Although cats make great pets, they can be expensive. There are many things you will need to pay for, such as cat litter, food, toys and trips to the vet. Check out the tips provided below to gain a little insight on being a responsible cat owner.
Be certain your cat has regular vet visits. Your cat should have a health check yearly, but should go in more if your cat needs shots. Make vet appointments immediately if your cat has a medical condition or has become injured.
Spray bitter apple on electrical cords. If the cat likes to chew on cords, its best to cover them as best you can. If you have loose electrical cords, you can bundle them up and stow them away in a cardboard tube (think toilet paper or paper towel rolls). Put your electronics away so your cat is not tempted to chew on the cords.
A microchip will allow you to find your pet if it is lost. Even indoor cats get out sometimes. A tagged collar might help get kitty home, but it can just as easily come off if snagged on a branch. Microchips are tiny and contain all your contact information. Most vets and animal shelters will have a microchip scanner and because it’s under the animal’s skin it can never become lost.
Cats are frequently nocturnal in their habits. They get very active at night. Close your bedroom door if your cat is driving you nuts at night. This can keep them from waking you up at night and from pouncing on feet under the blankets.
Your cat needs to be shown lots of love. Most cats crave the same warmth and companionship they give their owners. Without love, cats may not socialize with your family. They need to feel as though they are an important part of the family, as well.
If you take your cat with you when you travel, be mindful of their ears. You may love belting out your favorite tunes as you drive on the freeway, but your cat probably enjoys softer sounds. To keep your cat calm and collected over the course of your trip, keep the stereo low – or perhaps off entirely.
Cats can be great pets for children, but some younger children may be a bit too rough with cats. Guide your kids in handling a feline. The objective is to be as gentle as possible with your cat. Cats have weaker bones than dogs so should be treated carefully.
If your cat is excessively meowing, try to figure out why. After living with your cat for long, it’s easier to interpret its meows. The cat may want something to eat or to get let out. Look for the cues and you’ll be much more in tune with your pet.
Litter Box
Avoid spending too much time trying to train your cat to utilize its litter box. This should come naturally for your cat. You cannot teach it to do this. Some individuals believe they should carry their cat to the litter box and rub paws into the litter. This actually can be quite traumatic for a cat.
If your cat dirties the space near his litter box, don’t punish them. When this occurs, it tends to be because the box is not being maintained properly. If you attempt to punish your pet, you may cause fear and resentment–and more accidents!
Get your feline acclimated to its carrier. Introducing your cat to a carrier as a kitten can really help to make this easier. They like responding to encouragement better. Put their favorite toy and blanket in a carrier. Leave it somewhere they always go to. Eventually, the cat will go into the carrier naturally and feel comfortable. As the cat becomes used to being in the carrier, it will become easier to transport them in it.
Don’t toss an older scratching post just because it looks worn. To your cat the post is just right. If you replace it with something new, your pet might seek out something a little more worn to scratch – like your furniture.
Purchase high quality food for your cat. Look at the ingredients and make sure protein like fish, chicken, or beef is near the top. Try to avoid foods that consist of corn, or other non-protein elements. Cats are naturally carnivorous. If you want to keep them healthy and happy, you need to feed them plenty of animal protein.
When you bring a second cat into your home, allow a few weeks for the two to adjust to each other. They might hide from each other or hit each other. Eventually they will grow accustomed to it and start tolerating or even enjoying each other’s company.
Cat Urinates
If you notice that your cat urinates very frequently, you should take it to the vet. A change in where or how a cat urinates can signal a UTI or other health problem. Antibiotics will often do the trick if it is an infection.
Pets can be pricy to care for and cats aren’t an exception. The care they need is similar to that of children. As you can see, it is possible to save money while still taking excellent care of your pet cat.