Curiosity is something that every cat has. Cats prefer to be near you most of the time. Cats may be confusing, but having them purring on your lap is priceless. You should keep reading to learn how you can properly care for your beloved pet.
To safely help an old cat feel comfortable, place a heated tile under its bed. Just heat a one-foot square terra cotta tile in your oven at about 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Wrap this in a towel that’s old and then place it under the bed the cat sleeps on. If necessary, change this out every few hours.
Keeping your cats away from the counters can be hard. One thing they like about it is they enjoy being high up. You can remedy this by creating some place up high that you can can enjoy hanging out in. If you don’t want your cats to jump on your counters, you can put a cat condo in or around the kitchen.
Cats are generally nocturnal. This means their behavior is quite active during the night. Try closing the door if your cats are keeping you awake at night. This will ensure they don’t pounce on you at nighttime, or wake you up in other ways.
Be sure you think about your cat’s ears when traveling. You may think it’s a good idea to listen to loud music on your stereo, but cats generally don’t enjoy this. Therefore, keep your music or other sounds at an acceptable level.
When you get a cat for your kids, make sure your kids know the rules in advance. Make sure your children know what rooms the cat can go into and what rooms it can’t. If the cat is to be indoors, tell your children not to allow him outside. Make sure your children understand the rules from the get go.
Try to figure out why your cat makes meowing sounds. If you stay around a cat for a period of time you will figure out what their verbal cues mean. It may be a sign your cat needs food, or needs to be let outdoors. You should pay attention to these cues and you will eventually learn to decipher them.
Brush your pet often. Brushing spreads natural oils throughout a cat’s fur, and also helps stimulate blood flow in their skin. It is also a good way to reduce shedding. This can reduce hairballs which can be harmful to a cat and build up in their stomachs.
If your cat relieves itself somewhere other than its litter box, it shouldn’t be punished. Usually, this sort of thing happens when the box isn’t being tended to properly. Punishing your cat will just make them afraid of you later on.
You need to buy some quality food for your cat. Check out the ingredients, and make sure meat tops the list. Don’t feed your cat food that includes corn or other fillers. Since cats are carnivorous, they require animal protein to stay in the best health.
Moist, canned food can be a very good option for your cat. Dry food is less expensive, but canned food provides more benefits. Canned food generally provides more nutrients, protein and fat as well as liquids. As a cat ages, it has a harder time chewing. Speak with your veterinarian before making any major changes, however in general, canned food is better for your cat.
If you want a cat with long hair, be prepared to put in extra time and care. The hair may be a gorgeous thing to behold, but it will require a lot of maintenance. Do not choose a long-haired cat unless you can commit to the added cleanup. Long haired cats often have hairball problems.
Cats are not always easy to figure out, but they certainly can make loyal friends if you let them. Use what you have learned here to ensure that your cat is healthy and happy in your home. When you know how to take care of your cat, you’ll both be happier.