A cat can make a wonderful addition to your family. Before going out and getting a cat, you should learn a little about them first. If you have never owned a cat before, read these tips for important information.
Cats often view small spaces as a fun challenge. If you keep a collar on your pet, getting stuck in one of these spaces can be very dangerous. Purchase breakaway collars that will give if they are yanked tightly. This can save all “nine” of your cat’s lives.
Taking your cat to the vet is part of being a responsible pet owner. Your cat should have a health check yearly, but should go in more if your cat needs shots. Never hesitate to have your cat checked out if you think that something is wrong; remember that your cat can not tell you they are not feeling well.
A tagged collar is essential if you let your cat outside regularly. This can help if your cat becomes lost while wandering in the great outdoors. Even if the tag just has your phone number, it can be the difference between your pet coming home and being lost forever.
The litter box for your cat needs to be in a good location. Don’t put it close to your cat’s food or in an area that gets too much traffic. Put it in a ventilated area to reduce odors. Your kitty will thank you.
Male cats can develop crystals that form in their urine, so prevent this with the right food. This problem is painful for the cat and to your wallet, as well. Your cat’s food should be low in magnesium. Consult the ingredient list. Poultry products are typically lower in magnesium than fish products.
Find cat medicine online if you want to get discounts. Online prescriptions are not the best choice if you do not have the time to wait on a mail order, such as in a medical emergency. However, if you buy meds for your cat on a regular basis, you can save huge amounts by getting medication via the Internet.
If you’re taking kitty on a road trip, don’t play loud music. You cat is used to being at home and it might shock him to hear you singing at the top of your lungs. This means that you should keep your music turned down or off so the cat can relax.
Cats like to be up high. For very happy cats, give them a safe place where they can look around at their surroundings. If a cat tree is not in your future, providing a stable shelving unit with no small items on it will do very well. Providing a blanket or bed for your cat is an extra treat for them.
Don’t try and teach your kitty how the litter box is supposed to be used. They do this by nature and don’t need to be taught. Don’t force your cat into the box or you will traumatize them.
You don’t want to punish a cat if they do their business outside of their litter box. If this happens, it may be because you have not kept the box as clean as you should. Punishing your cat will make it afraid of being close to you.
Make sure to give your cats different types of food so that they aren’t as finicky. When you give the same thing day after day, it becomes boring.
Your cat deserves a high quality food. You should check the ingredients and make sure the food you give your cat includes a healthy source of protein, such as chicken, fish or beef. Try avoiding foods that have non-protein elements like corn. Since cats are carnivorous, they require animal protein to stay in the best health.
You should give your cat at least three weeks to grow used to the presence of a new animal. They may be leery of each other at first and fight. Eventually they are going to get used to each other, and they may even end up becoming best friends.
Some foods that you like to consume daily might not be good for your cat to eat. Some of these include onions, grapes, garlic and green tomatoes. Your cat can get sick after eating these foods. Milk can too. It can give your cat stomach pains.
Never use chemicals that have phenol in it near your cat. Lysol and Pine-Sol are two examples of products that contain this chemical. The smell from this chemical is disliked by cats. Also, when exposed to phenol for too long, it can cause issues with their liver.
Do not let a declawed cat outside. They won’t be able to protect themselves against other animals, and they run the risk of getting seriously injured. Only indoor cats should be declawed. If you do choose to have your cat declawed, only the front claws should be removed. Don’t have the back claws removed, since cats don’t use them to scratch up your house.
Don’t ever give your cat medicine created for humans. If they have health issues, see a vet and give them what they provide. Providing your cat with a human medication can seriously harm them, and it just might kill them.
It’s good to keep your cat well fed, but overfeeding can cause a number of health problems. Overfeeding your cat may cause it to become obese and develop serious medical issues. Carefully monitor your cat’s portions to make sure they eat a balanced diet.
Getting a cat is great decision. They offer lots of comfort and can be stress relievers. However, caring for them properly is vital to their long term life and happiness. Use these tips to achieve a great relationship.