Why wouldn’t you save the life of an animal if you could? Cats in shelters need you. The first step is adopting, and the second is learning to care for it.
You can make your old cat feel better thanks to a hot tile placed under its bed. A terra cotta tile about a foot square is ideal. You can warm it with a 15-20 minute stop in your oven, set to approximately 200 degrees. Put it inside a cloth and place underneath your feline’s blanket or bed. Change it regularly if you need to.
Keeping cats from a counter really can be tough. Cats instinctively want to be at a high vantage point so they can survey their surroundings. Provide your cat with a few high places it can uses. If you place a cat tower around the kitchen area, they may be less likely to lay on your counters.
Keep your cat amused. Play and exercise are both important for cats’ well-being. But, too many cat owners fail to realize this. A bored cat runs the risk of developing depression and obsessive compulsive disorders that may harm them or something in your home. Make sure your cats have a wide variety of toys and plenty of room for active play. Indoor cats will be happier if you provide them with climbing resources and practical things such as scratching posts.
Location is key when placing a litter box. Never put the box near your cat’s food, and pick a quiet place away from areas that are heavily used. Put it in a ventilated area to reduce odors. Your cat and you will prefer this in the end.
Male felines tend to have a build-up of crystals that present in the urine, so you need to avoid this with proper nutrition. It is painful for your cat to pass these crystals and the cost to have this treated by a vet is high. Let your cat have food that doesn’t have a lot of magnesium in it. Consult the ingredient list. Fish is often high in magnesium compared to chicken.
Cats and small children may not always mix. Teach your children how to handle a cat. Demonstrate how to pick up the animal and how to play with it as well. Cats have more fragile bones than dogs so it is important to treat them with care.
Try to figure out why your cat makes meowing sounds. As you develop a relationship with your cat over time, it will become easier to determine why she is meowing. She may be hungry, or she may want you to let her outside. Make sure you are paying attention in order to better understand your cat.
Cats feel safest in an elevated location. For a happy cat, make sure you establish a safe environment for them to scan their surroundings. You can give your cat on a shelf to accomplish this. For an extra treat, place a blanket or small bed up there too.
Speak to other people if you’re having cat troubles. You can often get great advice from friends and family. The Internet has many cat forums where you can ask your questions, or simply speak with your vet.
If your cat or kitten begins to urinate frequently or in places other than his litter box, a trip to the vet may be in order. Sometimes, abnormal urination habits indicate an infection of the urinary tract. Antibiotics will often do the trick if it is an infection.
Think about extra care before you take home a cat with long hair. 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. Do not choose a long-haired cat unless you can commit to the added cleanup. It should also be noted that long haired cats are much more susceptible to hairballs.
The best way to make sure that you have a healthy cat is to keep up to date with vaccinations and trips to the vet. Cats need regular checkups, just like humans. You love your cat, so take the best care of him as possible.
If your cat is ready to give birth, give her an area to do it in that has plenty of space. The birth of the kittens will take approximately four hours, so use a little patience. Once 6 hours have passed, if all the kittens have not been delivered you should seek the help of a vet.
Cats are able to smell very well and will notice changes to their environment. This may cause some problems when introducing new beds, scratching posts, or food dishes. Don’t get frustrated if they don’t like these items right away. Your cat is going to like them more as they acquire your home’s smell.
Beware of panting. Dogs normally pant on a regular basis. Sometimes when cats are upset or too hot they pant, but there are other reasons they can pant too. Be sure to talk to a vet, particularly if the cat is prone to respiratory issues.
Do not overfeed your cat since this can lead to a lot of health issues in the future. Overfeeding your cat may cause it to become obese and develop serious medical issues. Therefore, ensure you provide the proper food portions to your cat, and keep its diet healthy and well balanced.
Do not allow your cat to leave the house if you are concerned about them catching fleas, getting rabies or coming in contact with poisonous fungus. While issues can affect your cat while inside as well, you run the risk of more when you offer outside as an option.
Being a cat owner should bring you pride. You’ve given it a safe home in which it is loved. You will develop a strong bond with your cat that will last a lifetime. Be sure you properly care for your cat, and it will also take care of you.