A cat can make a wonderful addition to your family. If you have never had one, you should read this article before getting one. Below are some great tips and tricks that every cat owner needs to know in order to live happily with their new feline friend.
Move any drape cords out of a cat’s reach. It is easy for the cat to get his head caught among the cords when playing with them. This could seriously injure or even kill them. Pin and hide drape cords to avoid this.
Cats are curious by nature, which can end up getting them into trouble. They can get caught or stuck if they happen to be wearing a collar. Breakaway collars are made to come off if tugged on vigorously. This could save your cat’s life!
Putting a warm tile beneath the bed of an older cat will help it rest comfortably. You can heat a terracotta tile in the oven at 200 degrees for about 15-20 minutes. Put the tile inside a towel and place it under the cat’s bedding. If necessary, you can change out the tile after a few hours to provide continued warmth.
If you have an outdoor cat, be sure he or she has a tagged collar. Cats can travel far, and a tag will help you find the cat easier if they get lost. At the very least, you should include your contact info and the name of your cat on the tag.
You should never allow your cat to be bored all the time. Just like dogs, cats need playtime and physical exercise, too. Unfortunately, many owners do not realize this important part of ownership. A bored cat may fall victim to depression, compulsive disorders or issued that can be harmful to their health. Give them plenty of space to roam and provide them with toys to give them some exercise. If your cat is an indoor cat, a cat tower or scratching post makes an ideal source of fun and exercise.
A cat generally spends quite a bit of time grooming itself. If your kitty is a long-haired breed, the result of this might be hairballs. Buy your cat specialized food to prevent this problem. Some foods have special formula for hairball reduction, which will benefit you and your cat.
Put your cat’s food on a tablecloth. Often, a cat will remove food from his bowl to eat on the side. This creates extra work since you must then clean up the leftover loose food. To simplify your clean up duties, place a ready made placemat under the dish or purchase some inexpensive fabric and use it like a tablecloth.
Be careful when leaving your cat with your children. If children are younger than five years old, pets ought not be left with them. They are just not mature enough to understand the danger they can pose for the kitten. When children get a little older, they develop the skills needed to be around small animals.
Cats love high spots. Make sure your cat has a safe place to play. If you can’t afford a cat tree, give the cat an empty shelf of his own. For an additional treat, put a little bed or blanket in there, too.
Take time to train your cat to go into a car carrier. Cats don’t react to punishment like dogs do. Encouragement is usually a much better option. Placing some of your cats favorite items in the carrier can really help. Soon that cat will walk into the carrier on its own. Once the cat is comfortable with the carrier, you can transport it easily.
Feeding them lots of different foods can lower their chances of becoming finicky eaters. By feeding the cat the same kind of food over and over again, they become used to that specific food. Good luck getting it to try something new!
If adding an additional cat to your home, give the cats a couple of weeks to get comfortable with each other. They may still hiss and growl when they are in the same room together. Eventually they are going to get used to each other, and they may even end up becoming best friends.
Long haired cats take extra grooming time, so think about that before choosing one. The hair may be a gorgeous thing to behold, but it will require a lot of maintenance. You should not get a cat with long-hair unless you are ready to do a lot of cleaning. Not to mention cats that have long hair are more prone to getting issues with hairballs.
Litter Box
If you have a cat who won’t use the litter box, try moving it someplace else. Cats perceive using the bathroom as an activity that makes them vulnerable, so moving the litter box to a less-trafficked area means your cat is more likely to use it. Areas away from high activity are a good choice, such as basements and laundry rooms.
Dogs let you know when they are excited and/or happy when they wag their tails. A cat wagging its tail can have a very different meaning. If you see a cat’s tail moving like that, it is an indication that they are agitated or don’t know what to do. If while being held by you your cat’s tail begins to wag, you may want to put him down so that you are not scratched or hit.
There are things you can eat that your cat cannot. Grapes, onions and garlic are a few of the food items. If your cat eats these things then it can become ill or even die. Even a commonly fed food, milk, can make your kitty ill.
You won’t be sorry that you chose a cat for your new companion. These animals can be very loving and help you reduce your stress. However, you need to know the proper way to take care of a cat if you’re going to own one. Therefore, utilize the excellent advice found here to ensure that you obtain the maximum enjoyment from your cat.