Cats can be the best pets as long as you do everything they want you to do! Education on the best way to care for a cat is the most important step in cat ownership. Keep reading for some great tips every cat owner should know about.
Take your cat in for regular vet exams. Cats need vaccinations to keep them healthy, and your vet can keep an eye out for any other health issues. Try keeping the same vet throughout your cat’s life. They will understand your cat and its issues better this way.
Cats can use their claws to destroy furniture and other parts of the house. If you want to prevent or stop your cat from scratching up your furniture, the best thing to do is buy a scratching post or kitty tower for them to climb in. Place this device into an area that your cat frequents, and attempt to get your cat to scratch it rather than the furniture. This solution might take time to take, but it will help in the end.
Think about getting a microchip for your feline friend. Even indoor cats can decide to run away at a moment’s notice, escaping through an open window. Tags and collars may be able to help you get your cat back, but cats can sometimes take these things off or they could get hung up on a tree or something. Microchips are extremely small, but they can hold all the same information as an identification tag. Almost every vet and shelter has a scanner these days, and they can retrieve your contact information should they find your pet.
Most cats are nocturnal. Your cat will probably be very active during the night. Try closing the door if your cats are keeping you awake at night. This will keep them from pouncing on you and trying to play in the middle of the night.
Litter Box
Pick a good spot for the cat’s litter box. The litter box should not be kept in an area with a lot of traffic. In addition, it does not need to be near the cat’s food. Additionally, don’t make the mistake of putting it in a poorly-ventilated area, or the smell will become overpowering. Your cat will be more comfortable and you will too.
When traveling on the road with your cat, understand that they are sensitive to sounds. They don’t want to hear you singing at the top of your lungs. Therefore, try lowering your music or turning it off in order for your cat to enjoy the trip more.
Sometimes children get too excited when playing with a new cat and may mishandle them. It is important that you teach children how to properly interact with a new cat. The objective is to be as gentle as possible with your cat. Cats’ bones are more fragile than those of dogs, so they need gentler treatment.
If you’re getting a kitten for your children, discuss this with them before bringing the cat home. Make sure that you let your kids know which areas of the house the cat will be allowed in. Advise your children not to let the cat out if it is to be an indoor cat. You need to establish some clear rules for your pet and ask everyone to follow them.
Try not to let your cat go outside. Being outside all the time is not safe for a cat. Your cat may pick up some fleas, or worse. Cars, people, or animals could hurt your beloved pet. When your cats go outside, keep an eye out to make sure they do not wander too far away.
Cats like to be high up to see the surrounding area. For a happy cat, make sure you establish a safe environment for them to scan their surroundings. If a cat tree is not in your future, providing a stable shelving unit with no small items on it will do very well. Install a small bed for your cat or a comfortable blanket.
If your cat relieves itself away from its litter box, do not spring into action with punishment. Most of the time when this happens, it is because you are not taking proper care of the box. Punishments given to the cat will just make him or her less willing to be around its owner going forward.
While a torn up scratching post might look unattractive, do not get rid of it. While it doesn’t appear clean and new, your cat probably thinks otherwise. For a cat, it is comfortable and familiar. Even if you throw it away and buy a new one, your cat may opt for tearing up your upholstery instead.
Cats can be wonderful animals to keep as pets, but you need to properly care for them. Use what you learned here for a happy and healthy cat. With the proper care and love, your cat will live a long, healthy life.
