The joys of owning a cat are endless. You also have to realize that having your own cat is hard work. As the owner of a cat, you have many very important obligations to your pet. Thankfully, this piece will explain some of these responsibilities. Read them to keep your cat strong and happy.
Female cats need to be spayed as soon as they reach the proper age. It does not matter if you an indoor cat; if she gets out when in heat, you can end up with many kittens. Getting your cat spayed is the best in regards to prevention.
Be attentive to your cat and give them your love and company, often. Cats need just as much companionship as they give out. Cats need a social life with people just like you do with other people. They also like feeling important and a big member of the family.
Look online for cat medicine. When an emergency strikes, however, you may not have the option of buying medications on the Internet. If you regularly need to buy pet medication, you can get a savings of up to 50 percent online.
Reconsider having an outdoor cat. Letting your cat outside greatly increases his risk level. Your cat may get fleas or have other problems. Cats can be gravely injured or killed by eating poisonous plants, flowers or chemicals, hit by a car or even harmed by neighbors who are irritated with your cat on their property. Cage in an area for a cat in your backyard if they must go outside.
Are you the owner of a dog and a cat? Dogs often take advantage of dining on the cat’s food. This is why it is necessary to have two separate feeding areas. That also means they don’t fight about water after eating the food.
While a torn up scratching post might look unattractive, do not get rid of it. This is the time when your cats actually most prefer it. Removing the post could cause your cat to look for something else scratch, possibly damaging your furniture.
Feed canned food to your cat. Food that is dry is cheaper but canned food is better for your cat’s health. It has water content, which is good for cats with bladder issues. Aging cats will find it easier to chew. Talk to your vet, but canned food is generally superior for your cat.
If you are thinking about adding another cat to your home, you need to set aside a couple of weeks where you let the animals get used to being around each other. In the early days, you may see a lot of posturing from the cats including hissing and swatting at each other. If you give them enough time though, chances are good they will befriend each other and enjoy the extra company.
There are certain foods that you might eat everyday that are not healthy for your cat. Grapes, onions and garlic are a few of the food items. Your cat can get sick after eating these foods. Milk can also end up giving your cat an upset stomach.
Never offer table scraps to your cat. People food is bad for cats, given its ingredients, preservatives and common cooking techniques utilized. If you really want to treat your cat, try a tablespoon or so of cooked chicken or beef, or a little egg. However, if you feed a cat the right cat food, he is already getting proper nutrition.
Cats often require a visit to your veterinarian, but that can get very expensive. You could save a lot of money if your order your cat’s medicine from an online retailer. Many places will deliver the goods to your doorstep. This is great for medicine like flea treatments and heart worm pills that your cat takes monthly.
Think about having your cat just be indoors. Outdoor cats die younger and end up sick quite often. These diseases are bad enough for the cats and they can also be passed along to humans. Let your cat hop up into windows and watch the birds outside safely.
It is important that you treat your cats with tick and flea medications year-round. There are drops you use monthly that can be effective. Using these chemicals protects your pet from parasitic organisms, many of which are capable of causing serious illness. Choose a cat-specific brand to ensure their safety.
Do not let cats stay outside in bad weather. Examples of times to keep your cat inside are during cold snaps, storms and periods of high wind. Cats look for places to hide in these types of weather and that may include underneath a car hood. You could lose your pet if the owner suddenly turns on the car.
Christmas Tree
Watch your cat around the Christmas tree during the holiday seasons. Cats are extremely curious creatures; therefore, whenever you place Christmas decorations and a Christmas tree in your home, cats may attempt to claw the decorations and climb up the tree. Do not allow your pet to prowl around your tree. You must also ensure that there are no loose garlands, ornaments or tinsel that might be eaten by the cat.
As you’ve read, owning a cat can be a great benefit. If you want them to live a happier and longer life, however, you must care for them properly. Take the advice below into account if you’re thinking about becoming a cat owner.