Would you save the life of an animal if you could? There are millions of cats out there who are in need of a good home. When you plan to adopt one, read this article to learn how to care for it.
If you’re thinking of getting a cat for a pet, you should look to the local shelter. Shelters around the country are overflowing, and the cats there need more humans to help. Adoption fees often include things like spaying or neutering them, shots or other vet care. Besides, adopting a cat from an animal shelter means you are saving this cat’s life.
Your cat will want to climb into small spaces. If your cat wears a collar they might get hurt, and stuck. A breakaway collar let’s go if pulled on tightly. This will allow your cat to live another day if it gets tangled up.
If your cat goes outside, it is important to have a collar with a tag. Cats sometimes travel a bit when outside, and a tag prevents any mishaps due to your cat being lost. Be sure the name of your cat and your number can be found on the tag.
Generally, cats love to stay on the counter. Cats like to climb on things and a counter can look very inviting. It helps to provide your cat with certain high spaces where it is allowed. Placing a cat tower near the kitchen will help the cats to not lay on the counter.
Think about putting a microchip in your pet. Even cats who live completely indoors may someday decide to bolt out the door or escape out of a 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. Microchips are as small as a rice grain and have all of your important contact information. Most shelters have a scanner that can pick up the facts located inside the chip.
Litter Box
Don’t stress yourself out about instructing your cat on proper litter box usage. This is something that comes naturally and is not learned. Many people think rubbing a cat’s paws in litter will teach them to use the litter box, but it might actually traumatize them.
You should never punish your cat for not using the litter box. Many times this occurs because the box wasn’t well maintained. If you punish the cat, it may shy away from you at future times.
If you offer a variety of foods to your cat, it will be less picky about what it eats. Cats who eat the same food day after day either grow tired of it, or it becomes the only food that they will eat.
Purchase a drinking fountain for your cat to get water from. Cats who are in the wild prefer to drink from running water, and this holds true for domestic cats, as well. Cats seem to like a water stream better. Cats often like the running water more than their own bowl of water. A fountain will give them the same effect, and it is more environmentally friendly.
You should be proud that you are giving love to a cat. You’re providing affection and shelter to a create that needs it badly. This will most certainly cause a strong bond to form, lasting even longer than the animal is alive. If you give your cat love, you will get it in return.