Cats are intriguing animals and can make wonderful pets. Their independence makes them perfect if you are not always at home due to a busy schedule. Use what you will learn here to make sure your cat has a enjoyable and healthy life.
Never use any product intended for dogs on a cat. This can irritate your cat or cause an allergic reaction. Flea products can be especially harmful. Flea products meant for dogs can seriously harm or kill a cat. Keep them separated by at least one door for a few hours after treatment.
Keeping cats from a counter really can be tough. A cat will naturally want to be high enough to view everything around them. Provide your cat with a few high places it can uses. A cat tower near your kitchen can give them a place to watch you that is out of the way.
Think about getting a microchip for your feline friend. Even an indoor cat may find a way out of your home. A collar with tags increases your chances of getting your cat back if it gets lost but it can also be a risk, for instance if it gets snagged in some branches. Microchips are very small, approximately as large as a single grain of rice. Although they are small, they can hold your entire 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 partially nocturnal. This means their behavior is quite active during the night. Close the door to prevent the noise from getting to you. This will reduce the frequency that they wake you up.
Buying Online
Often, the best cat medicine deals are found online. In emergency situations, buying online may not be a good option. For more routine situations, saving 50% by buying online is quite possible.
While usually cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Make sure your child knows how to treat a cat. Children need to know how to hold a cat and what sorts of play a cat likes. Cats should be handled more gently since their bones are more fragile than those of dogs.
Do you have both a dog and a cat? Dogs often take advantage of dining on the cat’s food. That’s why you should place your cat’s food in a place which is hard for your dog to reach. In doing so, you prevent spats and spitting over competition for water.
Don’t try to show your feline how to go in the litter box. This is a natural instinct that cannot be taught. A lot of people think that they can take their cat and try to rub their cat’s paws on the litter, but this may just traumatize the cat.
Litter Box
Never punish the cat if he or she causes a mess outside the litter box. If your cat makes a mess, it’s probably because their litter box is not properly cared for. If you get mad, they’ll never use the box again.
Acclimate your cat to a cat carrier. Cats do not respond in the same way dogs do to punishment. Most of the time, it is better to use positive reinforcement. Inside the carrier, put a favorite toy and blanket. Leave it open in an area the cat will see. In time, the cat will head inside and be happy. Transporting your cat inside the carrier will then become much easier.
If you want to buy a second cat, prepare for some time where the cats will be familiarizing themselves with each other. They might hide from each other or hit each other. Cats usually learn to enjoy having a companion or at least put up with another one in their home.
Frequent or misdirected urination may warrant a trip to your vet’s office. This behavior may be indicative of an infection of the urinary tract or some other issue. Some inexpensive antibiotics can clear up a potentially dangerous illness.
If you want a cat with long hair, be prepared to put in extra time and care. Cats are beautiful with hair that is long and silky. Your clothes, floors and furniture aren’t. You should not get a cat with long-hair unless you are ready to do a lot of cleaning. Long haired cats often have hairball problems.
Have your cat sport a collar that includes information regarding the owner’s name, address and telephone number. Your indoor pet might even get out if you leave a window open. Should this occur, your cat can be returned to you or someone can contact you with his whereabouts.
Cats are wonderful pets due to their independence and intelligence. However, you must know how to properly care for them. Use the above tips to become a great cat owner. Educating yourself properly will improve the quality of the time you share with your cat for both of you.
