If you were given the opportunity to rescue an animal, would you take it? Countless numbers of felines are just waiting for a place to call home. Simply adopt a cat and use this article as your guide to properly caring for it.
When considering a new pet, make sure you visit the area shelter first. Shelters usually have many cats who need a home, and the fees typically include their shots and spaying or neutering. You’re literally saving their life.
If your cat is older or sick, a heating pad may provide comfort. A terra cotta tile heated in your oven on about 200 degrees and for 15 minutes will do. Then, wrap this up into a towel and place it underneath your cat’s bed. This should be changed a few times a day to maximize comfort.
Don’t try using dog food or products for your cat. Products designed for dogs or other animals could cause a negative reaction from your cat. Flea products especially. Products used for flea prevention in dogs can be very harmful to your cat. Actually, it is best to separate the cat from the dog once the flea problem has been treated.
A lot of cat owners have a hard time keeping their cats off the counter. Cats have a natural predilection for staking out a nice elevated place where they have a good view of their surroundings. One good way to beat this problem is by giving your kitty some safe, high perches throughout the house. For example, give them a cat tower nearby.
Most cats are very nocturnal. It is likely that they will want to play while you are sleeping. If your cats keep you up late at night, you should close the bedroom door. This will reduce the frequency that they wake you up.
Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. Let your children know which areas of the house are off-limits for the cat. Make sure that your children know if the cat is strictly an indoor cat. Clearly explaining the rules will limit future mishaps.
Make sure that you brush your cat’s coat often. It really helps move natural oils around the cat’s fur, and it improves blood flow. As an added bonus, it cuts down on loose fur. This will help you to avoid hairballs, which may cause your cat to choke. Hairballs are caused when a cat grooms itself.
Ensure your cat is collared and wears an identification tag. Even if yours is an indoor cat, this is still an important safety measure. Cats love to explore, and if they see an opportunity to go outside, they will take it. They should wear a tag with your vet’s info as well as your telephone number. This is very important if your pet is likely to get lost or has some medical needs.
Haired Cats
Long haired cats take extra grooming time, so think about that before choosing one. While long haired cats are soft and look great, understand that there will be a lot more fur around the rest of the house. Long-haired cats can be very high maintenance over the course of the year. Hair balls are also more prevalent in long haired cats.
Keep your cat’s vaccinations and checkups up to date with the vet. Just like children, a kitten needs to have immunizations and wellness checks periodically to avoid disease and other health problems later in life. Your cat is wonderful addition to the family, and must be cared for in the same way that you would treat all members of your household.
Cat Wags
When a dog wags it’s tail, it’s telling you that it is excited or happy. When a cat wags its tail, it means something very different. A cat wags its tail when it is upset. If you notice you cat begin to wag his tail when you are holding him, put him down to be sure you are not scratched or swatted.
Make sure your cat’s collar has important information, such as your address, phone number and name. The cat may get out if it has a chance to, even house cats do this. If that happens, you want to be sure that there is a way for them to make it back home.
If you have chemicals that contain phenol, make sure that you do not use these around your cat. This chemical is often in Lysol and certain other regular household cleaners. Your little friends find this smell completely offensive. Even worse it can cause liver damage over time.
If your cat is prone to hairballs and additional brushing has no effect, you may be able to resolve the problem in other ways. Give your cat’s regular food an addition of pumpkin (about a teaspoon’s worth). Another thing that works is a one teaspoon of the water that’s in a tuna can mixed with the pumpkin. Some cat foods also contain a component for anti-hairballs, generally extra fiber, which may resolve the problem.
Cats catch illnesses just like you do. You will probably be able to tell if your cat isn’t at 100 percent. Take your cat to the vet as often as possible. They can determine what is wrong and figure out the proper course of care.
You should feel proud about caring for your cat. You’ve given it a safe home in which it is loved. A bond is formed that will last forever. Take good care of your pet, and it’ll take good care of you too.
