Although cats can be great pets, they can be quite expensive to take care of. Veterinarian bills, cat food, cat toys and kitty litter all add up. For ideas to improve your cat’s health and happiness, read on.
If you have a female cat it is important to have her spayed once she becomes old enough. Even if you have an indoor female cat, if it escapes when it’s in heat it could get you a bunch of kittens you weren’t planning on having. Getting your cat spayed is the best in regards to prevention.
Your home furnishings can fall victim to your cat’s sharp claws. If you have a cat that is wreaking havoc, buy a scratching post. Teach your cat to scratch this instead of the legs of a couch or sofa. It might take a little while, but eventually it should stop the problem.
Cats love to play on kitchen counters, and it can be hard to break them of the habit. Cats naturally love heights so they can easily see everyone and everything. It helps to provide your cat with certain high spaces where it is allowed. Placing a cat tower near the kitchen will help the cats to not lay on the counter.
Think about getting a microchip for your feline friend. Even cats that live their lives entirely indoors can suddenly escape out a window or door. 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 about as big as a grain of rice and holds all the contact information your cat needs. Most shelters and veterinarians can scan your pet to read the information on the chip, and the chip cannot be lost since it is beneath the skin.
Cats can have nocturnal tendencies. This means nighttime is an active time for your cat. Close your bedroom door if your cat is driving you nuts at night. Your cat will not bother you in the middle of the night if this area is off limit.
Avoid the chance that your male cat will develop crystals in his system that will come out in his urine by feeding a high quality diet. Just like kidney stones, these crystals are painful and vet bills are pricey. Let your cat have food that doesn’t have a lot of magnesium in it. Take a look at the food’s label. Fish is often high in magnesium compared to chicken.
Remember to take care of your cat’s ears if you travel with him. Cats tend to prefer gentle sounds during the day. Reduce the volume of the music and keep the windows up; let your cat rest!
Make sure your cat has identification and a collar all the time. This is essential, even for indoor cats. An adventurous cat can easily slip through an open door or window. Those tags can help if someone finds your kitty. Make sure your info and your vets info is on it. This is very critical if your feline has specific medical issues.
Do you feel overwhelmed by cat hair everywhere you look? Cats shed quite often, so make sure that you brush them a lot. If your cat sheds a lot, you need to brush it more often. This also prevents matting and tangling.
Have your cat vaccinated as often as your vet prescribes. As with children, cats have to be immunized. Wellness checks are important to avoid diseases and health issues. Remember that the four-pawed members of your family need healthcare just as much as the ones that walk on two feet.
If your feline friend is having kittens, make sure to give her lots of room to birth in. Giving birth to all the kittens can take hours, so you shouldn’t expect things to be over and done with quickly. If it drags on for six to eight hours, call your vet immediately to talk to them about it.
Cats, like all pets, can be expensive. Being a cat parent can be labor and time intensive. Clearly, it really is possible to economize without sacrificing your cat’s care.
