Many people make the mistake of not planning when they get a cat for the first time, and they run into a lot of issues. It is not a good idea to go into a cat adoption blind. However, even with preparation, you can’t possibly hope to foresee every problem that these cute felines will cause. Using these tips is a great solution to help you get prepared for what to expect in owning a cat.
Putting a warm tile beneath the bed of an older cat will help it rest comfortably. Just get a tile and heat it up in the oven for a while to place under the cat’s bed. Keep the temperature of the oven at 200 degrees. Use an old towel to wrap around it, then place it beneath the cat’s blanket or bed. If you want, change it now and then so the warmth continues.
Microchip your cat. Even though a cat may live inside, you never know if it will run out the door to escape. While a collar with a tag is useful, remember that your cat may be able to escape from the collar while they are away. Collars can also harm your cat if they get caught. A microchip is tiny, similar in size to a single rice grain and capable of holding plenty of information. Almost every vet and shelter has a scanner these days, and they can retrieve your contact information should they find your pet.
Keep your cat active and entertained to avoid boredom. Cats should have a lot of exercise and playtime. The unfortunate thing is that many owners of cats don’t realize this. Cats that are bored may develop obsessive compulsive disorders, depression, or other issues that can harm their health. Give them time and space where they can exercise and toys they can play with. Give them a cat tree to play with.
Being nocturnal is quite normal for cats. The result is that cats prefer to be more active during the night. If your cats are busy keeping you awake early, just close your bedroom door. This can keep them from waking you up at night and from pouncing on feet under the blankets.
Cats can spend hours keeping themselves and their fur clean. Your cat can get hairballs in the event that their hair is too long. To assist your cat if it has this problem, you should get food that’s special. Some foods contain extra oils and nutrients, specifically designed to prevent or diminish hairball concerns.
Male cats sometimes have crystals in their urine, but this can be prevented with the right cat food. These are very painful and expensive to treat. Make sure your cat’s food is not high in magnesium. Check the label. Fish usually has more magnesium than poultry.
Do you have both a cat and dog? Dogs often take advantage of dining on the cat’s food. Feed your pets in different areas of the house, and monitor them while they eat. This will ensure they don’t fight over food or water, too.
You must take caution when leaving your cat with any children. Children under five years old should always be supervised when interacting with a pet. Most of them simply aren’t mature enough to grasp the concept of danger to themselves or the animal. As your children get older, you can decide when to teach them about handling a pet.
Don’t stress yourself out about instructing your cat on proper litter box usage. This comes naturally – you can’t teach it. Certain techniques, such as rubbing the paws of your cat in the litter could actual traumatize your cat.
Use a brush on your cat regularly. Brushing spreads natural oils through the fur and also stimulates circulation. As an added bonus, it cuts down on loose fur. This keeps hairballs at bay, which may cause choking and build up inside their stomach from self-grooming.
Buy your cat a fountain it can drink from. Your cat will prefer drinking from running water since this is a natural behavior. Normally, cats much prefer water that comes out in a stream. In fact, some cats prefer running sink water to their own water bowls. Fountains keep the water cool and clean.
These tips can work on cats of all breeds and ages. Though the concepts are the same, there will inevitably be variations and a different set of circumstances for each family. If you’re not having fun after you adopt a cat, there is a serious problem.
