A few purrs, a smart animal and a delightful companion. These are some of the great characteristics of a cat. Cats can take a lot of work and this article can help you out. This article contains cat tips that are essential to your cat’s happiness, and therefore your own. Continue reading!
Cat claws are one of the worst enemies of your home and furniture. If you find your cat tearing up things around your home, buy a scratching post or cat tower. Encourage them to scratch that instead. Although this may take time, your cat should eventually claw the device rather than your furniture.
Don’t allow your cat to get bored too often. Just like dogs, cats need playtime and physical exercise, too. But many cat owners ignore that need. Bored cats can really be a problem. They can have health issues, OCD, and even depression. Give them time and space where they can exercise and toys they can play with. If they’re an indoor cat, get them an object to climb on or a scratching post.
Be sure to show your cat affection as much as possible. Cats need companionship as much as we do. Like people, cats like to socialize and need to feel like they’re an essential part of your life. They want to feel like a valuable, happy family member, too.
Your cat has sensitive ears, especially in the car when they’re stressed out. You may think it’s a good idea to listen to loud music on your stereo, but cats generally don’t enjoy this. Keep the music turned down or off when taking your cat on a trip.
There needs to be set boundaries with your children and a new kitty. Make sure your kids know where the cat can be. If you want to have an indoor cat, explain to your children that they cannot let it go outside. Establishing these boundaries ahead of time prevents any confusion.
Use care if you have kids and a cat. Kids under five should not be left alone with a pet. They’re not really mature enough to know how dangerous a kitten can be. When children get a little older, they develop the skills needed to be around small animals.
You can tap fellow cat owners for advice if you’re having problems with your pet. You can solve most problems by yourself, but you might benefit from the experience of others. There are many online cat forums that you can visit and ask some questions. If necessary, you may need to call your veterinarian.
Acclimate your cat to its carrier. Punishment affects cats differently from dogs. Encouragement is more likely to get them to respond. Place a loved blanket and favorite toy into a carrier and then leave the door open. Make sure it’s in an area that the cat frequents. Your cat will want to inspect the carrier and probably enjoy hiding inside. Then, you will have no problem using the carrier.
While a torn up scratching post might look unattractive, do not get rid of it. While it doesn’t appear clean and new, your cat probably thinks otherwise. For a cat, it is comfortable and familiar. Even if you throw it away and buy a new one, your cat may opt for tearing up your upholstery instead.
Consider getting your cat a fountain to drink from. A cat will always drink from running water if possible. A constant stream of water will entice them to stay hydrated. Really, there are many cats that would much prefer to drink from a running sink faucet as opposed to their own bowl. A drinking fountain is a more environmentally-friendly way to allow them to drink naturally.
Never use chemicals that have phenol in it near your cat. This is something that’s often in Pine-sol, Lysol, and other popular cleaners. The smell is something that cats don’t like, and it also can lead to liver damage if it is used around your cats for a long period of time.
Pay attention to panting from your cat. Panting is dogs is normal. If a cat is panting, it might indicate simple anxiety or overheating. On the other hand, it may a symptom of a more serious health problem. Contacting your veterinarian is a good idea, particularly for cats that have built up a history of respiratory difficulties over time.
One easy way to prevent a lot of potential feline health problems down the road is to refrain from over-feeding your cat. It can lead to obesity, diabetes and other health related problems. Carefully monitor your cat’s portions to make sure they eat a balanced diet.
Put tape that’s sticky onto your furniture. This can deter your cat from scratching the upholstery. Some stores for pets have special tape for this situation. You can put this tape on your furniture and get a scratching post to get your cat out of this habit.
Cats can be prone to a lot of the same illnesses you get. Pay attention to changes in your cat’s mood and behavior as they may be a sign your cat is feeling poorly. It is important to have your cat checked out at the vet. The vet can reassure you that your cat isn’t seriously ill.
Now that you have read this article, you should have a few ideas you can start using in your home. You will become a much better cat owner once you start applying these tips. Your cat will soon be happier and in better shape thanks to the efforts you put into caring for it. Try these tips and you’ll see the results.