Cats are amazing pets, but they can be a finicky lot! Every decision you make regarding your pet’s care has a consequence, be it good or bad. Read on for ideas and insights that will benefit you, your cat, and your entire household.
Be certain your cat has regular vet visits. They should go at least once yearly for a check-up, and more often if they need any shots. If there are more pressing health problems, take your cat to the vet right away.
Prevent your cat from chewing on electrical cords by spraying bitter apple on them. Cords should be covered, especially if your cat tends to chew on them. Use some paper towel rolls to tuck loose cords. Store electronics when they are not in use rather than leaving them plugged in.
It’s very important to get your cat microchipped. Even though a cat may live inside, you never know if it will run out the door to escape. While a collar with a tag is useful, remember that your cat may be able to escape from the collar while they are away. Collars can also harm your cat if they get caught. Microchips are minuscule, but can hold all the essential information about your cat and its hope. The majority of veterinarians possess scanners that can read your chips. Because these chips are placed underneath your cat’s skin, they won’t get lost.
Most cats are very nocturnal. Your cat will probably be very active during the night. If your busy kitties are keeping you up into the wee hours, try simply closing your bedroom door. This can keep them from waking you up at night and from pouncing on feet under the blankets.
While usually cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Spend time instructing your children on cat care. Spend some time showing them how to lift a cat and how they can interact with the cat. A cat’s bones can be quite fragile and they need to be treated gently.
When getting a little kitty for your kid, set boundaries beforehand. Let your children know what rooms you will allow the cat to go into. Advise your children not to let the cat out if it is to be an indoor cat. Your children will be able to understand the rules more easily if they know them ahead of time.
If you want to let your cat outside, think again. Your cat might not be safe outside. Your cat can pick up fleas, or worse. Cars, people, or animals could hurt your beloved pet. If the cat must go outside, set aside a small part of the backyard or front lawn as a place where they can go.
Are you the owner of a dog and a cat? Understand that dogs will usually eat cat’s food if they can. Therefore, your cat’s food bowl should be placed in a high location that is out of your dog’s reach. This also has the effect of stopping fights over the water before they start.
You should brush your cat very regularly. Brushing spreads natural oils throughout a cat’s fur, and also helps stimulate blood flow in their skin. It can also reduce the amount of loose hair they have. This avoids the hairball problem, which may lead to choking and a buildup of hair in the stomach.
Never punish the cat if he or she causes a mess outside the litter box. When this occurs, it tends to be because the box is not being maintained properly. If you get mad, they’ll never use the box again.
Get your cat accustomed to a carrier. Cats never respond to punishment the way that dogs do. Encouragement is a better way to get your cats to perform. Put their favorite toy and blanket in a carrier. Leave it somewhere they always go to. This will teach your cat that the carrier is a good thing. Transporting your cat inside the carrier will then become much easier.
Feeding them lots of different foods can lower their chances of becoming finicky eaters. If you feed your cat the same food all the time, your cat will likely be uninterested any any other brand or flavor.
Your cat should be given food from a can. Yes, dry food is cheaper, but canned food really has a lot more benefits. Canned food provides more water content for your cat as well as more fat and protein. Canned food is much easier to chew for older cats. Speak with your vet to determine the proper course of action to take.
Caring for a cat is sometimes quite involved. If you follow the advice in this article you can be a great cat owner. Doing some research will make things go better in the end.