There was a famed poet once that enjoyed cats. He said households depend on cats, which is sort of true. Make sure that your cat is healthy so that it can stay energetic. Cats are definitely not the simplest creatures to share your home with. These tips can help you and your cat exist better together.
Be certain your cat has regular vet visits. Cats should go to a vet at least once each year for a check up, and more frequently for required shots. If there are more pressing health problems, take your cat to the vet right away.
A tagged collar is essential if you let your cat outside regularly. Cats can travel a long way and this will help you get them back easier if they’re lost. The tag should contain your name and number for contact purposes.
Your kitty’s litter box requires strategic placement. Try to keep it away from areas of household traffic and away from your cat’s eating areas. To minimize odors, keep it in a spot that’s well ventilated. Not only will your cat appreciate it but you will too.
Most cats spend a large amount of time on grooming themselves. When your cat has long hair, this can cause hairballs. To fix this problem, you can try buying a new food. Some food are produced specifically for hairball reduction, which will help.
Male cats often develop crystals in their bladder that come out in their urine. This can be prevented with a proper diet. These are very painful and expensive to treat. Let your cat have food that doesn’t have a lot of magnesium in it. Read the labels. Products that have fish in them have more magnesium usually when compared to products with poultry.
Cats are great family pets, but small children might be too rough. Make sure your child knows how to treat a cat. Spend some time showing them how to lift a cat and how they can interact with the cat. Cats should be handled more gently since their bones are more fragile than those of dogs.
Try to figure out why your cat meows. After living with your cat for long, it’s easier to interpret its meows. The cat may want something to eat or to get let out. By listening to your cat, it will be easier to know what they want.
You shouldn’t leave a young cat with children unattended. If a child is under the age of five, you should not leave the pet alone with them. Younger children cannot fully understand how to properly handle a small pet. Find your child’s age of maturity when it comes to handling pets.
Litter Box
Don’t teach the basics of using a litter box. Using the litter box will come naturally to your cat. Some cat owners believe they should expose their cat to the litter box and rub its paws into the litter; however, this may actually have the opposite effect and make your cat scared of it.
Brush your cat at regular times. This keeps the fur well oiled and the skin healthy. It can also get rid of hair that is loose. Brushing eliminates the formation of hairballs which may choke your cat and lead to buildup of excess hair in the abdomen when the cat grooms himself.
Keep old, worn scratching posts. Cats love them! Your cat might not want to use the new scratching post and start ruining your furniture instead.
A long-haired cat comes with a great deal of extra care. The hair may be a gorgeous thing to behold, but it will require a lot of maintenance. Don’t get such a cat unless you are prepared for the extra commitment they take over regular cats. Hair balls are also more prevalent in long haired cats.
Avoid any products containing phenol around your cats. This chemical is usually in Pine-sol, Lysol, and other house cleaners. The smell is offensive to cats, and prolonged exposure can lead to liver problems.
Keep cats inside as much as you can, or at least close to you or your home. Cats trained to live inside instead of outside live longer according to certain studies. While cats can get their exercise roaming the neighborhood and squaring off against other cats, they can also get diseases and injuries this way. Vigorous indoor play with an owner is a preferable way to get exercise.
You should never give a cat medication that is for humans. If you cat suffers from health issues, ask your vet for his recommended treatment option. When you make the mistake of giving any type of human medication to your cat, it can kill them or cause them some other type of grave medical misfortune.
Cats have a great sense of smell, which helps them easily grasp changes to their environment. This can sometimes cause difficulties when you buy a new scratching post, cat bed or food dish. Don’t get frustrated if they don’t like these items right away. After your cat adjusts to the new scent, they’ll be more interested in the new object.
Keep an eye out on panting. For dogs, panting is completely normal. Panting can indicate overheating or anxiousness; however, it can indicate health issues as well. Take the cat to a veterinarian, especially if they’ve experienced previous breathing problems.
Caring for your cat is a lot of work but your cat is worth it. It doesn’t matter if your cat is energetic or totally lazy. These tips will strengthen your bond with your cat. Soon, the purrs will become more frequent than the meows.