Why wouldn’t you save the life of an animal if you could? There are literally millions of cats who are stuck in shelters through no fault of their own, and they need a loving forever home. The first step is adopting, and the second is learning to care for it.
You should be bringing your cat to their vet for a check-up regularly. Cats need vaccinations to keep them healthy, and your vet can keep an eye out for any other health issues. Make sure you keep the same veterinarian for your pet throughout its life. This ensures that your vet knows your cat’s medical history.
If your cat is a female, it needs to be spayed when it reaches the appropriate age. It does not matter if you an indoor cat; if she gets out when in heat, you can end up with many kittens. Getting your cat spayed is the best in regards to prevention.
Your cat’s claws can wreck havoc on your furniture. A kitty tower can really save your furniture. Give them some encouragement and let them know it is okay to scratch that. It may take some time and some corrections, but it can usually eliminate the problem.
Think about putting a microchip in your pet. Indoor cats can slip out an open door. Cat collars are a great thing to have in case your cat gets lost, but they also pose a risk if they get caught on something. Microchips are as small as a rice grain and have all of your important contact information. Most shelters have a scanner that can pick up the facts located inside the chip.
Keep your cat active and entertained to avoid boredom. Your cat needs plenty of exercise. Unfortunately there are too many cat owners who don’t properly exercise their cats. Bored cats will quickly wreck your home or become obese. Give them room to play and a large number of toys. If they’re an indoor cat, get them an object to climb on or a scratching post.
Give your cat lots of attention and love. They want the same level of companionship that they give to you as their owner. Like most folks, cats have the need to socialize to feel like part of the family. They want to feel like a contented and satisfied member of the family.
Cats are usually great for kids, but smaller kids may be too rough with them. Spend time instructing your children on cat care. Children need to know how to hold a cat and what sorts of play a cat likes. Cats have weaker bones than dogs do, and must be treated accordingly.
Try to figure out why your cat meows. After living with your cat for long, it’s easier to interpret its meows. Your cat could be hungry or thirsty, or it may want to leave the house. You’ll learn her cues quickly.
Fellow Cat Owners
You can tap fellow cat owners for advice if you’re having problems with your pet. It can really help to get advice from fellow cat owners. There are many online cat forums that will help you get questions answered. You could also try asking your vet.
Feeding your cat the proper canned food is ideal. Yes, dry food is cheaper, but canned food really has a lot more benefits. Canned food will give your cat more water, fat and protein. Canned food is much easier to chew for older cats. Speak with your vet to determine the proper course of action to take.
Taking care of a cat is something that should make you proud. You’ve given a good home to an animal in need. The relationship between you and the cat you care for can last a lifetime. Take good care of your cat and cherish the time you spend together.