Cats are one of the most popular pets in the world, loved by millions of people. These abandoned kittens make up nearly half of the population of domesticated felines and can become a troublesome pest if you live in urban areas. This problem can cost your business thousands and cause you to lose customers.
Check with your shelter before you purchase a cat. Shelters have tons of great cats and their adoption fee will generally cover necessary vet care. When adopting a shelter cat, you’re saving a life and aiding in controlling the cat population.
Taking your cat in for regular check-ups at the veterinarian’s office is part of being a responsible pet owner. There are shots and vaccinations that are standard and necessary for your cat. For the most consistent pet care, choose one veterinarian and stick with them. This ensures that your vet knows your cat’s medical history.
Cats will try to get into many different crevices. If they have a collar, this can be a safety issue if they get stuck. The advantage to a breakaway type collar is that if enough pressure is put on it, it will just let go rather than strangle the cat. This could save your cat’s life!
Heated tiles are great to put under a cat bed, especially for the comfort of aging felines. A terra cotta tile about a foot square is ideal. You can warm it with a 15-20 minute stop in your oven, set to approximately 200 degrees. Wrap this in a towel that’s old and then place it under the bed the cat sleeps on. Change every few hours if you like.
If you have a female cat it is important to have her spayed once she becomes old enough. Whether or not she typically goes outside, she may escape while in heat and you might have kittens! If your cat has been spayed, however, you won’t have to worry about this happening.
Cat’s claws can really put a dent in your furniture. Buy your cat a scratching posts to focus its attention off your furniture. When your cat scratches inappropriately, redirect him to the scratching post. It may take some time, but will be worth the effort and expense.
It can be tricky to keep a cat off the kitchen counters. Cats naturally love heights so they can easily see everyone and everything. One way to nip this problem in the bud is to give your cat a dedicated perch of their own as an alternative to using your space. If you don’t want your cats to jump on your counters, you can put a cat condo in or around the kitchen.
Have your cat chipped so you can find him if he runs away. Even an indoor cat could someday jump through an open window. Cat collars are a great thing to have in case your cat gets lost, but they also pose a risk if they get caught on something. A microchip is tiny, similar in size to a single rice grain and capable of holding plenty of information. Most vets and animal shelters will have a microchip scanner and because it’s under the animal’s skin it can never become lost.
Litter Box
The correct location is important when picking a spot for a cat’s litter box. Put the litter box in a secluded area, and make sure that it is not near the cat’s food. You’ll want to place the box in a spot with good ventilation to avoid unpleasant smells. Your cat is certain to appreciate a litter box that is put into a good location.
Give your cat lots of attention and love. They are very loving animals and deserve affection back. Cats have a need to communicate with others to show they are part of the family. Cats want to feel loved and needed.
Though a veterinarian will almost always have a supply of medications that your cat needs, it can be more cost-effective to purchase them from online venues. Naturally, some stuff won’t be available online. If you regularly need to buy pet medication, you can get a savings of up to 50 percent online.
Remember to take care of your cat’s ears if you travel with him. Cats tend to prefer gentle sounds during the day. Keep the music turned down or off when taking your cat on a trip.
Remember that very young children can be a bit too rough with a cat or new kitten. Guide your kids in handling a feline. Teach them which activities are good and how to properly pick your cat up. Cats have weaker bones than dogs do, and must be treated accordingly.
If your cat relieves itself away from its litter box, do not spring into action with punishment. Improper box care on your part causes the mess, not the cat. If you get mad, they’ll never use the box again.
It would be a good idea for your cat to get used to a pet carrier. Cats just don’t respond like dogs do when it comes to punishment. They like responding to encouragement better. Put a favorite blanket and toy in the carrier and leave it open somewhere the cat frequents. Your cat will want to inspect the carrier and probably enjoy hiding inside. This makes transporting much easier.
Give your cat canned food. While dry food is less costly, the canned food has added benefits. There is more water in canned food and more protein and fat too. For older feline’s, it’s also quite a lot easier to chew. Your vet can give you more information specific to your cat, though canned food is usually better.
Hopefully, this article has prepared you to treat cats a bit better and deal with them in an appropriate manner. Cats are very loving creatures, once you get to know them. Cats are very sensitive and you should take good care of them. Cats, whether feral or indoor, deserve a loving home.