In the post adoption phase, many issues arise between cats and families. Getting pets before properly preparing is a disaster. Some problems come even with total preparation. Luckily these tips can give you an edge and help you face the unknown.
Keep your cat properly groomed. Cats should have regular combings. If you brush cats on a regular basis, it will keep their coats clean and attractive. It’s also helpful in reducing how much cats shed and how often they spit out those dreaded hairballs. A well-groomed feline looks great on their own, but also helps keep a home well-groomed too.
You may want to have a microchip implanted in your cat. Indoor cats could run out your door or jump out the window. Even if you put a collar or tag on your cat, be careful as they can wiggle out of these very easily and can be dangerous if they get caught on a foreign object like a tree branch. Microchips are as small as a rice grain and have all of your important contact information. Nearly all veterinarians and shelters now have scanners capable of reading the information on these chips, and since they are under the skin, there is no chance of the chip getting lost.
Keep your cat away from boredom. Play and exercise are both important for cats’ well-being. Sometimes, cat owners don’t realize this. A lack of stimulation can lead to psychological or medical problems for your cat, including depression, compulsive disorders, and chronic misbehavior. Make sure your cats have a wide variety of toys and plenty of room for active play. If they’re inside kitties, get them a post or something else that they can scratch and climb.
Cats are known for spending inordinate amounts of time grooming themselves. If the cat has longer hair, it can be the cause of hairballs. There are special foods that can ease this issue. There are foods on the market for cats that specifically deal with the hairball problems and are good for the cat.
You may get much better prices on medications online. Sometimes you might not have time to wait for an online order to arrive however, such as if your cat needs an immediate antibiotic or emergency treatment. However, if you buy meds for your cat on a regular basis, you can save huge amounts by getting medication via the Internet.
Cover the area around your cat’s bowl with a cloth. Cats often like to remove food from their bowl to eat it off to the side. Sometimes this will make the area around the bowl messy, and you’ll have to clean it. You can get a pet mat or use a piece of old fabric to put under it for easy cleanup.
Be very careful about allowing children to be alone with a kitten. If children are younger than five years old, pets ought not be left with them. Most of them simply aren’t mature enough to grasp the concept of danger to themselves or the animal. As your child matures, carefully consider whether a small pet is safe with them.
Don’t stress yourself out about instructing your cat on proper litter box usage. This comes naturally – you can’t teach it. A lot of people think that they can take their cat and try to rub their cat’s paws on the litter, but this may just traumatize the cat.
It would be a good idea for your cat to get used to a pet carrier. You have to take a different approach to training a cat rather than a dog. They are much better with encouragement. Place the open carrier in an area that your cat visits often and outfit it with a favorite toy and blanket. Your cat will want to inspect the carrier and probably enjoy hiding inside. Once this is achieved, you can transport your cat inside the carrier much easier.
Purchase high quality food for your cat. Check out the list of ingredients of any food you are considering buying. Ensure that an animal protein source, including fish, chicken, or beef, is the main ingredient. Try omitting non-protein based foods such as corn from your regular diet. Cats in the wild are meat eaters, and domestic cats need meat to ensure optimum health.
Purchase a drinking fountain for your cat to get water from. Your cat will prefer drinking from running water since this is a natural behavior. Cat usually respond well to streams. Cats often like the running water more than their own bowl of water. Also, drinking fountains are more environmentally friendly and gives them the ability to drink naturally.
It may be time to take your cat to see the vet if it begins urinating more frequently and in places besides its litter box. Cats may show this behavior if they develop an infection of the urinary tract, or some other health issue. Some cheap antibiotics can resolve potential risks for your cat.
These training tips are great for any type of cat, irrespective of breed or age. There are certain common problems that arise when raising a kitten, but some cats will exhibit unique problems. Just remember to enjoy every minute with your adopted kitten no matter what.
