Cats are a popular pet for millions, and they deserve love and proper care. A little self-education can transform you into the kind of responsible cat owner that keeps their feline friends happy and affectionate over the course of a long and healthy life. Thankfully, the experts have provided what you need to know below.
A vet trip should happen for your cat yearly. The vet will be able to provide your cat with needed vaccinations and any medications it requires. Veterinarians also keep tabs on your cat’s overall health and diagnose any problems they find. For the most consistent pet care, choose one veterinarian and stick with them. That way, the doctor will be familiar with the history of your cat.
Cats enjoy finding small spaces to fit into. If you keep a collar on your pet, getting stuck in one of these spaces can be very dangerous. A collar that will breakaway is the best idea for safety. A collar like this could save your cat’s life.
Taking your cat to the vet is part of being a responsible pet owner. Most vets recommend yearly check-ups. If the animal requires certain vaccinations, more visits are necessary. Cats must see their vet right away if they start having health issues, injuries or other problems.
Do not allow your cat to stay bored all of the time. Every cat needs exercise time and play! Too many cat owners forget this simple fact. Bored cats are more prone to depression, obsessive compulsive disorders, as well as many other behavioral issues. Give them toys and things to do. If you have an indoor cat, provide a kitty gym for them to climb on or a scratching post.
Litter Box
Keep your cat’s litter box in the right location. The litter box should not be kept in an area with a lot of traffic. In addition, it does not need to be near the cat’s food. You’ll want to place the box in a spot with good ventilation to avoid unpleasant smells. Both you and your pet will appreciate that.
Male cats often develop crystals in their bladder that come out in their urine. This can be prevented with a proper diet. Passing crystals is very painful for your cat, and the vet’s bill will be painful for you. Choose a cat food low in magnesium. Read the ingredient list on the label. Poultry-based foods are generally lower in magnesium than fish.
Tell your kids what the rules are about your new kitten. Make sure your kids know where the cat can be. Be sure that your children understand that an indoor cat must never be allowed outdoors. By getting these rules into place before having a cat, you’ll be sure that your children can understand.
Regularly brush your cat’s hair. Brushing spreads natural oils throughout a cat’s fur, and also helps stimulate blood flow in their skin. It can help decrease the amount of loose hair as well. This helps keep those hairballs from building up in your cat’s stomach.
If your cats create messes near the litter box, don’t punish them. Many times this occurs because the box wasn’t well maintained. The cat will be fearful of you if you punish it.
Is your pet’s scratching post starting to look beat up? Don’t toss it out! Cats prefer used scratching posts. If you toss it away in favor of something newer, your cat may look for something older to scratch, and that may end up being your furniture.
Provide your cat with a drinking fountain. Wild cats like to drink flowing water, and domestic cats are the same. Streaming water is your best bet. You have perhaps noticed that your cat enjoys drinking from the running sink. A fountain will give them the same effect, and it is more environmentally friendly.
If you want your cat to live a long, healthy life, be sure he gets his shots when he is supposed to an take him for a yearly check-up. Kittens, like children, need to have their vaccinations and wellness appointments regularly to prevent diseases and other health issues from becoming a problem later in life. When you have a cat, it becomes a member of your family, so you’ll want to ensure that it’s as healthy as possible.
If your feline stops using a litter box, pay special attention. Abandoning proper litter box habits is often a warning sign of serious health problems in cats. Bladder troubles, kidney ailments, or infections can all cause this sort of behavior. If your cat stops going in the litter box, a call to the vet is in order.
Avoid using phenol-containing chemicals if you have cats. Many household cleaners, like Pine-Sol and Lysol, contain this chemical. The smell is pretty offensive to cats, and prolonged exposure can lead to liver damage.
If your cat is spitting up hairballs frequently, and extra grooming does not help, these handy tips may help. One mixed teaspoon of pumpkin mixed into your cat’s food should help. A teaspoon or so of water from a can of tuna can also be mixed in with the pumpkin. There are also cat foods that contain an anti-hairball component, usually extra fiber, that may solve the problem.
Place a sticky style tape on your furniture. If your cat scratches up the upholstery, put up some tape to dissuade it from doing so. Some companies make tape specifically for this purpose. By keeping your furniture covered with tape and getting a scratching post put up, you will get your cat to scratch that instead.
Cats often require a visit to your veterinarian, but that can get very expensive. If you are looking to save money, buy your medications from reputable sites on the web. Some companies will express ship to your door. This is very convenient for medications, such as monthly flea treatments or heart worm medications.
While cats are awesome pets, you have to make sure you take care of them properly. You’ve read this article in full as you want to be a more responsible pet owner. With the love and care that you provide it, you will make sure that your cat has a happy and healthy life.