Cats are very interesting animals and you will love yours right away if you decide to adopt one. If you own a cat, it’s important that you know as much as possible about caring for your pet. Carefully read over this article to learn some excellent tips on raising a cat successfully.
Taking your cat in for regular check-ups at the veterinarian’s office is part of being a responsible pet owner. Cats require special shots to prevent illness and the vet can check their overall health. If you can, stick with one vet for your cat’s entire life. This ensures that your vet will have an excellent understanding of your pet’s medical history.
Cats love to get into tight, small spaces. If your cat gets caught on something wearing a traditional collar they could end up hurting their neck trying to break free. A breakaway collar will let go if it is pulled on too tightly. Purchasing one could be the difference between whether your cat lives or dies when he gets stuck.
Avoid using dog products on cats. Some can be quite dangerous, and even deadly, when used on a cat. This will especially be true if it’s a product for fleas. Some products designed for dogs could be harmful to your cat. You should keep your cats and dogs separated after using a flea treatment.
You may want to have a microchip implanted in 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. You can use a microchip instead; you can store your contact information in the chip and it will not bother your cat. Most vets and animal shelters will have a microchip scanner and because it’s under the animal’s skin it can never become lost.
Many times, cat meds can be purchased on the internet for less than they’d cost if you got them from your vet. Naturally, some stuff won’t be available online. However, if your pet gets regular prescriptions for a chronic or ongoing issue, you can often save up to 50 percent by shopping online.
Cats are usually great for kids, but smaller kids may be too rough with them. You need to show your children how the cat should be treated. Show them how to gently pick kitty up and what kinds of activities are appropriate. A cat’s bones can be quite fragile and they need to be treated gently.
Take care if you leave a kitten with youngsters. Under five, the child needs to be watched. Most of them simply aren’t mature enough to grasp the concept of danger to themselves or the animal. As kids age, you can then determine whether they are mature enough for small pets.
Speak to your peers about your cat issues. You may try to handle it yourself, but you might need input from other cat owners. The Internet has many cat forums where you can ask your questions, or simply speak with your vet.
Litter Box
If your cat dirties the space near his litter box, don’t punish them. The major cause of such accidents is usually because the litter box hasn’t been given the proper care. If your pet is punished, you won’t do anything but make it afraid of you.
Increase the variety of food that you give your cat. If you feed them the same cat food every day, they may not accept anything else. This makes it difficult to find food they’ll eat when a store runs out of a certain brand, or you are traveling.
Make sure your cat gets plenty of opportunities to play. Just like playtime is important for other types of pets, the same holds true for your cat, despite whatever their age happens to be. Although older cats won’t be as active as younger cats, they still need a little exercise. Make an effort to have playtime with your cat regularly.
Aired Cat
Think about the extra work before buying a long-haired cat. While long, silky hair is beautiful on a cat, the same fur appears far less beautiful covering your floor, dark clothing, and furniture. If you don’t mind cleaning, get a long-haired cat. Not to mention cats that have long hair are more prone to getting issues with hairballs.
As was mentioned in the opening paragraph of this article, cats make great pets. Knowing how to properly care for your cat is essential to make sure he has a long and happy life with you. Read on to learn all of this information. Your cat will love that you did.
