There was a famed poet once that enjoyed cats. He described them as creatures that the house depends on, and there is some truth to that. A well behaved and healthy cat can enhance any household. Unfortunately, cats aren’t the easiest pets to live with. The tips below will help you enjoy your cat as much as possible.
Keep your drapery cords out of the reach of your cat. These can cause your cat to choke if they get a hold of it. This can definitely hurt them, and it could even kill them. Be sure your drape cords are strongly secured.
Make frequent checkups with your vet to keep your cat healthy. In addition to checking the health of your cat, a vet can give him any needed shots. Do your best to use the same vet for your cat’s entire life. This ensures that your vet knows your cat’s medical history.
A cat’s claws can cause lots of damage to your home. A kitty tower can really save your furniture. Redirect your cat to the scratching post when they start to go after your furniture. Catnip can be put in the posts or on the tower to help train the cat to use it. It may take some time, but will be worth the effort and expense.
It can be hard to make your cat stay off the counter. A cat will naturally want to be high enough to view everything around them. You can control this tendency a bit by making high places in the house that you feel comfortable having your cat utilize. The use of a cat tower within your kitchen or close by can help make the cats stay off the counter.
When your cat is riding with you in your car, ensure you keep their ears in mind. Cats tend to prefer gentle sounds during the day. Therefore, try lowering your music or turning it off in order for your cat to enjoy the trip more.
Cover the area around your cat’s bowl with a cloth. Some cats like removing food from their bowl and eating it beside their bowl. This means food spillage that you will have to clean later. Place a piece of fabric or a place-mat under your cat’s bowl and then simply shake it over a garbage can for quick and easy clean up.
When you buy a small kitty for your children, set the boundaries ahead of time. Make sure your children are aware of rooms that are open to your cat. If you want to have an indoor cat, explain to your children that they cannot let it go outside. It’s important to remind them as often as necessary, and when you plan ahead of time to teach your children, you will less likely to have issues.
If you want to let your cat outside, think again. The outside world is very dangerous for cats. They can get fleas, feline AIDS or even leukemia. Your cat might be injured by people, other animals and even vehicles on the road. If you need to let your cat out of the house, be sure it’s in a safe place.
Cats like to be high up to see the surrounding area. Providing a safe environment for your cat is key to its happiness. If a cat tree is not in your future, providing a stable shelving unit with no small items on it will do very well. You can also add a small bed or blanket at the top.
Litter Box
If your cat does not use the litter box, do not use punishments to try to discipline him. When this occurs, it is probably just a sign that the litter box wasn’t properly taken care of. Punishing your cat will just make them afraid of you later on.
Take time to train your cat to go into a car carrier. Understand that cats don’t react to punishment as well as dogs. Cats are better trained by using patient encouragement. Place a blanket or favorite toy inside the carrier to make your cat more acclimated to the carrier. After some time, your cat will respond better to the carrier. Transporting the carrier with your cat inside makes your next trip out much easier.
Don’t throw away your cat’s old scratching post. Your cat will enjoy the post most when it has been well used. If you throw it away, you may find your cat scratching on other surfaces.
You should feed your cat food out of a can. Dry food is less expensive, but canned food provides more benefits. There is more water in canned food and more protein and fat too. This food is easier to chew for old cat. Canned food is usually a great option for your cat, but talk with your vet.
It’s very rewarding to own a cat, though it’s not always easy. Whether you have a cat that has high energy or low, this advice will help you to better your relationship with your kitty. You’re going to be hearing your cat purring instead of meowing to get your attention.