are very important, but not always enough in when in the moment. Accidents may occur where you don’t have the right equipment, another animal takes their food, or you were prepared with the wrong information. Great advice that teaches you how to prepare and react during situations like these is always welcomed.
To help prevent tapeworm infestation in cats, feed a small amount of food grade diatomaceous earth for two weeks out of each month. About a quarter of a teaspoon per cat per day is adequate. Food grade diatomaceous earth kills internal parasites and causes them to be expelled from the system.
Keep your cat occupied by making your own dangly toys. Using soft cotton rope, cut a length of about two feet. Tie a knot at one end. Tie another knot about three inches from the opposite end. Unravel the rope below this knot. Attach the rope to the back of a kitchen chair for your cat to play.
Keep your older cat comfortable by placing a heated tile underneath its bed. Simply heat a terra-cotta tile in a 200 degree oven for 20 minutes. Put the tile inside a towel and place it under the cat’s bedding. Replace it every three hours or so.
Is your cat constantly munching on your house plants? If so there is a fix for this. Growing oat grass or catnip yourself can help entice your cats away from your plants. Giving them plants that they can eat and like will help draw them to those plants over and over again.
Cats like to chase birds and catch them. This helps cats to build and deliver crucial hunting skills. But what if you have an indoor cat? You can find cat toys at the pet store that will help you simulate a bird flying around. Your cat will love it, and love you for it.
Do you own both a dog and a cat? Dogs will generally try to eat the cat’s food whenever the opportunity comes along. You should keep your cat food away from the dog. Doing this will also help you avoid fights over the water bowl.
If your cat has to have a surgery such as being spayed or neutered, they will need rest when they come home. It is hard to keep a cat from jumping up on furniture, but necessary to avoid pulling out stitches. Designate an area in your house for your cat to recuperate where they will be less likely to injure themselves, until they are healed enough to roam free.
You may find it is helpful to talk to others about challenges you have with your cat. Although you may feel like you don’t need help, other owners may be able to give you good advice. There are a number of message boards for cat owners on the Internet, or you can go to your vet with problems.
If your cat relieves itself somewhere other than its litter box, it shouldn’t be punished. Many times, this is caused by failure to properly clean or place the litter box. Punishments given to the cat will just make him or her less willing to be around its owner going forward.
You cat needs to get used to being in a carrier. While punishment is a good strategy to train dogs, it is not adapted to cats. Cats usually respond well to encouragement. Put a favorite blanket and toy in the carrier and leave it open somewhere the cat frequents. Your cat will start to venture into their carrier more often, until they are completely comfortable with it. Once this is achieved, you can transport your cat inside the carrier much easier.
Understand that your cat is easily influenced by its surroundings. Cats have superior memories and will usually retain training for a lifetime. Conversely, they also retain frightening experiences and it takes them a long time to get over their fears. Be encouraging with your cat and avoid situations that scare them.
Feed your cat top quality food. Look at ingredient lists, making sure that a protein source, such as beef, chicken or fish, is at the top of the list. The foods to avoid are those with a large amount of corn and low amounts of protein. Cats are carnivores, so if you want them to be as healthy as possible, you need to be sure they’re eating enough animal protein.
If your cat has bad breath, a trip to the vet is in order. Bad breath in cats can be a red flag for tooth decay or more serious conditions. These include diabetes, stomach problems and lung disorders. So, if your cat’s breath smells worse than the food he eats, get to the bottom of the issue before it gets out of control.
There are lots of cats out there that do not have homes. Consider adopting one from your local pet agency before heading to the pet store. They usually provide the cat with all of the necessary shots before you adopt them. The cats are also spayed or neutered to prevent pet overpopulation.
If your cat is nursing a litter of kittens, it is vital that she have plenty of food and water near her nesting area. Mother cats are very protective, and do not want to leave their kittens for long lengths of time. Your cat can become dehydrated or malnourished just because she does not want to leave her kittens to eat and drink.
You now have a few more obstacles that you can confidently prevent by applying the advice you read above. Similar scenarios are likely to come up before long and your relationship with your cat may benefit from them. Handle each problem just like the tips suggested and watch where the band goes.
