Cats are often curious and temperamental. They seem really independent, but they love human interaction as well. They may also engage in erratic behavior. The following advice will help you care for your pet.
Spritz a little bitter apple on electrical cords to protect your cats. If the cat likes to chew on cords, its best to cover them as best you can. Hide those loose cords and keep them out of sight in no longer needed paper towel rolls. Any electrical cords that are really thin (and very tempting) should really be hidden whenever possible.
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Microchip your cat. Indoor cats can slip out an open door. Cats can get out of a collar or, worse, have that collar choke them to death. A microchip about as big as a grain of rice and holds all the contact information your cat needs. Almost every vet and shelter has a scanner these days, and they can retrieve your contact information should they find your pet.
If your cat is traveling with you, remember their ears. Although you may love singing loudly to your favorite songs while driving, your cat would probably prefer softer sounds. If your cat seems upset or agitated, turn down the music and speak calmly to him.
Cats are great pets, but little ones may not understand that they are fragile. Guide your kids in handling a feline. Demonstrate the appropriate way to pick the cat up and how to play with them. Because cats are more delicate than dogs, they need to be handled more carefully.
You need to establish some boundaries if you are getting a cat for your children. Let your kids know where the cat can go. If you’re planning to have an indoor cat, explain to your children that the cat is not allowed to be outside. If you make the rules ahead of time, you can be sure your kids understand them.
Reconsider having an outdoor cat. It might not be safe for your cat to go outdoors. Your cat may get fleas or have other problems. Cars, people, or animals could hurt your beloved pet. If your cat must go outside, try to confine them to the backyard.
Make sure that you do not instruct your cat on using the litter box. This is the sort of thing which flows naturally. Many people believe that taking your cat to the box and rubbing their paws in the litter is a good idea, but it may actually traumatize them.
Brush your cat at regular times. It helps with blood flow, and it also moves the natural oils around in the fur. It can also reduce the amount of loose hair they have. Doing so reduces the occurrence of hairballs, which are a choking risk. It also benefits the cat’s stomach by reducing the animal’s need to clean itself.
Train your cat to tolerate a pet carrier. Cats just don’t respond like dogs do when it comes to punishment. Encouragement is more likely to get them to respond. Place a beloved blanket or item inside the carrier and let it stay open near the cat’s usual haunts. Eventually, the cat will go into the carrier naturally and feel comfortable. It’s a much easier way to get the cat in.
If you offer a variety of foods to your cat, it will be less picky about what it eats. If they only eat the same food, they may never eat another food in the future.
Is your home covered in your cat’s fur? Cats do a lot of shedding, and it helps to brush them. If your cat sheds a lot, you need to brush it more often. This can also stop their coats from becoming tangled up.
Don’t ever give your cat medicine created for humans. If health problems arise, take your cat to a vet. Providing your cat with a human medication can seriously harm them, and it just might kill them.
If the cat has constant hairballs and brushing more isn’t helping, this may help. Mix some pumpkin into your cat’s food. You might even want to try to add a teaspoon of tuna water mixed together with the pumpkin to see if that helps. There are also cat foods that contain an anti-hairball component, usually extra fiber, that may solve the problem.
If you previously adopted a cat when you were home all the time, and now you are away much more, your cat might get lonely. You can avoid both boredom and loneliness by getting another cat.
Put tape that’s sticky onto your furniture. This will prevent your cat from scratching the material. You can find special tape in most pet stores. Using this tape, along with a scratching post is a great way to keep your cat from scratching up your furniture.
Though cats may be confusing, they can also become your best friends. Take what you’ve just learned to heart. Having cats are great and when caring for them correctly, you’ll have some happy family friends.