Cats make wonderful pets, but they are expensive to take care of properly. Medical expenses, toys, food and cat litter can quickly add up. These tips will help you own a cat without spending a fortune.
Cats enjoy finding small spaces to fit into. There are ways to make sure that their collar does not get stuck. A breakaway collar let’s go if pulled on tightly. This can keep your cat alive.
You should take your cat to the vet on a regular basis to maintain optimum health. Your cat should always go to the vet for a check up, especially if they need shots. If your cat is having a health issue or injury, they need to be seen by their vet right away.
If a cat is outdoors frequently, they need a collar that has a tag. Cats can travel a long way and this will help you get them back easier if they’re lost. The tag needs your phone number and cat’s name at the minimum.
A lot of cat owners have a hard time keeping their cats off the counter. They love to be able to look around from up high. You may mitigate the problem by providing designated heights for them to use. For example, give them a cat tower nearby.
Litter Box
Put the litter box in an ideal location. A cat’s litter box should be in a quiet spot in the house, away from where your cat eats. Make sure it’s properly ventilated to keep smell down. Your cat will certainly appreciate your efforts, and you will too!
Crystals in the urine, an issue many male cats have, can be avoided with the proper food. These are very painful and expensive to treat. Your cat’s food should be low in magnesium. The best way to find out is to read the label. Fish products are usually higher in magnesium.
Don’t punish cats for making messes outside the litter box. If this happens, it may be because you have not kept the box as clean as you should. If you attempt to punish your pet, you may cause fear and resentment–and more accidents!
Consider the placement of your cat’s litter box. It is temping to put it someplace where the odor will not be noticed. Make sure that your cat can get to its litter box very easily. Cats can be finicky; that’s why you should give them space for their litter box that is familiar and does not put them off. If the box is placed on a cold floor, place a mat under it.
You should get a collar with your contact information and make sure your cat wears it all the time. Even a house cat may get outside. They have to be able to get home again.
Do not use chemicals around your cat that contain phenol. Lysol and Pine-Sol are two examples of products that contain this chemical. Cats hate the smell of phenol, and for good reason. Long term exposure to it can cause cats to have live issues.
Cats have a surprisingly acute sense of smell, making it easy for them to detect change in their environment. This may cause issues if they have a new bed, scratching post, or food dish. The cat may be leery of the new additions at first. The object will begin to smell more like home, and the cat is more likely to feel comfortable.
If your find that your cat is panting, pay attention. Panting is normal for a dog. While excessive panting may be a symptom of anxiety, it may also be a symptom of something more serious. Be sure you get in touch with a vet, especially if your animal has had problems with breathing before.
If hairballs are a problem that brushing won’t solve, there are some other things you can try. Add one teaspoon of pumpkin to your cat’s food. You can also try a teaspoon of water used to pack tuna mixed with the pumpkin. There are foods that inhibit hairballs which have fiber in them. They might take care of the issue.
Make dry food the foundation of your cat’s diet. As kittens, cats require wet food because of their tiny teeth. Once they grow adult teeth, they benefit from chewing dry food. If you have a cat that is a picky eater, try combining dry cat food with a wet version.
Health Problems
Make sure your cat does not get more food than it needs to prevent health problems. Besides putting your cat at risk for obesity, providing it with too much food can open the door to many other health problems. Be careful to feed your cat the proper portion amount, and also make sure that his food is packed with vital vitamins and nutrients.
Put tape on furniture to seal it up. This can deter your cat from scratching the upholstery. Some stores for pets have special tape for this situation. If you place the tape on the furniture and add a scratching pole, your cat should stop scratching your things.
Pets are often expensive, and this is surely true of cats. Being a cat parent can be labor and time intensive. The tips provided will help you properly take care your cat without breaking the bank.