Many people agree that cats are the best pets available. If you own a cat, it’s important that you know as much as possible about caring for your pet. Use the tips that you’re about to read to help you provide the best care.
Keep your cat away from your drapery cords. Whenever cats jump on these cords, they might get tangled up in them. This could seriously injure or even kill them. Therefore, ensure that drape cords are pinned away from your cat’s reach.
You must always take your cat for regular vet check-ups. The vet will be able to provide your cat with needed vaccinations and any medications it requires. Veterinarians also keep tabs on your cat’s overall health and diagnose any problems they find. For the most consistent pet care, choose one veterinarian and stick with them. This way, the vet will be very familiar with your cat and its history.
Cats like sneaking into small spaces. Collars can be a safety risk if your kitty gets stuck. If your pet is wearing a breakaway collar, it’ll detach if it’s pulled too hard. This can make the difference in whether your cat have nine lives or only a couple of them.
Keeping your cat off of the counter can be difficult. They love to be able to look around from up high. You can try to combat this problem by designating some high-up places for your cat to hang out. Putting a cat tower in or near the kitchen can help keep the cats from laying on the counter.
Consider having your cat fitted with a microchip. Indoor cats could run out your door or jump out the window. A collar and identification tags can help bring your pet back to you. But experts point out that collars that do not snap apart quickly if your cat gets it caught on a branch or even a bush can accidentally strangle your cat. Your important information can all fit nicely on a rice grain sized microchip. Nearly every vet and shelter owns a scanner which can read a microchip, and since they’re implanted, there isn’t a risk of the chip falling out or getting lost.
Keep your cat active and entertained to avoid boredom. Cats need stimulation. Too frequently this need is overlooked by owners. Bored cats can develop depression and other harmful health conditions. Provide your cats with the toys and space it needs. If they’re inside kitties, get them a post or something else that they can scratch and climb.
Prevent crystals from forming in the urine of male cats with the right diet. Your cat will experience considerable pain when he has to pass these crystals, and it’s not an easy (or cheap) problem for your veterinarian to fix. Make sure your cat’s food is not high in magnesium. Check the ingredients list on the label. Poultry-based foods are generally lower in magnesium than fish.
Before you consider buying a kitten for your children, make sure clear boundaries are set before you bring the kitten home. Make sure the children know where the cat is and is not allowed to roam. If you plan to raise an indoor cat, let your children know that the cat cannot go outside. Make sure your children understand the rules from the get go.
Avoid leaving a kitten alone with small children. Children under 5 years of age should not be alone with the pet. They don’t know what harm they can do. Once the child grows up a little, he might be more able to handle the kitten.
If your cat relieves itself away from its litter box, do not spring into action with punishment. When this occurs, it tends to be because the box is not being maintained properly. Punishing the cat will only make him afraid to be around you in the future.
Keep a breakaway collar and tag on your cat. This is necessary even for an indoors pet. An adventurous cat can easily slip through an open door or window. Those tags can help if someone finds your kitty. Make sure your info and your vets info is on it. This is also important if your cat has special medical needs.
As you’ve read, a cat can be a wonderful companion. You have to work hard to keep them healthy and entertained. Keep the tips you’ve read here in mind and enjoy your feline friend. Your cat will love that you did.
