Cats are wonderful pets. They are independent and have a busy life, even if you’re not at home all the time. The following article will teach you what you need to know to take good care of your pet.
Groom your cat. 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. A cat that is well-groomed is one that looks the best at home.
Spay your cat as soon as she is old enough. Even if she is an inside cat, you need to spay her because she could get out. Having your cat spayed helps to control the pet population and will save you time and trouble.
Scratching Post
Cats can really scratch up your home. If you are having problems with your cat clawing up furniture, then purchase a scratching post or kitty tower. You should scold your cat when it scratches your furniture and direct its attention to the scratching post or tower. They may not take to it overnight, but they should eventually.
You may want to have a microchip implanted in your cat. You never know when your cat could get away from you. Tags and collars may be able to help you get your cat back, but cats can sometimes take these things off or they could get hung up on a tree or something. A microchip about as big as a grain of rice and holds all the contact information your cat needs. These days, pretty much all shelters and vet offices have scanners that can read these chips, and because they’re beneath your pet’s skin, they won’t ever get lost.
Keep your cat active and entertained to avoid boredom. They need exercise and they get it through play. Sadly, this can be easily overlooked. Cats who become bored often have issues that can affect them in a big way. Some of these issues are obesity due to eating out of boredom, OCD issues, fighting with other pets and depression. Provide your cats with the toys and space it needs. If you have an indoor cat, provide a kitty gym for them to climb on or a scratching post.
When traveling on the road with your cat, understand that they are sensitive to sounds. You may love belting out your favorite tunes as you drive on the freeway, but your cat probably enjoys softer sounds. Therefore, keep your music or other sounds at an acceptable level.
Cats and small children may not always mix. Teach your kids the right way to hold a cat. Demonstrate the proper way to pick up a cat and what they can do with the cat. Keep in mind that a cat’s bones are much more fragile than a dog’s.
When getting a little kitty for your kid, set boundaries beforehand. Explain where the cat is and isn’t allowed. If you’re planning on keeping your kitty inside full time, make sure your kids know their pet shouldn’t go outdoors. By making the rules well known to your children, your children will understand what is and is not allowed.
Speak to others about your cat problems. You may think it’s something you can take care of on your own, but other people that own cats could help. You can find online cat forums to ask questions, or you can speak with your vet.
Splurge on your cat’s food. Ensure that the food your cat eats is very high in protein. Try avoiding foods that have non-protein elements like corn. Cats are meant to eat meat, and that means that they need to have foods that are high in protein.
Cat Urinates
If your cat urinates frequently or outside his box, you may need to talk to your vet. A change in where or how a cat urinates can signal a UTI or other health problem. A course of antibiotics often does the trick.
Put some thought into where you place the litter box. It is temping to put it someplace where the odor will not be noticed. The litter box should be somewhere that is easy for your cat to get to, however. Cats can be finicky; that’s why you should give them space for their litter box that is familiar and does not put them off. If your litter box location is on a cold floor, you may want to put a rug underneath of the box.
Keep your cat’s vaccinations and checkups up to date with the vet. As with children, cats have to be immunized. Wellness checks are important to avoid diseases and health issues. Your cat is a family member and ought to be treated as such.
Put a collar around your cats neck that contains your name, address, and number. Even a house cat may get outside. If this occurs, make sure they can return home.
Don’t have an outdoor cat declawed. It can’t defend itself with no claws. Indoor cats are the only ones that should ever be declawed. If you must declaw a cat, only do it to the front paws. Allow your cat to retain their back claws which are less damaging to indoor surfaces.
Cats will smell changes around their home. This applies to new pets and food in the home. Don’t get frustrated if they don’t like these items right away. Once the cat gets used to the smell of the new item, quickly he or she will get accustomed to it.
A fun, intelligent and loving cat is a great pet for your family. But, you need to learn all you can about cat care. Review the concepts in this piece to understand what your cat really needs. Doing so will mean your cat lives a fulfilling, enjoyable life.