Cats are one of the easiest pets to have for many reasons. In addition to being fun and entertaining, having a cat will prevent rodents and other pests from getting in your home. Read on to find out how to care for your kitty.
If your cat is a female, you’ll want to spay her once she reaches the proper age. Even though your cat stays indoors all the time, there might be that one time she slips through the door when she goes into heat, which results in a litter of unexpected kittens. Unless you want the hassle of getting rid of kittens, spaying is the best option for your cat.
A lot of cat owners have a hard time keeping their cats off the counter. Cats naturally love heights so they can easily see everyone and everything. One good way to beat this problem is by giving your kitty some safe, high perches throughout the house. Your cat will not go on your counters if there’s a cat tower close to the kitchen.
Give your cat plenty of love and affection. They want warm companionship since that’s what they provide to you. Cats have a need to communicate with others to show they are part of the family. They also like feeling important and a big member of the family.
Be sure you think about your cat’s ears when traveling. Although you may love singing loudly to your favorite songs while driving, your cat would probably prefer softer sounds. To keep your cat calm and collected over the course of your trip, keep the stereo low – or perhaps off entirely.
Try and figure out why kitty is meowing. After a while, you’ll start to recognize what some of the noises your cats makes mean. The cat may want something to eat or to get let out. Pay attention to her cues, and you can understand your cat that much more.
Understand that cats enjoy being elevated. A cat will only be happy if you give it a safe spot to look over everything. If you do not want cats making a mess in your house, remove breakable items from your shelves. You can even lay down a blanket to give your kitty some comfort.
Brush your cat daily. Brushing spreads natural oils throughout a cat’s fur, and also helps stimulate blood flow in their skin. It can also get rid of hair that is loose. This prevents hairballs, which can cause choking, and builds up in the cat’s stomach from self grooming.
If your cat begins defecating or urinating too frequently, it’s time to see the vet. Many cats develop these behaviors in response to a health problem, such as urinary tract infections. Take the cat to the vet if it stops using the litter-box and let the vet diagnose the problem.
Your cat needs good play time. Of course, all mammals like to play, regardless of age or species. Though older cats don’t have as much energy, they still need some play. Make sure you spend time doing fun things with your cat.
You should think carefully before getting a long-haired cat. There is no denying that long-haired cats are beautiful, but that beautiful coat takes a lot of work and also means a lot of shedding. If you can handle the extra grooming and cleaning time, then a long haired cat might be a good choice for you. It should also be noted that long haired cats are much more susceptible to hairballs.
One of the most delightful things about a dog is the way they happily greet their owners. Cats wag their tails for very different reasons than dogs though. Tail-wagging in a cat usually means a conflict or that they’re deciding to flee or pounce regarding a situation. Similarly, if your cats tail wags when you hold it, it’s wise to put it down at that time.
Some foods that you like to consume daily might not be good for your cat to eat. These include garlic, grapes, green tomatoes and onions. These items can make your cat very ill. Milk upsets a cat’s stomach, too.
Your cat will thrive if allowed to say indoors. Cats that stay inside have been shown to live much longer than the ones that are allowed to roam your neighborhood. Outdoor trips should be made in the company of the owner to keep cats safe from the dangers (like infections and attacks) that free-ranging cats face.
While you might not consider a cat a great hunter like a guard dog, the cat eliminates smaller pests, has the motivation and is much more family-friendly. Cats have any number of ways to contribute to family life, from providing love and affection to keeping vermin populations down. In addition, cats are extremely gentle and loving. Because of all these things, cats are very popular household pet. Utilize this advice to ensure that you are raising your cat right.