Cats are marvelous creatures. T.S. Eliot once said that households depend on cats, and there may be some truth to this. A well behaved and healthy cat can enhance any household. Sadly, cats can be temperamental. Here are some things you need to know if you’re going to be living with a cat.
You never want to leave the cords of your drapes dangling down. Don’t let the cat play with them since they can jump into them or play with them and get them around their neck if they have loops. This may seriously injure or kill your cat. Hang your drapery cords out of your cats’ sight to avoid this.
You should make sure your cat stays groomed properly. Just like dogs, cats require regular brushing and de-tangling. This will help them maintain a clean and healthy coat. It also stops hairballs. Keeping a cat groomed properly can help them and your home look great.
Spritz a little bitter apple on electrical cords to protect your cats. Keep your cords covered if you feel like your cat is hellbent on chewing them. If you have any loose cords around your home, try stuffing them into a used paper towel roll. Put away electronics that have tempting, thin cords when you’re not using them.
Avoid the chance that your male cat will develop crystals in his system that will come out in his urine by feeding a high quality diet. These crystals can cause a lot of pain to your cat and could end up costing you a lot in medical expenses. Food with a low magnesium content will help. Be sure that you read the label. Cat food with lots of fish tends to have more magnesium, while products with lots of poultry tend to have less.
You can sometimes find better prices for cat medication online than getting it from your veterinarian. In emergency situations, buying online may not be a good option. However, for standard medications, like flea medications or heart worm pills, online sources offer a substantial savings to pet owners.
Try to figure out the cause if you find your cat meowing excessively. After a while, you’ll start to recognize what some of the noises your cats makes mean. It may be a sign your cat needs food, or needs to be let outdoors. Look for the cues and you’ll be much more in tune with your pet.
You shouldn’t leave a young cat with children unattended. Younger children, especially under 5, cannot be left alone with your cat. Little children do not have the necessary skills yet to handle a pet by themselves. Once the child grows up a little, he might be more able to handle the kitten.
You should talk to other pet owners if you have an issue with yours. You can often get great advice from friends and family. 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.
If the cats scratching post is looking tired and worn out, never throw it away. When a post is worn, your cats may enjoy it more. Even if you throw it away and buy a new one, your cat may opt for tearing up your upholstery instead.
Feed canned food to your cat. Although it is usually more expensive, canned food offers real nutritional advantages. Canned food gives your cat more protein and the water content helps with hydration. It is easier for older cats to chew. Canned food is usually a great option for your cat, but talk with your vet.
A collar and tags are a great way that your cat can be identified if it is found stray. Even if your cat is a house cat, this is still a good idea. Cats tend to be curious and open doors and windows can be inviting. Those tags can help if someone finds your kitty. Make sure your info and your vets info is on it. This precaution is especially important when your cat has an existing medical condition.
Be patient with your pets when you introduce a second cat into your home. There will be an inevitable adjustment period as your two cats get to know each other. They may be leery of each other at first and fight. Eventually, they will come to tolerate and actually enjoy being together.
Litter Box
Really consider where you place the litter box. It might be tempting to have it in a hidden area where you can’t see it or smell it. You have to accept the fact that easy access for your cat is the first priority in choosing a spot for the litter box. To satisfy a cat’s demanding requirements, the litter box needs to be sited somewhere convenient and comfortable. For example, a rug or mat is a good way to make a litter box placed on a concrete floor more attractive to your cat.
Have your cat sport a collar that includes information regarding the owner’s name, address and telephone number. You may have an indoor pet, but that doesn’t mean it won’t ever get out. If this occurs, you should ensure you do all you can to get your cat back.
Owning a cat can be hard at times, but it is worth it. Whether your cat is a lazy ball of fur or an active ball of hair, it needs proper care. Soon, you’ll be hearing less meows and more purrs.
