Cats are absolutely wonderful. To keep your cat happy and active, introduce new toys and games often. Fun with a cat does not always involve the expenditure of money. Keep these tips in mind for a good outcome.
If you are planning to get a pet cat, be sure to check with your local shelter. Shelters have tons of great cats and their adoption fee will generally cover necessary vet care. Besides, adopting a cat from an animal shelter means you are saving this cat’s life.
Groom your cat. You have to make sure your cat gets brushed or combed often. Do this often in order to aid in keeping your cat’s outer coat clean and healthy. It also helps to reduce their shedding and can cut down on how many times they are spitting up hairballs. A cat that is well-groomed is one that looks the best at home.
You should take your cat to the vet on a regular basis to maintain optimum health. Your cat needs to get a checkup about once every year, or more if there are issues that come up. Cats should go to a vet immediately if they have any conditions, health problems, or injuries that need to be tended to right away.
Be cautious about using canine products on your feline friend. Products designed for dogs or other animals could cause a negative reaction from your cat. This will especially be true if it’s a product for fleas. Canine flea products can be lethal to a cat. If you treat your dog for fleas, make sure you keep the cat away for several hours following the application.
Think over whether or not you should let your cat go outdoors. There are many dangers to your cat outside. Your cat can pick up fleas, or worse. Your cat could be injured by other animals, people and vehicles. If they have to go outside, make sure it’s a small area like your lawn or backyard.
Is there a dog in your home, as well as a cat? Most dogs will not hesitate before munching on your cat’s food. If you’re having a problem with this, make your cat’s eating area high enough that your dog cannot reach. The added benefit is that you will prevent fights over the other animals food and water when one of them runs out.
Make sure to give your cats different types of food so that they aren’t as finicky. By giving them one kind of food all the time, it will be all they want to eat.
Haired Cats
Think about how much extra care is entailed in bringing a long-haired cat into your home. The hair looks good, except when it’s all over your furniture. Long-haired cats can be very high maintenance over the course of the year. Additionally, consider that longer-haired cats are more likely to have issues with hairballs.
Where did you put the litter box? You are surely tempted to put it where the smell will affect your surroundings the least. Make sure your cat can easily reach the litter box at all times. Cats are finicky, so you must provide an environment that is not inconvenient or off-putting to the animal. If you are going to put the litter box in a room without carpet, put a mat beneath it to keep the box warm.
Keeping vaccinations up-to-date is the way to make sure your cat lives longer and more healthy. Stick to regular check-ups. Cats need regular checkups, just like humans. Your cat will be a valued member of your family, which means treating it just as you would other loved ones.
With dogs, tail wagging is a sign they’re in a good mood, or glad their owners are around. Cats wag their tail as well, but have different reasons psychologically. Tail-wagging in cats tends to suggest conflict or anxiety. If you’re holding the cat and their tail begins wagging, they should be put down so that you don’t get scratched or hit.
If you can, keep your cat inside and close to you. Studies have shown that cats that live outdoors tend to have shorter lives than cats that stay indoors. Make sure your cat is trained as an indoor cat if you don’t want it to get diseases or other things that can happen when it’s outdoors.
Never have a declawed cat to spend time outdoors. They can’t defend themselves against other animals and cats, which can risk injuries or death. Indoor cats can be declawed, though. Even so, only remove the front claws when you do so. Don’t remove the back claws. This will help ensure that your cat remains safe in case it gets outside, and back claws will not scratch any furniture.
Do not overfeed your cat since this can lead to a lot of health issues in the future. They can develop diabetes or heart disease, just like humans. Keep your cat eating healthy and consistent at all times.
Reconsider before you let your cat have table scraps as treats. Cats need special food of their own, which contain certain vital nutrients specifically beneficial to cats. Give your cat chicken or beef if you must feed it human food. However, if you feed a cat the right cat food, he is already getting proper nutrition.
You and your cat are on your way to happy and healthy lives. The techniques provided here will bring much joy to life with your cat. A healthy cat will make your days much more enjoyable.