Frugal Solutions For Providing Food For Your Cat

TIP! Check with your shelter before you purchase a cat. Shelters are filled with beautiful cats, and the fee for adoption will basically cover the needed vet care.

When it comes to choosing the perfect pet, cats are the go-to choice for millions of households. They are very amusing and can protect the house from small pests as well. Cats are often the unsung heroes of the home and prevent many critters from breaching the perimeter.

TIP! In order to be sure your cat is healthy, take them to their vet regularly. Your cat needs to get a checkup about once every year, or more if there are issues that come up.

Keep drape cords away from cats. It is easy for the cat to get his head caught among the cords when playing with them. They could be seriously hurt or even killed. Therefore, ensure that drape cords are pinned away from your cat’s reach.

TIP! A lot of cat owners have a hard time keeping their cats off the counter. Cats enjoy heights, as they can monitor events from their perch.

You can make your old cat feel better thanks to a hot tile placed under its bed. Just heat a one-foot square terra cotta tile in your oven at about 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Use an old towel to wrap it up safely before placing it beneath your cat’s favorite napping spot. If necessary, you can change out the tile after a few hours to provide continued warmth.

TIP! Do not isolate the litter box in a distant place. Do not place it in a busy area or close to where your cat eats meals.

Part of caring for your cat is taking it to regular veterinarian checkups. Your cat should always go to the vet for a check up, especially if they need shots. Make vet appointments immediately if your cat has a medical condition or has become injured.

TIP! Set boundaries for your children when it comes to having a cat as a pet. Explain where the cat is and isn’t allowed.

Cats are generally nocturnal. Do not be surprised if your cat is very active at night. If you find that your nocturnal kitties are waking you up in the middle of the night, the solution may be as simple as closing the door to your bedroom. This can keep them from waking you up at night and from pouncing on feet under the blankets.

TIP! Reconsider outside time for your cat. This could be harmful and unsafe.

Male cats can develop crystals that form in their urine, so prevent this with the right food. A cat passing the crystals can be very hurtful with an expensive vet bill to boot. Feed cats food that’s low in magnesium. Just as in the grocery store, take the time to read the labels. Foods that contain fish usually have more magnesium.

TIP! If your cat dirties the space near his litter box, don’t punish them. Many times this occurs because the box wasn’t well maintained.

Cats love high spots. Allow them the space they need to feel safe while checking their world out. If a cat tree is not in your future, providing a stable shelving unit with no small items on it will do very well. Make it extra comfortable by adding a blanket or cushion.

TIP! Don’t throw away your cat’s old scratching post. Cats prefer used scratching posts.

Discuss any issues you have with your pet with others. You may wish to deal with it alone, but you may need advice from other cat owners. There are many online cat forums that will help you get questions answered. You could also try asking your vet.

TIP! Expect it to take several weeks for your current cat to accept a new cat in the home. They may still hiss and growl when they are in the same room together.

If your cat begins defecating or urinating too frequently, it’s time to see the vet. A change in where or how a cat urinates can signal a UTI or other health problem. A quick course of antibiotics can head off dangerous complications if you get your cat diagnosed and treated early enough.

Litter Box

TIP! Make sure you consider where you are going to place the cat’s litter box. Many people want it in an out of the way spot.

You need to carefully consider where you put the litter box for your cat. Your first instinct may be to hide it away out of sight and out of smelling range. However, it is important to keep their litter box in an area they can easily get to. Your cat will use the litter box if it is placed in a quiet place and away from smells your cat does not enjoy. If you keep the litter box on a cold cement floor, put a mat or rug down underneath it.

TIP! If your cat is pregnant, make sure she has plenty of room to give birth. It can take several hours for the process to unfold and all kittens to be born, so be prepared to spend some time with your cat.

By getting your cat the shots and check-ups that it needs, you’ll be able to make sure that your cat lives as long as possible. Cats need regular checkups, just like humans. Your cat is a family member and ought to be treated as such.

TIP! If you notice your cat is not using the litter box, try moving it to a new location. A cat will be more inclined to use the litter box if it is placed in a quiet and safe area in your home.

If your cat’s about to have kittens, create a spacious area in which she can do so. You need to be patient, as it will be three or four hours before all the kittens have been born. If, after six hours, you think there are still kittens stuck inside your pet, a trip to the vet is in order.

TIP! Some foods are not permissible to serve to your cat. These can include chocolate, grapes, onions and tomatoes.

When a dog wags it’s tail, it’s telling you that it is excited or happy. A cat wagging its tail can have a very different meaning. Tail wagging in a cat usually indicates a mental conflict that your cat is mulling over, such as deciding whether to flee or attack. If you’re snuggling your kitty and you see its tail wag, it’s a sign you should put it down before you get scratched.

TIP! Phenol is a dangerous chemical to use around your cat. Lysol and Pine-Sol are two examples of products that contain this chemical.

Don’t give a cat human medications. If your cat needs medication, then you should take your cat to the vet. If you give a pet something that it shouldn’t take, you could injure it or even kill it.

TIP! If you can, keep your cat inside and close to you. It is shown that cats trained inside that then spend the majority of their lives inside tend to live longer than cats free to roam the neighborhood.

While a big dog might look like a better hunter than a small cat, it won’t track pests the way a cat will. Cats are natural hunters and they do not lose that instinct when they are pets. Use the tips above to care for your hunter pet.