Though it is great to have a chat, they can also be pricy. Litter, toys, food and vet bills all add up. Read on to find out what it takes to care for your cat.
Make sure you keep all the recommended appointments with your cat’s veterinarian. Cats require special shots to prevent illness and the vet can check their overall health. Try to keep the same vet during the life of your pet. That way, the doctor will be familiar with the history of your cat.
Prevent your cat from chewing on electrical cords by spraying bitter apple on them. If your cat likes to chew cords, hide the cords as best you can. Tuck loose cords into old toilet paper or paper towel rolls. Electronics with thin cords must be put out of reach when they aren’t being used.
Generally, cats love to stay on the counter. Cats instinctively want to be at a high vantage point so they can survey their surroundings. You can try to combat this problem by designating some high-up places for your cat to hang out. One way to keep your cats from continuously jumping on the counter is to install a cat tower near the problem counter.
Pick the right location for your cat’s litter box. The box should be out of the high traffic areas and a good distance from where your cat eats. Choose an area that is well-ventilated to avoid bad smells. Both you and your cat will reap its benefits.
Cats enjoy high places. To keep your cat healthy, provide your cat with a high place to sit. If you don’t want a large cat tree in your home, a sturdy shelf cleared of breakables will work in a pinch. You can even lay down a blanket to give your kitty some comfort.
Vary your cat’s diet just a tiny bit to keep them from being picky. If they start eating just one type of food without variation, they are sure to grow finicky.
Feed canned food to your cat. It sometimes has more benefits over dry. Canned food provides more water content for your cat as well as more fat and protein. For older feline’s, it’s also quite a lot easier to chew. Ask your vet, though canned food is often better for your cat.
Getting a second cat is usually beneficial to both, but you have to give the two cats a few weeks to get acclimated to each other. The cats might hiss, swat and hide from each other at first. After the initial period though, they should start to settle and begin to get along like old friends.
Litter Box
If you notice that your cat has stopped using its litter box, you’ll want to contact your vet. If your cat refuses to use its litter box, there may be an underlying health concern. These conditions include kidney and bladder problems. Speak with a veterinarian if you have a cat that has these issues.
If kitty won’t use the litter box, try moving it. Cats often don’t go to the bathroom when they feel vulnerable, so move the litter box somewhere quiet. Try rooms that are less used, such as a basement or utility room.
Don’t give your cat medicine intended for humans. Only use medicine that has been prescribed or recommended by a vet. You could unintentionally kill your beloved pet if you use medications designed for humans.
Are hairballs posing a serious problem for your cat, and additional brushing does not help to reduce them? Use pumpkin in your cat’s food to help with digestion. You may also use some tuna packing water to mix with your pumpkin. There are foods that inhibit hairballs which have fiber in them. They might take care of the issue.
Make sure that your cat is eating dry food when possible. As kittens, cats need moist food to accommodate small teeth. When the adult teeth develop, dry, hard food will help make teeth stronger. If you have a cat that is a picky eater, try combining dry cat food with a wet version.
Since cats can catch many diseases outside, such as rabies or fungal infections, plan on keeping your pet cat inside. While issues can affect your cat while inside as well, you run the risk of more when you offer outside as an option.
You need to take the cat for particular thighs, and it can get costly. Much money can be saved if you purchase the cat’s medicine online. These can be delivered right to your doorstep, immediately. This can be great for monthly medications and flea treatments.
Many cat owners think that they need to give their cats baths in order to prevent them from getting dirty. Unless the cat is extremely dirty, giving a cat a bath is not recommended. Cats clean themselves, after all. Cats are very particular about their appearance!
It is important to make sure your cat has flee and tick medication. Monthly medication drops are very good at preventing flea and tick problems. These parasites can spread diseases to your cat and leech blood from their body. The medications prevent this. Use only products that are purpose-formulated for feline use in order to give your cat the protection it needs.
If you bring a new pet into your house it can make your cat upset at first. It is best to keep the other animal away from your cat at first. Have kitty get used to the different smell. After a while, introduce the new pet to the family cat.
Pets can be expensive to care for, and cats are no exception. Cats have complex requirements, which leads many people to compare their needs to those of a small child. As you have learned here, there are ways you can make caring for your cat easier and more fun.
