Cats need to eat right and exercise, just like you. Without the right nutrition, cats can get sick. You will learn a lot about caring for your feline friend if you read this article.
Make sure your cat is always well groomed. You should comb and/or brush them on a regular basis. Do this often in order to aid in keeping your cat’s outer coat clean and healthy. It can cut down on shedding and spitting up hairballs, too. Cat grooming will not only keep kitty looking great, but it will also help to reduce the effort spent picking up cat hair around the home.
If your kitty is a female, make sure to plan a spaying once she is of age to breed. Even if she is an inside cat, you need to spay her because she could get out. A spayed cat is a safe cat.
Part of caring for your cat is taking it to regular veterinarian checkups. A yearly visit for a regular check-up is important, with more frequent visits for shots as required. When the cat seems to be acting abnormally, take it to the vet immediately.
It can be tricky to keep a cat off the kitchen counters. Cats enjoy going into high places so that they can see what’s going on around the house. You may be able to battle this issue by giving your cat a high place to chill. Putting a cat tower in or near the kitchen can help keep the cats from laying on the counter.
You can also consider outfitting your cat with a chip so you can monitor its whereabouts. You never know when your cat could get away from you. Although collars and tags are beneficial, some cats may even wiggle out of them. A microchip about as big as a grain of rice and holds all the contact information your cat needs. Nearly every vet and shelter owns a scanner which can read a microchip, and since they’re implanted, there isn’t a risk of the chip falling out or getting lost.
If you take your cat with you when you travel, be mindful of their ears. While you may like some good tunes, your cat is going to appreciate other things. Therefore, try lowering your music or turning it off in order for your cat to enjoy the trip more.
Think over whether or not you should let your cat go outdoors. Letting your cat outside greatly increases his risk level. Your cat could get fleas or even worse parasites. It can also be potentially hurt by cars, people or other animals. If you think your pet needs to go outside, think about enclosing a back patio with metal mesh or some type of heavy screen to keep your cat inside, yet allow them to experience the outdoors.
Make sure to give your cats different types of food so that they aren’t as finicky. If you feed your cat the same food all the time, your cat will likely be uninterested any any other brand or flavor.
Invest in a cat friendly fountain. Cats like running water in the wild, as well as in the home. The drinking fountain will look more inviting than a water bowl. In fact, many cats like drinking from faucets more than from their water bowls. A fountain will allow your cat to drink like he or she is in the wild.
Make canned food the mainstay of your cat’s diet. Although it is usually more expensive, canned food offers real nutritional advantages. There is more water, more fat and more protein in it. It’s easier for older cats to chew as well. Speak with your vet to determine the proper course of action to take.
Litter Box
Be aware of your cat stopping their litter box usage. When cats are suffering from something, they may end up going to the restroom randomly outside of their box. A bladder infection is often at the root of the problem. If your cat stops going in the litter box, a call to the vet is in order.
Relocating the litter box can often help curb a problem with cats that refuse to use it. Instinctively, cat’s will search out a safe place to eliminate, so try relocating the litter box to a quiet and secluded area. Try placing it in a laundry room or a basement, where there is limited traffic in the home.
When dogs are excited their tails wag from side to side. Cats wag their tail for a different reason. Tail-wagging in cats may indicate conflict. 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.
If your cat has been declawed, outdoors should be off-limits. It can’t defend itself with no claws. Declaw your cat if you plan on always having it inside. Make sure that only the front claws are removed. Allow your cat to retain their back claws which are less damaging to indoor surfaces.
If hairballs are a problem that brushing won’t solve, there are some other things you can try. Give your cat’s regular food an addition of pumpkin (about a teaspoon’s worth). You can mix the pumpkin with a bit of water from a can of tuna. Many cat foods have extra fiber or other items that solve this issue.
Your cat’s diet is very important to the overall state of his health. There are many things you need to know to have a healthy cat. Do your cat right, and feed him or her the best food you can afford.
