If you use proper care techniques, cats can be truly delightful pets. If you have a cat, you must learn as much as you can about caring for your cat to keep it happy and healthy. This article is like a Rosetta Stone of cat care information.
You should make sure your cat stays groomed properly. You have to make sure your cat gets brushed or combed often. This can keep them clean. It also stops hairballs. Grooming a cat properly will improve the appearance of your home and cat.
To safely help an old cat feel comfortable, place a heated tile under its bed. Just heat a one-foot square terra cotta tile in your oven at about 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes. 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.
Spray bitter apple on electrical cords to keep cats away from them. Keep your cords covered if you feel like your cat is hellbent on chewing them. If you have any loose cords around your home, try stuffing them into a used paper towel roll. The cords on electronics should be hidden as well.
Don’t let your cat get frequently bored. Cats need play and exercise. Unfortunately, a lot of cat owners neglect this. Bored cats can really be a problem. They can have health issues, OCD, and even depression. Provide them with space to exercise and lots of toys to play with. Provide them with an indoor climbing area or scratching post.
Male felines tend to have a build-up of crystals that present in the urine, so you need to avoid this with proper nutrition. Passing those crystals hurts and having this corrected by a vet is expensive. Choose a cat food low in magnesium. Read the ingredient list on the label. Fish is often high in magnesium compared to chicken.
Remember that very young children can be a bit too rough with a cat or new kitten. Tell them how to be gentle. Demonstrate how to pick up the animal and how to play with it as well. Cat’s bones aren’t quite as strong as dogs, so they must be treated gingerly.
Make a tablecloth that your cat can use. Cats sometimes like to eat food outside of their bowl. This creates extra work since you must then clean up the leftover loose food. To simplify your clean up duties, place a ready made placemat under the dish or purchase some inexpensive fabric and use it like a tablecloth.
Cats love high spots. For very happy cats, give them a safe place where they can look around at their surroundings. You should install a cat tree or allow your cat to climb on some shelves. You can even lay down a blanket to give your kitty some comfort.
Don’t teach the basics of using a litter box. Cats instinctively understand what to do and teaching is not required. You may have heard that rubbing your cat;s paws in litter will help them learn, but that may have a traumatizing effect.
Cat care starts with a good education. If you’re going to own a cat and be responsible about it you should reread this article and use the information that is in it. With good, solid practices and lots of love, you can have a truly happy cat that lives a long life.