There are so many reasons to enjoy having a cat. Make no mistake, though: Being a responsible cat owner involves putting in quite a bit of effort. With cat ownership, comes many responsibilities. Luckily in this article you can figure out just what you’re going to have to do. Keep on reading for excellent information on caring for your pet.
Make sure that your cat is well groomed. Regular combing and brushing is usually all that is required. If yu do this quite often, it will help them stay clean. It helps your cats shed much less too, which keeps them from spitting those hairballs up. If you groom your cat with care, both your pet and your home will look their best.
Your cat will want to climb into small spaces. If they have a collar, this can be a safety issue if they get stuck. Put a breakaway collar on instead. This can save all “nine” of your cat’s lives.
Be sure your cat gets regular checkups at the vet. Cats should go to a vet at least once each year for a check up, and more frequently for required shots. If your cat is having a health issue or injury, they need to be seen by their vet right away.
An outdoor cat must always wear a tag on its collar. Cats enjoy traveling far away, so a tag can help your cat get back home when lost. Even if the tag just has your phone number, it can be the difference between your pet coming home and being lost forever.
Microchip your cat. Even indoor cats get out sometimes. Collars and tags can help get your cat home, however cats are experts at wiggling out of these, not to mention the risk they pose if they were to get snagged on a bush or tree branch. You can use a microchip instead; you can store your contact information in the chip and it will not bother your cat. Most shelters have a scanner that can pick up the facts located inside the chip.
Be considerate of your cat’s preferences while traveling. You may think it’s a good idea to listen to loud music on your stereo, but cats generally don’t enjoy this. Turn down the music and let the cat rest.
Cats are usually great for kids, but smaller kids may be too rough with them. It is important that you teach children how to properly interact with a new cat. Show them how to gently pick kitty up and what kinds of activities are appropriate. Cats have more fragile bones than dogs so it is important to treat them with care.
Reconsider outside time for your cat. It is dangerous in today’s society. They may acquire fleas or much worse things. Other animals, cars and people can hurt your cat. If letting your cat outdoors is important to you, let them out in a safe fenced area.
Give your cat a wide array of foods in order to prevent pickiness. If they eat the same food all the time without changing it, that may be the only one they’ll eat later on.
Always make sure that your cat has on identification tags and a collar. Even indoor cats should have identification on them. A naturally curious cat will readily wander out an open door or window. Tags with your veterinarian’s info and your contact number should be worn. Also make sure to note any unusual medical requirements.
Are you having a hard time getting rid of cat hair? Since cats shed so much, they need to be frequently brushed. The more hair you see on the ground, the more you should pull out the brush. This keeps the coat from matting, too.
Never allow your cat to be exposed to phenol chemicals. This type of chemical can be found in Pine-Sol, Lysol, and other types of cleaners. The smell of the chemical isn’t pleasant for your cat and prolonged exposure may cause liver problems.
Don’t send a declawed cat outdoors for long periods of time. The cat will have difficulty playing with other animals and may get hurt. If your cat is an outside cat, do not have it declawed. Even so, you will only want to get the claws up front removed. The back claws are left because these won’t scratch your furniture or floors.
You should never give a cat medication that is for humans. If your cat needs medication, then you should take your cat to the vet. Giving your cat your medication can actually cause your pet serious harm.
There are some options for a cat with hairballs. You can try adding a teaspoon or so of pumpkin to your cat’s food. You can also mix one teaspoon of tuna water in with the pumpkin. Your hairball concerns can also be addressed with specially-formulated cat food. Many blends include extra fiber to prevent hairball formation.
Cats can often get the same illnesses as you can. You see your cat each day, so you should develop an intuition about when it is sick. You should take your cat to the vet for an examination. Your vet can often rule out the possibility of serious conditions.
Keep an eye out for places you want the cat to stay away from. Cats are able to fit through gaps that are very small. This especially applies to kittens. When you bring a new kitty home, keep this in mind. Repair or cover up any noticeable large holes.
There are so many reasons why cats are such popular and beloved pets. If you desire for your cat to benefit from a long life, proper care must be provided. If you see cat ownership in your future, put these tips to good use!
