The famous poet T.S. Eliot wrote on cats. They bring warmth and a sense of happiness to the house. A healthy, well behaved cat can be a boon to any household. Unfortunately, cats aren’t always the easiest creatures to live with. Here are some tips on how you and your pet can better co-exist.
Have your cat see a vet frequently to keep good health. They should go at least once yearly for a check-up, and more often if they need any shots. If your cat is having a health issue or injury, they need to be seen by their vet right away.
Cats will often devote most of their time to grooming. Long-haired cats often develop hairballs. There is a special food on the market that does help out with hairball issues. There are foods on the market for cats that specifically deal with the hairball problems and are good for the cat.
Some male cats get urinary crystals, but this is preventable with proper diet. This problem is painful for the cat and to your wallet, as well. Feed your cat food that is low in magnesium. Check the label. Fish usually has more magnesium than poultry.
If you are traveling with a cat in tow, be aware of the noises in your car. They don’t want to hear you singing at the top of your lungs. Spare your cat’s sensitive hearing by keeping the volume down at all times.
Reconsider outside time for your cat. This can be something that isn’t very safe for a cat. The cat can get fleas or something much worse. It could be injured via a vehicle or another animal. If you still insist your cat be able to go outside, then do so in the fenced backyard.
Don’t leave a kitten with small kids. Younger children, especially under 5, cannot be left alone with your cat. Young children are not yet mature enough to realize what behaviors are dangerous to a cat. As your child matures, carefully consider whether a small pet is safe with them.
Never try to teach a cat to use a litter box. This is a natural instinct that cannot be taught. While some folks think you should pick up your cat and place their paws against the litter, this can actually be traumatic.
Frequent urination outside the litter box may indicate a visit to the vet is required. A change in where or how a cat urinates can signal a UTI or other health problem. Inexpensive antibiotics generally clear this right up.
There is more care to consider with long-haired cats. While the long hair on a cat is beautiful, it doesn’t look so beautiful all over your home. Unless you’re committed to taking care of the furry mess, avoid getting cat with long hair. More, and longer hair, usually means more hairballs too.
Litter Box
Be mindful of where you place the litter box. Many cat owners feel inclined to hide the litter box. However, it is important to keep their litter box in an area they can easily get to. Cats are quite finicky, so it is important to make their bathroom environment appealing them them or risk messes throughout the house. Keep this in mind when deciding on the permanent placement for your best friend’s potty.
When your cat is due to deliver babies, ensure that she has a comfortable area with some space. It can take several hours for the process to unfold and all kittens to be born, so be prepared to spend some time with your cat. If, after six hours, you think there are still kittens stuck inside your pet, a trip to the vet is in order.
If you’re dealing with a cat that won’t use the litter box, you should place it somewhere else. The cat instinctively feels vulnerable when using the litter box, so make sure it’s in a location that’s totally quiet and safe. A basement, laundry room, or another area that doesn’t experience much household traffic is the ideal spot for the litter box.
Put a breakaway collar on a cat with an engraved tag. Even house cats run the risk of getting loose. Fitting your cat with a tag and collar greatly increases the chance that your cat will make it home safely.
Chemicals containing phenol shouldn’t be anywhere near your cat. A lot of household cleaners have this in them, so you should read the labels before using them around your cat. Not only do cats intensely dislike the smell, the chemical can also cause liver damaged if they are exposed to it for a lengthy time.
If your cat has been declawed, outdoors should be off-limits. An outdoor cat who has been declawed cannot defend itself as well without claws; therefore, you are putting your cat in extreme danger. Indoor cats are the only ones that you should declaw. The front claws should be the only ones removed. The back claws are left because these won’t scratch your furniture or floors.
Human Medication
Don’t give cats human medication. When your cat has health issues, they should be taken to their vet, who will give them any medication they need. When you make the mistake of giving any type of human medication to your cat, it can kill them or cause them some other type of grave medical misfortune.
Watch out for panting. Panting is dogs is normal. Panting in a cat possibly indicates something serious is going on. Contacting your veterinarian is a good idea, particularly for cats that have built up a history of respiratory difficulties over time.
Keep your cat on a diet of dry food if at all possible. Small kittens do well on wet food, since their teeth are small. However, as their teeth grow, the hardness of dry food allows their teeth to get stronger. You can also mix wet and dry food together if your cat is really picky.
Being the owner of a cat isn’t always the easiest thing to be, but it is very rewarding. Whether your cat is a lazy ball of fur or an active ball of hair, it needs proper care. Soon, you’ll be hearing less meows and more purrs.