In the post adoption phase, many issues arise between cats and families. Never take on a pet unless you are prepared to be responsible. Even well-educated cat owners are often faced with unexpected challenges. The best thing to do is to read this article, but be ready for anything.
If you have drape cords in your home, keep them away from your cats. You should not allow your cat to play with drape cords since they could end up with the cord wrapped around their neck. This may hurt them or possibly cause death. Make sure that the cords are completely out of sight.
To help your old cat feel comfy, keep a tile that’s heated under their bed. Place a tile made of terra cotta or a similar material in an oven heated to 200 degrees for around 15 to 20 minutes. Wrap this in a towel that’s old and then place it under the bed the cat sleeps on. Change it frequently if you like.
Don’t use dog products on your cats ever. Cats usually react negatively to items made especially for dogs. This warning applies to products for getting rid of fleas. These products can be fatal for your cat. Your cat needs to be away from the dog after your dog has received a flea treatment.
Cats can really scratch up your home. Buy your cat a scratching posts to focus its attention off your furniture. When your cat scratches inappropriately, redirect him to the scratching post. It may take some time, but it should eventually work.
Keep your cat’s litter box in the right location. Keep the litter from the cat food, and avoid placing it in a busy area. Make sure it’s properly ventilated to keep smell down. Your cat and you will prefer this in the end.
Always provide your feline with special attention and affection. Cats are looking for a response in kind in exchange for all of the friendly companionship they offer to humans. Like many people, cats need to socialize with people so that they feel like they are an important part of their family’s lives. They probably would like to feel as though they are a wanted part of the family.
If your cat experiences major problems, don’t be afraid to talk to other cat owners. You won’t have the knowledge to handle every cat issue properly, so take advantage of the experiences of others. You can find online cat forums to ask questions, or you can speak with your vet.
Cats may make a small mess outside their litter box. Most of the time when this happens, it is because you are not taking proper care of the box. If you attempt to punish your pet, you may cause fear and resentment–and more accidents!
Your cat should be acclimated to a carrier as a kitten. Cats can’t be punished like dogs. Most of the time, it is better to use positive reinforcement. Put a favorite blanket and toy in the carrier and leave it open somewhere the cat frequents. The cat will feel safe when it enters this carrier after a while. In the future, your cat will not get scared when you put him in the carrier.
Scratching Post
Although you might find its appearance unappealing, don’t toss a scratching post when it’s getting particular worn and frazzled. While it doesn’t appear clean and new, your cat probably thinks otherwise. For a cat, it is comfortable and familiar. By throwing away an old scratching post and replacing it with a newer one, your cat will likely look for older items to scratch, such as your furniture.
Feed your cat top quality food. Read the ingredient label, and make sure a protein from meat tops the list. Any foods with non-protein sources, such as corn, should be avoided. Understand that your cat needs a lot of animal protein to stay healthy.
Is your home covered in your cat’s fur? Cats shed considerably; therefore, it is very important you brush them frequently. If your cat sheds a lot, brush it a lot. Brushing can help prevent their fur from matting or tangling.
Litter Box
Really consider where you place the litter box. You are surely tempted to put it where the smell will affect your surroundings the least. However, it’s important to make sure your cat can easily access its litter box. Your cat will use the litter box if it is placed in a quiet place and away from smells your cat does not enjoy. If you are going to put the litter box in a room without carpet, put a mat beneath it to keep the box warm.
No matter what cat you have, these tips can work to train them. The concepts you just went over are the basics and can help you to raise a cat so that it’s a happy and healthy animal the rest of its life. Remember to enjoy your new kitten because that’s the most important part of the process.