Cats are a lot of fun to have around, but they are often quite finicky! With so many needs ranging from vet visit to nail clipping, they require you to know a lot of things. This article can teach you all about basic cat needs.
Make sure you keep all the recommended appointments with your cat’s veterinarian. Cats need special shots to keep them from getting sick, and the veterinarian will check your cats overall health. When you find a vet you like, stick with them. This will ensure they know the history of your cat well.
Small places are spots cats love to get into. If your cat is such a curious one, wearing a collar is a safety risk, as your feline might get stuck because of it while exploring. A breakaway style collar will literally “break away” if pulled too tight. It can really be a life saver for your cat.
Never use a product on your cat that is intended for dogs. Cats have very strong, negative reactions to products formulated for dogs. This happens a lot with flea products. Flea treatments made for a dog can be fatal to a cat. If you treat your dog for fleas, make sure you keep the cat away for several hours following the application.
Cat claws are one of the worst enemies of your home and furniture. 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. Teach your cat to scratch this instead of the legs of a couch or sofa. This approach takes time, but it usually works.
Try to avoid your cat from becoming bored each day. Play and exercise are both important for cats’ well-being. Unfortunately, many owners do not realize this important part of ownership. Boredom can beget illness. Give them time and space where they can exercise and toys they can play with. Be sure your cat has something they can climb and something they can scratch if they stay inside.
Your cat can take lots of time to groom themselves to what they consider “perfect.” If the cats hair is too long, this is what causes hairballs. To fix this problem, you can try buying a new food. Some foods contain extra oils and nutrients, specifically designed to prevent or diminish hairball concerns.
It’s often cheaper to buy medicine for your cat on the Internet instead of through your vet. In emergency situations, buying online may not be a good option. If you regularly need to buy pet medication, you can get a savings of up to 50 percent online.
Put a cloth down in your cat’s eating area. Some cats prefer to remove their food from the dish and eat it off to the side. This can really make a mess, and you might have to spend significant time cleaning around your cat’s food bowl. To make clean up a breeze, use a place mat underneath the bowl or a piece of fabric. You’ll be able to pick it up easily and shake the excess food into the trash.
Think hard before allowing your cat outside. It might not be safe for your cat to go outdoors. Fleas can infest your cat, or something worse can happen. Cats can be harmed by cars, people and 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.
You cat needs to get used to being in a carrier. Cats do not respond in the same way dogs do to punishment. Encouragement is a better way to get your cats to perform. Place a loved blanket and favorite toy into a carrier and then leave the door open. Make sure it’s in an area that the cat frequents. Cats are natural explorers and sooner or later he will check it out. Once this is achieved, you can transport your cat inside the carrier much easier.
You may want to try different types of cat food. Cats can easily become finicky eaters. By giving them one kind of food all the time, it will be all they want to eat.
Canned food is usually the best option for your cat. Although it is usually more expensive, canned food offers real nutritional advantages. That’s because this type of food provides your cat with more protein, good fat and water. Older cats find it easier to eat, too. Go ahead and talk to your vet, but canned food is favorable for cats.
When your cat starts urinating often or in odd places, it may be time to see the vet. Cats may show this behavior if they develop an infection of the urinary tract, or some other health issue. In many cases, cheap antibiotics will resolve the problem and keep your cat healthy.
Place a collar on your cat that has your name, phone number and address. Even if you have a house cat, there is a chance that he or she may get out. When your cat gets outside unexpectedly, it’s your responsibility to enable others to help your cat find their way home again.
Your cat will thank you if you avoid phenol in your cleaning products. This chemical is often in Lysol and certain other regular household cleaners. The smell offends them and being exposed to it for several hours can cause liver problems.
Taking care of cats may seem simple at first, and if you’re lucky enough to get one that doesn’t present any issues they are, but most require a lot of attention, TLC and a few vet check-ups. Use what you learned here to be the best you can be. The time that you spent reading this article will be worth it.
