Although cats can be great pets, they can be quite expensive to take care of. The cost of vet bills, food, toys, and cat litter are enough to make any person reconsider owning a cat. Check out the tips provided below to gain a little insight on being a responsible cat owner.
You should always bring your cat to a vet to make sure everything is okay. Cats need to get shots so they don’t get sick and a vet can help you make sure your cat is okay. Try using the same vet during your cat’s life. This way they will know your cat’s history the best.
Get your cat to a vet on a regular basis for the best health possible. Your cat needs to get a checkup about once every year, or more if there are issues that come up. When the cat seems to be acting abnormally, take it to the vet immediately.
Deter your cat from chewing on inappropriate things by using bitter apple. You can also cover your cords under a rug or tape them to walls. You can bundle loose cords together and place them inside paper towel rolls. Electronics with thin cords must be put out of reach when they aren’t being used.
Cats are generally nocturnal. The result is that cats prefer to be more active during the night. If you are having a hard time sleeping because of your cats, close the door. This will ensure they don’t pounce on you at nighttime, or wake you up in other ways.
Adore your cat! They want warm companionship since that’s what they provide to you. Cats, just like people, want to feel like a loved part of a family. Socialization is important to them. They also like feeling important and a big member of the family.
Anytime you travel with a cat, their ears should be monitored. While you may like to crank up the stereo when you go cruising, your pet probably prefers you keep the volume down. Therefore, try lowering your music or turning it off in order for your cat to enjoy the trip more.
Put a cloth down in your cat’s eating area. Cat’s will often remove food from their bowl to eat it. This makes quite a mess. To simplify your clean up duties, place a ready made placemat under the dish or purchase some inexpensive fabric and use it like a tablecloth.
If you give your kids a kitten, provide them with firm boundaries at the same time. Let your kids know which rooms your cat is allowed in. Advise your children not to let the cat out if it is to be an indoor cat. Creating rules and boundaries will help the children learn what is allowed.
Brush your cat on a regular basis. This will help spread the natural oils within their fur while stimulating their skin’s blood flow. It also loosens hair that is about ready to fall out. Brushing eliminates the formation of hairballs which may choke your cat and lead to buildup of excess hair in the abdomen when the cat grooms himself.
You cat needs to get used to being in a carrier. Cats never respond to punishment the way that dogs do. They prefer encouragement instead. Give your cat a treat every time it does something well. Cats are natural explorers and sooner or later he will check it out. In the future, your cat will not get scared when you put him in the carrier.
Any pet can cost a lot to properly care for, and that is also true of cats. It can feel as though you’re actually caring for a child. As you now know, you can curtail the expenses of having cats while you still get to enjoy giving them good care.