Cats are great pets and fascinating creatures. Cats are very independent animals, but they still need you to take good care of them. You can improve the quality and quantity of your cat’s years by following the guidelines below.
Check with your shelter before you purchase a cat. Shelters have lots of great cats available, and your adoption fee often covers key veterinary services. Adopting your cat through a shelter means you are helping to control the cat population and saving a life at the same time.
Your home likely has no small spaces a curious cat won’t want to investigate. If they have a collar on, this can be dangerous. If your pet is wearing a breakaway collar, it’ll detach if it’s pulled too hard. This can keep your cat alive.
Prevent your cat from getting zapped by coating exposed wires with bitter apple. If your cat still prefers to chew on cords, then you have to make sure they stay covered. 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). If you have rarely used electronics, put them up when you aren’t using them.
Most cats spend a large amount of time on grooming themselves. If your cat is long haired, this may cause hairballs. Special food can help. Certain cat foods are made just for decreasing hairballs, benefiting both your cat and yourself.
Male cats often develop crystals in their bladder that come out in their urine. This can be prevented with a proper diet. Passing those crystals hurts and having this corrected by a vet is expensive. Choose foods low in magnesium for your cat. Just as in the grocery store, take the time to read the labels. Fish products can have more magnesium when compared to poultry.
Check prices online for your cat’s medication to see if they are cheaper than at your vet’s office. If it’s an emergency, buying online may not be an option. However, for standard medications, like flea medications or heart worm pills, online sources offer a substantial savings to pet owners.
Cover the area around your cat’s bowl with a cloth. Cats often take food from their bowls to eat on the side. This makes quite a mess. A simpler way to do this is by getting a place-mat and placing it under their bowl. You can also cut some fabric to make a tablecloth that can be lifted, washed, or shaken over a trash can.
You should try your hardest to figure out the reason that you are hearing your cat meow. After living with your cat for long, it’s easier to interpret its meows. Your cat could be hungry or thirsty, or it may want to leave the house. You should pay attention to these cues and you will eventually learn to decipher them.
Cats are independent and intelligent house pets. If you are going to take responsibility for a cat, it is important for you to know as much as you can about felines. Study the information contained in this article very carefully to learn how to be an ideal cat owner. Do this to ensure your cat has an enjoyable life.