If you know what to do to care for your cat, then the cat makes a great pet. Education on the best way to care for a cat is the most important step in cat ownership. This article is like a Rosetta Stone of cat care information.
You need to take your pet to the vet on a regular basis. Your vet will provide your cat with the shots it needs to prevent disease. Your vet can also check the overall health of your cat. If you find a vet you are comfortable with, use them for the duration of your cat’s life. This ensures that your vet knows your cat’s medical history.
If you have an outdoor kitty, make sure to invest in a break away collar with an identification tag. Cats can travel far, and a tag will help you find the cat easier if they get lost. At the very least, you should include your contact info and the name of your cat on the tag.
Deter cats from shocking themselves on electrical wires by spraying them with bitter apple. Keep your cords covered if you feel like your cat is hellbent on chewing them. If you have loose electrical cords, you can bundle them up and stow them away in a cardboard tube (think toilet paper or paper towel rolls). If you have rarely used electronics, put them up when you aren’t using them.
Microchip your cat. Even indoor cats can decide to run away at a moment’s notice, escaping through an open window. Even if you put a collar or tag on your cat, be careful as they can wiggle out of these very easily and can be dangerous if they get caught on a foreign object like a tree branch. A microchip about as big as a grain of rice and holds all the contact information your cat needs. They are impossible for your pet to lose, and most vets and shelters have equipment that can read these chips.
Do your best to determine why your cat is meowing. By paying attention, you should eventually learn why your cat is meowing. Your cat might need food or might want to go out. Getting to know your cats cues will help you to interpret her meows.
Is your cat peeing all the time, sometimes in places that it shouldn’t? If so, you should talk to your veterinarian. Sometimes, abnormal urination habits indicate an infection of the urinary tract. A potentially serious illness can be prevented with some inexpensive antibiotics.
If you have a cat who won’t use the litter box, try moving it someplace else. A cat has instincts that tell it when it goes to the bathroom it is vulnerable. This is why a box should be placed in an area that is quiet and safe. The best places are basements and laundry rooms.
When dogs are excited or happy, they will wag their tails when they see their owners. Cats move their tails for a very different reason. A cat wags its tail when it is upset. If you notice you cat begin to wag his tail when you are holding him, put him down to be sure you are not scratched or swatted.
Keep your cat indoors as much as possible, close to home and near its owner. It has been proven that indoor cats have a much longer life span than cats that live outdoors. If you want to give your indoor cat some outdoor time, exercise with them. That way, your cat gets some fresh air, sunshine and outdoor scenery without the risks of free-roamers.
If your feline has hairball issues, and there’s been no help from brushing, try these tips out. You can try blending a spoon of pumpkin into her food. You can mix the pumpkin with a bit of water from a can of tuna. Find a cat food with some extra fibers or another anti-hairball ingredient to get rid of this problem.
Quickly Become
An overfed cat will quickly become ill. If your cat gets more food than he needs, then he will quickly become obese which can lead to more serious health issues. Carefully monitor your cat’s portions to make sure they eat a balanced diet.
Cats are popular pets but they need to be cared for properly. In order to become a good cat owner, check out the advice contained in this article and take it to heart. As long as you put this knowledge to you, your cat will love you every day.