Cats have been beloved pets for many centuries. There have been poems about them, movies featuring them, and even Broadway show written about them. It’s clear why this is; cats believe they are the boss. The article below contains some great advice for handling and caring for your cat.
Look a local animal shelters for cats. Shelters have a lot of cats in them and you can get one adopted for a small fee. When adopting a shelter cat, you’re saving a life and aiding in controlling the cat population.
Take your cat in for regular vet exams. Cats need yearly shots and overall health assessments. If you can, stick with one vet for your cat’s entire life. This will ensure they know the history of your cat well.
Spay your cat as soon as she is old enough. Even if she stays inside all the time, she could get out when in heat and end up pregnant. Getting your cat spayed is a great way to stop this from going on.
Your furnishings and belongings can easily be ruined by a cat’s claws. If you find your cat shredding your furniture, consider purchasing a scratching post or cat tower. Give them some encouragement and let them know it is okay to scratch that. It might take a little while, but eventually it should stop the problem.
You may be able to find a better deal on your cat’s prescription online instead of purchasing them from your veterinarian. Online prescriptions are not the best choice if you do not have the time to wait on a mail order, such as in a medical emergency. If you regularly need to buy pet medication, you can get a savings of up to 50 percent online.
Cats are usually great for kids, but smaller kids may be too rough with them. Show your kids the proper way to handle cats. Teach them about appropriate activities and how to gentle pick up the cat. Cats have weaker bones than dogs so should be treated carefully.
Why is your cat meowing? After you have lived with your cat for a while, you will come to know what she wants by her meow. It could be she’s hungry or needs to go outside. When you pay attention to the cat’s actions and cues, then may grow to understand the cat all the more.
Do you have both a dog and a cat? Dogs are known for eating other pet’s food. Because of this, you should keep your cat’s food in a high spot that your dog won’t be able to reach. Doing this will also help you avoid fights over the water bowl.
Use care if you have kids and a cat. A cat should not be left alone with a child under five years of age. The maturity level isn’t there when it comes to your child. Find your child’s age of maturity when it comes to handling pets.
Your cat should like their carrier. You have to take a different approach to training a cat rather than a dog. They need positive reinforcement. Placing some of your cats favorite items in the carrier can really help. Soon, your cat will naturally enter the carrier. It’s a much easier way to get the cat in.
Don’t scrimp when it comes to your pet’s food. You should check the ingredients and make sure the food you give your cat includes a healthy source of protein, such as chicken, fish or beef. Try avoiding foods that have non-protein elements like corn. Cats are naturally carnivorous. If you want to keep them healthy and happy, you need to feed them plenty of animal protein.
As soon as you adopt your cat, fit him with identification tags attached to a collar. This is necessary even for an indoors pet. Cats are curious creatures, and you never know when they might wander off to explore. Include your contact number along with the name of your veterinarian. If your kitty has medical conditions, this information can be a life saver.
Giving Birth
If a cat is about to give birth, provide them an area that’s spacious. Giving birth to all the kittens can take hours, so you shouldn’t expect things to be over and done with quickly. If you believe your cat is still giving birth after six hours, you should immediately drive to the vet’s office.
If you notice your cat is not using the litter box, try moving it to a new location. A cat knows that when it’s going to the bathroom it’s in a vulnerable situation, so you should make sure the box is in a calm, secure location. A basement or laundry area might be a good option.
Your cat should stay inside most of the time, and when it’s outside, you should ensure it remains close to home. Indoor cats live longer than others allowed to walk around the neighborhood freely. Daily exercise with you doesn’t need to create risks for other cat attacks or diseases from the wild.
You should not let your de-clawed cat outdoors. It can’t defend itself with no claws. Indoor cats are the only ones that may be declawed. If you do decide to declaw your indoor cat, do not remove the back claws. Leave the back claws, as these do not scratch your floors or furniture.
Do not give human medications to cats. If health problems arise, take your cat to a vet. Using human medicine for your cat is harmful and can even cause their death.
Like most cats, your cat probably believes the universe revolves around it. Apply the knowledge you have learned here in order to set proper boundaries and put your cat in its proper place. People love cats because they make great pets, and this advice can help your relationship with your animal.