Most cats require plenty of care from an attentive, responsible owner. The grooming methods you use on dogs or other animals won’t necessarily work for your cat. It takes time to keep a cat clean and to brush them properly. Read on to find more things cat owners should know.
Any drape cords should be hidden so the cat cannot grab hold of them. The cats will start playing with the cords and they can easily wrap around their necks. This may harm or kill them. Hide the cords for safety sake.
Cats love to squeeze into tiny spots. If your cat gets caught on something wearing a traditional collar they could end up hurting their neck trying to break free. Breakaway collars are made to come off if tugged on vigorously. That’ll keep kitty safe.
If you have an outdoor kitty, make sure to invest in a break away collar with an identification tag. Cats love to roam, so you need to give someone who finds your cat a way to contact you. The tag needs your phone number and cat’s name at the minimum.
Scratching Post
A cat’s claws can do significant damage to your home and belongings. If you find your cat tearing up things around your home, buy a scratching post or cat tower. Redirect your cat to the scratching post when they start to go after your furniture. Catnip can be put in the posts or on the tower to help train the cat to use it. It might take time, but eventually you will see that the damage to your furniture is diminished.
Generally, cats love to stay on the counter. Cats enjoy heights, as they can monitor events from their perch. 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.
Most cats are nocturnal. They get very active at night. If you have trouble sleeping because of cats, you may want to close the door to your bedroom. This will keep the cats away while you’re trying to sleep because they won’t be jumping all over you.
Crystals in the urine, an issue many male cats have, can be avoided with the proper food. These crystals can cause a lot of pain to your cat and could end up costing you a lot in medical expenses. Feed your cat food that is low in magnesium. Read the labels. Fish products can have more magnesium when compared to poultry.
Do you have dogs and cats? Dogs love to eat cat food! Feed your pets in different areas of the house, and monitor them while they eat. Doing this will also help you avoid fights over the water bowl.
Cats like to be up high. Elevate your cat so that it can scan the area. You should install a cat tree or allow your cat to climb on some shelves. The cat will especially enjoy it if you put a blanket on top.
Litter Box
Don’t punish cats for making messes outside the litter box. Often, this happens when the litter box is dirty. Punishing the cat will only make him afraid to be around you in the future.
To avoid having a picky cat, switch up the kinds of foods you give him. 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 typically like older posts compared to newer posts. By throwing away an old scratching post and replacing it with a newer one, your cat will likely look for older items to scratch, such as your furniture.
Drinking Fountain
Purchase a drinking fountain for your cat. A cat will always drink from running water if possible. Cats generally respond better to a stream of water. Many cats prefer running water over their water dish. A drinking fountain will be good for the environment and can help the cat to enjoy its water more.
Your cat should be given food from a can. Dry food is usually cheaper, but canned food boasts a number of benefits. Canned food will give your cat more water, fat and protein. As a cat ages, it has a harder time chewing. Speak with a vet, but know that wet food is normally much better for your pet.
Play is an important part of a cat’s life. Playing is a very common activity shared by most animals. Older cats do not have the same energy level as younger ones, but they still like to play a little. Enjoy your cat every day.
Think about extra care before you take home a cat with long hair. Long-haired cats are beautiful animals, but keep in mind that they will shed everywhere in your home. Only choose a cat with long hair if you can clean up after it consistently. Long-haired cats also often have hairballs.
When your cat is nearly ready to have her kittens, prepare a spacious, but protected area for your cat to give birth. Since there are so many kittens, the birthing process can take a few hours. When six hours passes, get to the vet immediately.
Use a cat collar that gives name, address, and phone number info. Even if your cat is an indoor cat, there is that small chance he or she might get out one day. If this occurs, make sure they can return home.
Once your cat has had the best grooming possible, it can look good. As a cat owner, it’s your job to ensure your pet looks and feels healthy. Anything you can do in terms of grooming that cat will definitely appreciate. Use this article to learn how to do that.
