There are usually obstacles that arise when you first buy a cat. When one adopts unprepared, bad things can happen. However, even with preparation, you can’t possibly hope to foresee every problem that these cute felines will cause. The following tips can put you in the best position as a caretaker.
Keep drape cords away from cats. Cats love to play with hanging cords and this poses the threat of your cat hurting themselves or becoming entangled. This could hurt or kill them. Keep your drape cords pinned out of sight to prevent this.
Cats need a certain amount of grooming to stay healthy and presentable. You have to make sure your cat gets brushed or combed often. This helps them keep their precious coat properly clean at all times. Doing this will also help alleviate hairballs and excessive shedding. Grooming a cat properly will improve the appearance of your home and cat.
Cats love to squeeze into tiny spots. They can get caught or stuck if they happen to be wearing a collar. A collar that is a breakaway model will detach itself if it gets pulled on. This could save your cat’s life if the collar gets caught in some branches.
To safely help an old cat feel comfortable, place a heated tile under its bed. Just get a tile and heat it up in the oven for a while to place under the cat’s bed. Keep the temperature of the oven at 200 degrees. You should wrap it with a towel and place it under the bed your cat uses. Change it frequently if you like.
Lessen the chances of your cat becoming harmed or killed by spraying all electric cords with something to keep them from chewing it. Bitter apple is a good choice and can be found at most pet stores. If they like to chew on cords, try covering them as much as 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). The cords on electronics should be hidden as well.
Most cats are very nocturnal. This means that they will be the most active at night time. If your cats keep you up at night, kick them out of the bedroom. This will keep them from pouncing on you and trying to play in the middle of the night.
If you get a cat for your kids, make sure to set clear boundaries in advance. Make sure your children know where in the house the cat is permitted to be. Make sure the kids know if your cat is indoors only. By getting these rules into place before having a cat, you’ll be sure that your children can understand.
Reconsider having an outdoor cat. The outside world is very dangerous for cats. You cat might pick up pests or fleas. It could be injured via a vehicle or another animal. If you think your pet needs to go outside, think about enclosing a back patio with metal mesh or some type of heavy screen to keep your cat inside, yet allow them to experience the outdoors.
Understand that leaving a small kitten together with small children can be dangerous to both. Children under five years old should always be supervised when interacting with a pet. Younger children cannot fully understand how to properly handle a small pet. Wait until your child gets older, and pay close attention to whether or not they’re mature enough to hold or handle a tiny pet.
Speak with other cat owners about any issues you may be having. Although you might want to take care of things on your own, advice from other people with cats can be a big help. The Internet has many cat forums where you can ask your questions, or simply speak with your vet.
Is your pet’s scratching post starting to look beat up? Don’t toss it out! When a post is worn, your cats may enjoy it more. Ditching the structure may alienate your cat, making it more likely to turn elsewhere in your home for its scratching needs.
Make canned food the mainstay of your cat’s diet. Dry foods are cheaper but canned foods are richer in vitamins and nutrients. That’s because this type of food provides your cat with more protein, good fat and water. It’s easier for older cats to chew as well. Ask your vet for more info, bun in general, canned food is much better for a number of reasons.
Your cat needs to always wear some tags on a collar. Even if yours is an indoor cat, this is still an important safety measure. Cats can slip out a door in a flash. The identification tags should contain your home phone number and the number for your veterinarian. This precaution is especially important when your cat has an existing medical condition.
Litter Box
If kitty stops using its litter box, pay attention. A common sign that a cat has a medical condition is failure to use the bathroom in the litter box. These problems are generally related to the kidneys and/or bladder. Talk to the vet when your cat goes to the bathroom where they shouldn’t.
Phenol is a dangerous chemical to use around your cat. This chemical is present in many household cleaners, such as Pine-Sol and Lysol. The smell is offensive to cats, and prolonged exposure can lead to liver problems.
You should never use medications designed for humans on your cat. If your cat is suffering from a medical condition, be sure and take them to a vet to get the proper medication. Using human medicine for your cat is harmful and can even cause their death.
Those quality-training tips are perfect for all breeds of cat, regardless of age or location. These tips are the basics concerning cat care, and individual circumstances will apply. Just remember to enjoy every minute with your adopted kitten no matter what.
