Many people agree that cats are the best pets available. Owning a cat is a challenge, however. There are special needs that a cat owner should be aware of, even if they have had other pets. Cats are not the same as other animals. Read on to find out more.
You never want to leave the cords of your drapes dangling down. Cats should not be allowed to play with these cords, as they can get parts of their body stuck in the cord loops. This could even choke them to death. To stop this from happening, pin your drapes and hide them out of sight.
Make sure your cat is always groomed. Regular combing and brushing is usually all that is required. Do this often in order to aid in keeping your cat’s outer coat clean and healthy. This will also reduce things like shedding and hairballs because it keeps them from having extra hair. Keep your cat looking at its best by grooming it well.
If your cat is a female, you’ll want to spay her once she reaches the proper age. You may believe that this is unnecessary if your cat stays inside all the time; however, cats almost always find a way to get outside, especially when they are in heat. When this occurs, your cat could get pregnant. Spaying the feline is really the optimal way of dealing with this.
Don’t allow your cat become bored. Cats need stimulation. Unfortunately, many owners do not realize this important part of ownership. A lack of stimulation can lead to psychological or medical problems for your cat, including depression, compulsive disorders, and chronic misbehavior. Provide them with space to exercise and lots of toys to play with. Indoor cats will be happier if you provide them with climbing resources and practical things such as scratching posts.
Cats can spend hours keeping themselves and their fur clean. However, if it has a lot of hair, hairballs can occur. If you’ve got a cat with this issue, get it special types of food. There are foods that are made to reduce the frequency of hairballs. It’s a smart move for your cat and your sanity.
Cats love to be high up. Designating a high-up area where your cat can hang out and watch everything from will help him to feel comfortable. You should install a cat tree or allow your cat to climb on some shelves. Install a small bed for your cat or a comfortable blanket.
You should not train your cat to use a litter box. They do this by nature and don’t need to be taught. While some folks think you should pick up your cat and place their paws against the litter, this can actually be traumatic.
Feed your cat a few different varieties of food. This can help him not get too finicky. If they start eating just one type of food without variation, they are sure to grow finicky.
Scratching Post
Don’t get rid of an old scratching post. It may not look as nice, but cats love a scratching post with some wear and tear. Tossing it and getting a new one may cause your cat to find something old to scratch like your furniture.
Purchase a drinking fountain for your cat. Cats who are in the wild prefer to drink from running water, and this holds true for domestic cats, as well. Cats usually like to drink from a water stream. In fact, there are cats that enjoy drinking from a running sink instead of a bowl. Also, a cat drinking fountain is better for the environment and allows them to be more natural.
Place a collar on your cat that has your name, phone number and address. The cat may get out if it has a chance to, even house cats do this. If this happens, ensure there’s a way they can find home again.
Cats have a surprisingly acute sense of smell, making it easy for them to detect change in their environment. This can be troublesome sometimes if you’re trying to feed the cat new food or give it new toys. If the cat doesn’t like it, don’t be alarmed. Eventually the cat will get used to the smell and things will go back to normal.
Panting is a bad symptom. With dogs, this is something that is common. Panting sometimes means your cat might be overheated or perhaps anxious, but it also can sometimes mean something even more serious. Make sure you contact a vet, especially if your cat has had respiratory problems in the past.
Put tape on furniture to seal it up. The tape can stop your cat from scratching. Your local pet store may carry tape for this. You can put this tape on your furniture and get a scratching post to get your cat out of this habit.
You will notice that veterinarian bills cost a lot over time. Save a bit of money and time by purchasing medication for your cat online. These can be delivered right to your doorstep, immediately. This can be great if you have to get heart worm pills or flea treatments that your cat has to take every month.
Even if your cat stays inside full time, a tagged collar is a good idea. Cats are intelligent and try to leave if they’re given the chance. If your cat has a tag on its’ collar, then you will have a better chance of it coming home to you if it gets out.
Ensure you always give your cat flea and tick medicine. An effective medication is monthly drops. They stop fleas from making your pet’s life miserable. Use only products that are purpose-formulated for feline use in order to give your cat the protection it needs.
As was stated earlier, cats are a wonderful choice for a pet. You need to know all you can about cat care to ensure the happiness of your pet. Keep these tips in mind as you take care of your cat. You will be thanked by your cat.