Cats are beautiful creatures, but they do come with a price tag. The cost of vet bills, food, toys, and cat litter are enough to make any person reconsider owning a cat. The following article has some great advice to help you care for your cat.
Look a local animal shelters for cats. Shelters always have plenty of cats available and adoption fees are usually very affordable. Adopting your cat at a shelter allows you to save a cat’s life while also helping mitigate overpopulation.
You should make sure your cat stays groomed properly. Brushing is a very important component towards taking care of your cat. If this is done frequently, your cat’s coat will be much cleaner. It will reduce shedding, which means that they won’t be experiencing a ton of hairballs. A well groomed cat, then, is a happy and healthy cat.
Cats can really scratch up your home. Think about a scratching post or kitty tower if your cat’s claws become a problem. Give them some encouragement and let them know it is okay to scratch that. Sooner or later, they’ll love to use it.
Place a “tablecloth” under your cat’s food bowl. Sometimes cats prefer to remove food from their bowls and eat it from the floor. If this occurs, you will have a mess on your hands. Place a piece of fabric or a place-mat under your cat’s bowl and then simply shake it over a garbage can for quick and easy clean up.
Don’t let your cat go outside. This can compromise your cat’s safety. They can get fleas, feline AIDS or even leukemia. They can get in a fight or be hit by a car. Cage in an area for a cat in your backyard if they must go outside.
Do you have dogs and cats? 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. In doing so, you prevent spats and spitting over competition for water.
Cats love high spots. For a truly happy cat, provide a safe place for your cat to survey his surroundings. If you don’t want a large cat tree in your home, a sturdy shelf cleared of breakables will work in a pinch. To complete the package, add a cat bed or blanket.
Speak to your peers about your cat issues. You won’t have the knowledge to handle every cat issue properly, so take advantage of the experiences of others. There are online cat forums that allow you to ask questions as well.
Reduce the chances of raising a finicky cat by feeding them several brands of food while they are young. If they start eating just one type of food without variation, they are sure to grow finicky.
Cat Needs
Plan on spending the money for good cat food that contains the nutrients that your cat needs. Read the ingredients, and make sure a source of protein, like fish or chicken, is near the top. Try to avoid foods that consist of corn, or other non-protein elements. Understand that your cat needs a lot of animal protein to stay healthy.
If adding an additional cat to your home, give the cats a couple of weeks to get comfortable with each other. They may still hiss and growl when they are in the same room together. With enough time to acclimate themselves to the new arrangement, though, virtually any two cats will become willing, friendly, and perhaps even inseparable companions.
Really consider where you place the litter box. You may really want to hide that box from everyday life. The litter box needs to be placed in a spot that your cat can reach very easily. A finicky cat may not use the litter box if the environment is very inconvenient. A litter box located in the basement should be placed on a thick mat or rug.
If your cat will not use the litter box, try placing it at a different spot in your home. Make sure to put it in a quiet spot in your house. Basements, laundry rooms, and other low traffic locations are a great choice.
Dogs wag their tails frequently when they are happy or excited to see their owners. Cats may wag as well, but the meaning can be quite different. A cat that is flicking its tail is either feeling threatened or predatory and is considering his next move. Likewise, if you are holding your cat, and he suddenly starts to wag his tail, you may need to let him down to avoid swats or scratches to yourself!
Any pet can cost a lot to properly care for, and that is also true of cats. It’s so much work, it rivals raising a child! As this article has shown, there are many things that must be done to keep your cat happy and healthy.