Cats are frisky and fun loving, and as a cat owner, you might find yourself spending hours amusing yourself with their games. However, if you decide to own a cat, you need to educate yourself on proper cat-care ideas. Simply sitting at home playing with your cat can be enough for enjoyment. You should apply keep reading to learn how you can properly care for your cat.
Shop at your local pet shelter for your next cat. Shelters usually have many cats who need a home, and the fees typically include their shots and spaying or neutering. When adopting a shelter cat, you’re saving a life and aiding in controlling the cat population.
Make sure you keep all the recommended appointments with your cat’s veterinarian. Cats need special shots to keep them from getting sick, and the veterinarian will check your cats overall health. Try to stick with one vet during the life of your pet. You won’t have to worry that the vet won’t have all of your cat’s medical records.
Make sure your cat has a collar and tag if outside. A lost cat is much easier to locate if they are properly tagged. Have your phone number engraved on the tag.
Your house can really get torn apart by a cat’s claws. If you want to prevent or stop your cat from scratching up your furniture, the best thing to do is buy a scratching post or kitty tower for them to climb in. Teach them to scratch on it instead of your belongings. It might not happen overnight, but the problem should eventually stop.
It is a good idea to microchip your cat. Even cats who live completely indoors may someday decide to bolt out the door or escape out of a 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. Microchips are as tiny as a piece of rice and will tell people where the cat belongs. Most vets and animal shelters will have a microchip scanner and because it’s under the animal’s skin it can never become lost.
Set boundaries for your children when it comes to having a cat as a pet. Make sure your children are aware of rooms that are open to your cat. It’s also important to let them know that outside doors must be kept closed so that the cat doesn’t escape. Setting up rules ahead of time can help your kids understand better.
Is your home also the home of both a dog and cat? Keep in mind that the two animals have separate dietary needs, and dogs will try cat food if given the chance. This is why it’s important that the cat’s feeding area is in a spot that’s too high for a dog to get to. This can prevent squabbles over water when their food is gone.
Be careful when leaving your cat with your children. Children under five years old should always be supervised when interacting with a pet. They aren’t mature enough in order to handle the potential dangers of a kitten. As children grow, it will be easier to see if they’re mature enough to handle a cat.
Unlike most humans, cats love heights. To keep your cat happy, offer him a spot of his own up high where he can survey his kingdom. You can have a cat tree or even a strong wall shelf. To make it really special, put a bed or blanket up there too.
Make sure that you brush your cat’s coat often. This keeps the fur well oiled and the skin healthy. You will also decrease the amount of fur throughout your home. This keeps hairballs at bay, which may cause choking and build up inside their stomach from self-grooming.
Provide your cat with high-quality cat food. Check out the ingredients, and make sure it includes protein, such as meat, as the first item in the list. Try avoiding foods that have non-protein elements like corn. Cats are carnivores so it is important for them to get enough animal protein in their diet.
If you are thinking about adding another cat to your home, you need to set aside a couple of weeks where you let the animals get used to being around each other. They may be leery of each other at first and fight. After a bit of time, you’ll have two cats that will tolerate, and possibly enjoy, each other.
Try relocating your cat’s litter box if it’s refusing to use it. Cat’s sometimes just don’t like the location you’ve picked for the box. A basement or laundry area might be a good option.
Have your cat sport a collar that includes information regarding the owner’s name, address and telephone number. The cat may get out if it has a chance to, even house cats do this. Should this occur, your cat can be returned to you or someone can contact you with his whereabouts.
Do not give cat medications intended for humans. If your cat is ill, you need to take him to the vet to get proper treatment. If you give a pet something that it shouldn’t take, you could injure it or even kill it.
You could be playing games with your kitten right now. Not all cats are the same, but these tips should work on yours. This can help them become happier and live longer.