Cats are amazing friends and companions. If you’re considering adding a cat to your family, read this article. Get some valuable insights about how to bond with your new cat and create a healthy environment for everyone.
Older cats will appreciate a heated bed; you can use a heated tile to create one! Place a tile made of terra cotta or a similar material in an oven heated to 200 degrees for around 15 to 20 minutes. Then, wrap this up into a towel and place it underneath your cat’s bed. Change every few hours if you like.
Be certain your cat has regular vet visits. They should have a routine check-up once a year or more if important shots are due. Cats must see their vet right away if they start having health issues, injuries or other problems.
If your cat is outdoors, it needs to have a tagged collar. Tags can save you a lot of trouble if your cat gets lost. Some required information on the tag would be the cat’s name and your personal phone number.
You may want to have a microchip implanted in your cat. Even an indoor cat could someday jump through an open window. A collar with tags increases your chances of getting your cat back if it gets lost but it can also be a risk, for instance if it gets snagged in some branches. A microchip is tiny, similar in size to a single rice grain and capable of holding plenty of information. Scanners to read pet microchips are available in every town and they will not come out from under the skin.
You will often find ways to save money on medication for your cat on the Internet instead of getting it from your vet. In some cases you may not be able to buy online, in the case of emergencies, for instance. Most of the time, you will get great discounts if you purchase on the web.
If you have to travel with a cat you should remember their ears. Cats tend to prefer gentle sounds during the day. Therefore, try to turn down your music or keep if off altogether so your cat has a better trip.
A tablecloth for the feeding area can be quite useful. Some cats prefer removing their food from the bowl and eating it on the side. This makes quite a mess. Simply place a cloth placemat that will grab at the food under their plate and then shaken out over the trash. You can put a vinyl one underneath that can be picked up wiped down easily if you prefer.
If you give your kids a kitten, provide them with firm boundaries at the same time. Make sure your children know what rooms the cat can go into and what rooms it can’t. If your cat is going to be one that stays inside, let the kids know that it’s not allowed outside. Setting up rules ahead of time can help your kids understand better.
Use care if you have kids and a cat. Under five, the child needs to be watched. Young children are not yet mature enough to realize what behaviors are dangerous to a cat. As children grow, it will be easier to see if they’re mature enough to handle a cat.
Brush your cat daily. The act of brushing helps the coat become glossy, and it helps stimulate the skin. It also loosens hair that is about ready to fall out. This can keep hairballs at bay because this can choke up a cat and also build up in its stomach.
Litter Box
If your cat relieves itself away from its litter box, do not spring into action with punishment. Often, this happens when the litter box is dirty. If you punish the cat, it may shy away from you at future times.
Your cat should be acclimated to a carrier as a kitten. While punishment is a good strategy to train dogs, it is not adapted to cats. They respond better to encouragement. 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. Sooner or later, your cat will try out the appealing space and learn to be comfortable in it. Then, you will have no problem using the carrier.
Choosing a cat as your pet is wonderful. They offer lots of comfort and can be stress relievers. However, in order to get this satisfaction you must first understand how to care for the cat. Following the guidelines you’ve just read will allow you to improve the quality and quantity of your cat’s years.
