There are so many joys you can get from just having a cat. However, you should keep in mind that being a cat owner takes a lot of effort. If you own a cat, there are a number of things you should know about. This article highlights some of the jobs that you will have. Keep reading to learn all you can.
Spay your female cat. This is true even if you think your cat is indoors only. One escape can lead to a lot of small kittens around! Having your cat spayed is the only way to 100 percent prevent accidental litters.
Make sure your cat sees a vet regularly to maintain their good health. Cats need routine annual check-ups and possibly additional ones as well for vaccinations. Cats must see their vet right away if they start having health issues, injuries or other problems.
It’s not easy to keep cats off counters. A cat will naturally want to be high enough to view everything around them. Provide your cat with a few high places it can uses. A cat tower near your kitchen can give them a place to watch you that is out of the way.
Normally cats are nocturnal animals. This means their behavior is quite active during the night. Shut the door to your bedroom. This helps to muffle the sounds of nighttime play. This will prevent them from entering your sleeping space and awakening you.
Put the litter box in an ideal location. Never put the box near your cat’s food, and pick a quiet place away from areas that are heavily used. Also, minimize the smell by making sure it is a well ventilated area. You and your cat will greatly appreciate this.
Give your kitty lots of love. They want warm companionship since that’s what they provide to you. Like humans, cats want to feel wanted and needed. They wish to be a happy and valuable family member.
If you are traveling with a cat in tow, be aware of the noises in your car. You and your cat probably have different ideas about the ideal volume for the car stereo, for instance: Remember that your cat’s hearing is more sensitive than yours. Therefore, the volume of your music should be minimized, and turn it off completely if necessary.
A tablecloth for the feeding area can be quite useful. Sometimes cats prefer to remove food from their bowls and eat it from the floor. If this happens, you’ll have to clear away any excess food that’s left outside. Use a placemat under your cat’s bowl or cut some fabric to create a small tablecloth. Shake the placemat or cloth over the garbage regularly.
You should think again before allowing your cat to go outside. Your cat might not be safe outside. You cat might pick up pests or fleas. There’s the chance that your pet could be harmed by other animals or passing vehicles. When your cats go outside, keep an eye out to make sure they do not wander too far away.
Regularly brush your cat’s hair. Brushing improves the circulation of your cat and helps spread natural oils in the fur. Additionally, brushing helps to expedite hair shedding. Avoid the choking that can be a result of hairballs which slowly build up as your cat grooms himself.
Do not discipline your cat if it makes a mess outside its litter box. When this occurs, it tends to be because the box is not being maintained properly. If you get mad, they’ll never use the box again.
Plan on spending the money for good cat food that contains the nutrients that your cat needs. Ensure that the food your cat eats is very high in protein. Some foods contain a lot of fillers like corn products, don’t buy those. Cats are meant to eat meat, and that means that they need to have foods that are high in protein.
It’s important for your cat to get plenty of playtime. Just like playtime is important for other types of pets, the same holds true for your cat, despite whatever their age happens to be. Older cats do not have the same energy level as younger ones, but they still like to play a little. Take time to have fun with your cat.
Litter Box
Make sure that the litter box placement is easy for your cat to get to. You may want to place in some out-of-the-way corner so the smell doesn’t bother anyone. It is important to locate the litter box where your cat can easily get to it. Cats are finicky, so you must provide an environment that is not inconvenient or off-putting to the animal. If you have the box on a floor that is cold cement for example, put a rug or mat under it.
The potential benefits of cat ownership are, it’s worth stating again, numerous and wide-reaching. But to ensure your pet stays healthy and happy, you must give it the care it needs. Consider the information presented here to make the most of your relationship with your new kitty.
