Cats are curious by nature. They might appear to be independent, but they really do enjoy your company. Cats may be confusing, but having them purring on your lap is priceless. Check out these tips to help you better understand and help your furry little friend.
Make frequent checkups with your vet to keep your cat healthy. Your cat should receive shots regularly to prevent health issues. Try using one veterinarian consistently. This person will be more knowledgeable on your cat’s history.
Cats like sneaking into small spaces. Collars can be a safety risk if your kitty gets stuck. A breakaway style collar will literally “break away” if pulled too tight. This kind of collar can turn a potentially-dangerous situation into a merely exasperating one.
Be cautious about using canine products on your feline friend. Cats are not the same as dogs, and products meant for dogs can make cats very ill. This is particularly true when it comes to flea treatments. These dog flea products can even cause feline death. Make sure to separate your cat from your dog after spraying.
The correct location is important when picking a spot for a cat’s litter box. The box should be out of the high traffic areas and a good distance from where your cat eats. To prevent a strong stench, be sure this space is well-ventilated. Your cat will be more comfortable and you will too.
Chances are, your feline spends many hours grooming himself. If the cats hair is too long, this is what causes hairballs. If you’ve got a cat with this issue, get it special types of food. Certain cat foods are made just for decreasing hairballs, benefiting both your cat and yourself.
Check prices online for your cat’s medication to see if they are cheaper than at your vet’s office. In an emergency, however, this might not be possible. It is possible to save up to 50% on certain medications by purchasing them online.
If you get a small kitten for your children, make sure they understand the rules ahead of time. Make sure your kids know where the cat can be. If you’re planning to have an indoor cat, explain to your children that the cat is not allowed to be outside. Creating rules and boundaries will help the children learn what is allowed.
Try to figure out why your cat meows. After you have lived with your cat for a while, you will come to know what she wants by her meow. A meow could signal anything from hunger to a desire for affection. Watch their cues to learn more about them.
Use a brush on your cat regularly. This can help spread their fur’s natural oils around and stimulate blood flow to their skin. Additionally, brushing helps to expedite hair shedding. This avoids the hairball problem, which may lead to choking and a buildup of hair in the stomach.
Litter Box
Never punish the cat if he or she causes a mess outside the litter box. When this occurs, it is probably just a sign that the litter box wasn’t properly taken care of. Your cat will become afraid of you if you punish it or scold it too often.
If you offer a variety of foods to your cat, it will be less picky about what it eats. Keeping the same kind of food around most of the time makes it to where they only want that specific food.
Do not throw away your cat’s scratching post because it is starting to look very old and worn. Cats tend to enjoy a scratching toy more after they’ve gotten comfortable with it and made it their own. When you bring in a new post, the cat may ignore it.
Use canned food for your cat. It sometimes has more benefits over dry. Canned foods are also richer in fat, proteins and will help hydrate your cat. It’s much easier for older cats to chew it as well. Be sure to ask your vet about your pet’s food; however, canned food is usually the best for your cat.
Litter Box
Be aware of your cat stopping their litter box usage. There are conditions that will cause a kitty to do this. Kidney or bladder infections may be the reason. If your cat stops using the litter box suddenly, get him to a vet for a visit.
One way a dog shows affection for his owner is to wag his tail. A cat wagging its tail can have a very different meaning. When a cat wags its tail, it is usually due to conflict and a potential decision of fight or flee. When you hold your cat and he begins to wag his tail, put him down!
If your cat’s been declawed, you should never let them outside. Your cat will have no way of defending itself against other animals, which means it could get seriously injured or even killed. Indoor cats are the only type of cat that needs to be declawed. It is important to note that if you are declawing a cat, only the front claws on the cat should be removed. The back claws should remain as they will not scratch furniture or floors.
Don’t give your cat medicine intended for humans. If they have health issues, see a vet and give them what they provide. You can kill a cat by giving them human grade medications.
While cats make excellent pets, be prepared to be thrown off balance sometimes! Use these suggestions to make both of your lives more comfortable. Cats are great for everyone, and if cared for correctly, a cat will be a happy, loyal companion.
