Popular poet T.S. Eliot described felines as a being that all households are dependent on, and that’s true. A well behaved and healthy cat can enhance any household. If you’ve spent any amount of time browsing the Internet, you probably know that cats aren’t always that agreeable. This advice will make it easier to live a happy life with your cat.
If you want to add a cat to your family, go to the shelter first to see what is available. Shelters usually have many cats who need a home, and the fees typically include their shots and spaying or neutering. Adopting your cat at a shelter allows you to save a cat’s life while also helping mitigate overpopulation.
Flea Products
You shouldn’t ever use products designed to be used on dogs on your cat. Cats don’t like dog products. Flea products should not be used on cats in any circumstance. Your cat may die if you use dog flea products on it. In fact, your cat should be kept away from your dog for several hours after the dog has been treated for fleas.
A cat’s claws can cause lots of damage to your home. You need to get a scratching post or a cat tower to prevent your cat from ruining your furniture. Teach your cat to scratch this instead of the legs of a couch or sofa. It may take some time and some corrections, but it can usually eliminate the problem.
You may want to have a microchip put into your car. Even indoor cats can decide to run away at a moment’s notice, escaping through an open window. Cats can get out of a collar or, worse, have that collar choke them to death. A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and can hold all of your contact information. Many vets and shelters have scanners that can read these chips and since they lie under their skin, they won’t get lost.
Male cats can develop crystals that form in their urine, so prevent this with the right food. Just like kidney stones, these crystals are painful and vet bills are pricey. To stop this from happening, make sure your cat’s food doesn’t have much magnesium in it. Be sure that you read the label. Fish-based foods usually contain more magnesium than poultry-based foods.
Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. Make sure everyone understands which parts of the house the cat is not allowed in. If you’re planning to have an indoor cat, explain to your children that the cat is not allowed to be outside. Creating rules and boundaries will help the children learn what is allowed.
Understand that leaving a small kitten together with small children can be dangerous to both. Children under five years of age should not be left alone with a kitten. A child of that age doesn’t realize when they are being too rough with a pet. As your child matures, carefully consider whether a small pet is safe with them.
Cat Owners
You can tap fellow cat owners for advice if you’re having problems with your pet. Other cat owners may have had experience with what you’re going through right now. Use the Internet to share tips with other cat owners and ask your questions or talk with your neighbors, friends or veterinarian.
Never punish a cat for a mess outside of its box. Usually, this sort of thing happens when the box isn’t being tended to properly. The cat will be fearful of you if you punish it.
Stay current on your cat’s exams and vaccinations. Not unlike kids, kittens require vaccinations and check ups every so often so that they do not get sick. When you have a cat, it becomes a member of your family, so you’ll want to ensure that it’s as healthy as possible.
Put a breakaway collar on a cat with an engraved tag. Cats who stay indoors could still get out. If your cat does get out, make sure that it can get home.
Any chemicals that have phenol should be kept away from your cat. Many household cleaners, like Pine-Sol and Lysol, contain this chemical. Your little friends find this smell completely offensive. Even worse it can cause liver damage over time.
Outdoor Cats
Your cat should stay inside most of the time, and when it’s outside, you should ensure it remains close to home. Research has shown that indoor cats have longer life spans than outdoor cats. Outdoor cats can be attacked by other animals and exposed to many harmful influences. Play with your cat daily to give it adequate exercise.
Owning a cat can be difficult, but it can also be really rewarding. If you have an active cat, or one more on the laid back side, the tips in this article can help you get along better with your pet. Before long, you’ll be seeing positive changes in your cats.