Cats are definitely mercurial creatures. They can ignore you for hours, only to suddenly demand your undivided attention. Through all the confusion, you cannot overstate the joy of a purring, happy cat. Ahead is some great advice to bring you more joy from your cat.
Spay your cat as soon as she is old enough. Whether or not she typically goes outside, she may escape while in heat and you might have kittens! Having your cat spayed is the only way to 100 percent prevent accidental litters.
Cat’s claws can really put a dent in your furniture. A kitty tower can really save your furniture. Put cat nip on it to attract them to it. They may not take to it overnight, but they should eventually.
Get a microchip for your cat. Even indoor cats get out sometimes. Although collars and tags are beneficial, some cats may even wiggle out of them. Microchips are extremely small, but they can hold all the same information as an identification tag. They are impossible for your pet to lose, and most vets and shelters have equipment that can read these chips.
Create a tablecloth for the feline. Often cats prefer moving food from a bowl onto the floor to eat. This makes quite a mess. It’s easier to clean up this food by purchasing a placement and inserting it under your cat’s food bowl, or you could simply cut some fabric and make it into a tablecloth so you can easily pick up the food and throw it away.
If your cat experiences major problems, don’t be afraid to talk to other cat owners. Advice from other people can be very beneficial for you. Your local veterinarian can be a valuable source of information, but there is also help available online by joining user forums geared toward cat owners.
If your cat dirties the space near his litter box, don’t punish them. They’re doing it because the box is too dirty, or they may be sick. Punishing your cat will just make them afraid of you later on.
Get your cat accustomed to a carrier. Understand that cats don’t react to punishment as well as dogs. Cats learn well when they feel encouraged. Inside the carrier, put a favorite toy and blanket. Leave it open in an area the cat will see. Over time the cat will not be stressed about the carrier and will enter it voluntarily. In the future, your cat will not get scared when you put him in the carrier.
Feed your cat high-quality cat food. Look at the ingredients and make sure protein like fish, chicken, or beef is near the top. Some foods contain a lot of fillers like corn products, don’t buy those. Cats are carnivores so it is important for them to get enough animal protein in their diet.
Give your cat canned food. Food that is dry is cheaper but canned food is better for your cat’s health. There is more water in canned food and more protein and fat too. Canned food is much easier to chew for older cats. Be sure to ask your vet about your pet’s food; however, canned food is usually the best for your cat.
Frequent or misdirected urination may warrant a trip to your vet’s office. Cats sometimes behave like this if they have a urinary infection or other medical problem. In many cases, cheap antibiotics will resolve the problem and keep your cat healthy.
Prior to adopting any long-haired cat, make sure you understand the extra work involved. Long-haired cats shed constantly, and the fur ends up on your clothing, floors, and everything else in your home. Unless you’re committed to taking care of the furry mess, avoid getting cat with long hair. Long haired cats often have hairball problems.
Do not use chemicals around your cat that contain phenol. Lysol and Pine-Sol are two examples of products that contain this chemical. The smell from this chemical is disliked by cats. Also, when exposed to phenol for too long, it can cause issues with their liver.
Don’t send a declawed cat outdoors for long periods of time. Since the cat is not able to adequately defend himself from attack, there is a risk of serious injury. Indoor cats are the only ones that may be declawed. Even so, only remove the front claws when you do so. A cat’s back claws are important to his balance.
Be aware of any panting. Panting is dogs is normal. If your cat is panting it may be overheated or having anxiety. It may also be something that is a lot more serious than those things. Talk to a vet right away when panting persists.
Cats are not always easy to figure out, but they certainly can make loyal friends if you let them. Take what you learned here and use it as a guide to help you better understand how to make a cats life better. Healthy and happy cats that are loved by owners are good friends to live with.