Cats are both incredible and incredibly finicky. From particular diets to nail clippings at vet visits, you need to take care of a lot of different issues when you own one (or more). The following article will offer you expert tips on how to give your cat everything it needs.
Visit your local shelter if you’re thinking about getting a cat. Shelters usually have many cats who need a home, and the fees typically include their shots and spaying or neutering. Adopting from a pet shelter benefits the cat population.
Cats love to squeeze into tiny spots. If your cat wears a collar they might get hurt, and stuck. A breakaway style collar will literally “break away” if pulled too tight. Purchasing one could be the difference between whether your cat lives or dies when he gets stuck.
Female cats need to be spayed as soon as they reach the proper age. It is best to spay your cat, even if you want to keep it as an indoor pet. The best method of stopping this is to have your cat spayed.
The litter box for your cat needs to be in a good location. It shouldn’t be put in an area with high traffic and should be far from their food. Put it in a ventilated area to reduce odors. Both you and your pet will appreciate that.
If your cat is male, understand that he could develop crystals inside his urine, which can be very painful to him. Therefore, prevent this issue from occurring in the first place by feeding your cat the right type of food. Passing crystals is very painful for your cat, and the vet’s bill will be painful for you. Feed your cat food that is low in magnesium. Consult the ingredient list. Fish usually has more magnesium than poultry.
If you’re traveling with your cat, take care to remember their ears. Cats tend to prefer gentle sounds during the day. Spare your cat’s sensitive hearing by keeping the volume down at all times.
Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. You can then teach your kids which areas your cat can go into. It’s also important to let them know that outside doors must be kept closed so that the cat doesn’t escape. If your children know the rules beforehand, mishaps are less likely.
Talk to people you know about any cat problems you’re having. It is possible to work out the problem yourself, but help from others can be invaluable. You can locate forums about cats online if you search for them. On these forums you can ask for advice, or you can just speak with a vet.
When your cat makes a mess somewhere other than their litter box, don’t get mad. When this occurs, it tends to be because the box is not being maintained properly. Punishment can make your cat fearful in your presence.
Moist, canned food can be a very good option for your cat. Dry food may cost less, but canned food has more benefits. The moist food gives your cat water, and it usually has more protein and fat in it. For aging cats, it is also easier to chew. Talk to the veterinarian prior to making any big changes; but, usually, canned food is best for your cat.
If you notice your cat urinating more frequently or outside his litter box, then it might be time to see the vet. A change in where or how a cat urinates can signal a UTI or other health problem. Most of the time, these conditions can be resolved with relatively affordable antibiotic treatments.
Think about extra care before you take home a cat with long hair. Shedding is a major issue that you will have to face. Don’t get a long haired cat unless you’re prepared to do a little extra cleaning. Long-haired cats also often have hairballs.
Litter Box
If you notice that your cat has stopped using its litter box, you’ll want to contact your vet. A common sign that a cat has a medical condition is failure to use the bathroom in the litter box. A potential bladder or kidney infection may be the reason for this. Talk to the vet when your cat goes to the bathroom where they shouldn’t.
If your cat’s about to have kittens, create a spacious area in which she can do so. The birth will take place over the span of several hours. Should the time run to six hours, and you think more kittens are due, get the cat to the vet immedietely
Dogs let you know when they are excited and/or happy when they wag their tails. Cats, however, move their tails or sway it side to side for totally different reasons. In cats, wagging of the tail tends to indicate conflict or anxiety. If you’re holding the cat and their tail begins wagging, they should be put down so that you don’t get scratched or hit.
An indoor cat is a healthy, happy cat. Cats trained to live inside instead of outside live longer according to certain studies. Going outside may give your pet some exercise, but the risk of disease or injury outweighs that benefit.
While you may be fortunate enough to own a cat that does not require a great deal of care, many cats are a bit more finicky. The tips on this article will make the job of cat care easier. The time that you spent reading this article will be worth it.