Cats make great pets, but they can also make expensive pets. Between toys, litter, food, and vet visits, the costs of having a cat can make a person hesitant about owning one. Check out the tips provided below to gain a little insight on being a responsible cat owner.
Put bitter apple on all electrical cords. You can also cover your cords under a rug or tape them to walls. Loose cords can be bundled and tucked inside old paper towel rolls. If you own electronic devices with thin cords, you should keep them out of your cat’s reach when you’re not using them.
Cats can use their claws to destroy furniture and other parts of the house. If you have a cat that is wreaking havoc, buy a scratching post. They can scratch the post instead. It might take time, but eventually you will see that the damage to your furniture is diminished.
It’s not easy to keep cats off counters. If your cat is high, he can see everything that is going on. You may mitigate the problem by providing designated heights for them to use. A carefully placed cat tower in the kitchen will keep cats away from the counter.
Keep your cat amused. Cats require physical activity. But, too many cat owners fail to realize this. If your cat is bored, it might develop a depression, obsessive compulsive behaviors or ruin some of your furniture. Give them toys they can play with, play with them yourself, or at the least give them room to exercise. You need to provide your cats with something they can climb and scratch.
Cats will be up during the night more often than not. Do not be surprised if your cat is very active at night. Shut the door to your bedroom. This helps to muffle the sounds of nighttime play. This will keep the cats away while you’re trying to sleep because they won’t be jumping all over you.
Prevent crystals from forming in the urine of male cats with the right diet. These crystals can cause a lot of pain to your cat and could end up costing you a lot in medical expenses. Your cat’s food should be low in magnesium. Check the ingredients list on the label. Fish products can have more magnesium when compared to poultry.
You may be able to find a better deal on your cat’s prescription online instead of purchasing them from your veterinarian. Naturally, some stuff won’t be available online. However, if your pet gets regular prescriptions for a chronic or ongoing issue, you can often save up to 50 percent by shopping online.
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. Your local veterinarian can be a valuable source of information, but there is also help available online by joining user forums geared toward cat owners.
Litter Box
The location of a litter box is very important. It might be tempting to have it in a hidden area where you can’t see it or smell it. This litter box must stay in an easy-to-find spot for your cat. It has to be a quiet area with little traffic. Instead of just keeping the box on cold cement, add a rug or mat beneath it.
If your cat is refusing to use his litter box, you should try putting it in a different location. Cats know that during the elimination process they are left somewhat vulnerable, so moving the box to a more private area should help. Great suggestions include your basement and laundry room.
There are certain human foods that you should never feed to cats. Onions, garlic, grapes and green tomatoes are among these foods. If your cat eats these, it may cause him to get really sick or even worse. Milk could also lead to an upset stomach if the cat drinks it.
Preventing hairballs can help keep your cat sanitary and safe. Mix one teaspoon of pumpkin into your cat’s regular food. Try also mixing in some water from tuna with the pumpkin. In addition, certain cat foods contain ingredients that are made to prevent hairballs, such as fiber. This may help resolve the issue.
Any pet can cost a lot to properly care for, and that is also true of cats. Taking care of your cat can sometimes feel like looking after a child. As you can see, it is possible to save money while still taking excellent care of your pet cat.
