Cats can be wonderful companions. Cats do not require a lot of attention, so they are the perfect pet if you are always on the go. Use the information in this article about caring for your cat properly and ensuring it has an enjoyable and healthy life.
You should take your cat to the vet on a regular basis to maintain optimum health. They should have regular check ups annually, and more appointments should be made if they need to get important shots. Cats must see their vet right away if they start having health issues, injuries or other problems.
You shouldn’t ever use products designed to be used on dogs on your cat. Cats usually react negatively to items made especially for dogs. This will especially be true if it’s a product for fleas. Your cat may die if you use dog flea products on it. Make sure to separate your cat from your dog after spraying.
If you have an outdoor kitty, make sure to invest in a break away collar with an identification tag. Cats can go far from home and without a tag they could become lost forever. At least put your phone number and pets name on the tag.
You should never allow your cat to be bored all the time. Cats need stimulation. Unfortunately there are too many cat owners who don’t properly exercise their cats. Bored cats are more prone to depression, obsessive compulsive disorders, as well as many other behavioral issues. Give them toys they can play with, play with them yourself, or at the least give them room to exercise. If they stay indoors make sure they have a scratching post for climbing.
Is your home also the home of both a dog and cat? Dogs will always try to eat a cat’s food. Because of this, you should make the place that your cat food is in higher up so that the dog cannot reach it. The added benefit is that you will prevent fights over the other animals food and water when one of them runs out.
Get your cat used to a carrier. Cats can’t be punished like dogs. They need positive reinforcement. Place a loved blanket and favorite toy into a carrier and then leave the door open. Make sure it’s in an area that the cat frequents. In time, the cat will head inside and be happy. As the cat becomes used to being in the carrier, it will become easier to transport them in it.
Keep old, worn scratching posts. It’s in this condition that cats tend to love it the most. If you throw it away, you may find your cat scratching on other surfaces.
You need to provide your cat with a drinking fountain. Cats that live in the wild like drinking from running water, and they have the same desires in a home. Streams of water will attract your cat. In fact, the running water in a sink garnishes more attention from a cat than their water bowl usually does. A fountain will allow your cat to have the happiness of drinking from running water.
Make canned food the mainstay of your cat’s diet. It sometimes has more benefits over dry. Your cat can get more water, fat and protein from canned food. Older cats also find it easier to chew up. Speak with your vet to determine the proper course of action to take.
Keep a collar with ID on your cat. This applies even to indoor cats. You know how curious cats are, and any open door can mean the cat disappears. Those tags can help if someone finds your kitty. Make sure your info and your vets info is on it. This is very critical if your feline has specific medical issues.
New cats are sometimes not welcomed in the home. They may be leery of each other at first and fight. With enough time to acclimate themselves to the new arrangement, though, virtually any two cats will become willing, friendly, and perhaps even inseparable companions.
Make sure you provide adequate space to a cat that is about to give birth. It can take as much as about 4 hours for all the kittens to be born after labor starts. If it’s been over 6 hours and you think there are more kittens inside, they need to see a vet immediately.
Don’t use products with phenol in a house with a cat. A lot of household cleaners have this in them, so you should read the labels before using them around your cat. The smell is offensive to cats, and prolonged exposure can lead to liver problems.
If your cat’s been declawed, you should never let them outside. They can’t defend themselves against other animals and cats, which can risk injuries or death. Indoor cats are the only ones that should ever be declawed. If you must declaw a cat, only do it to the front paws. You do not have to touch claws on the back, as these claws do not damage the floor.
Due to their affectionate nature, their self-reliance, and their brains, cats are excellent animal companions. Educate yourself to make sure your cat is properly taken care of. Keep the advice from this article in mind to become the best cat owner you can be. This lets your cat be happy for a long time.
