Owning a cat is a lot of fun. With great animals comes great responsibility, however, and you are obligated to take care of your pet. There are a few things that every person who owns a cat needs to know. Thankfully, the following article will tell you all you need to know. Keep reading to discover some great tips on caring for your feline companions.
Check-ups are an absolute must for any pet cat. Your vet can give you an idea of your cat’s overall health, in addition to administering any shots it may need. Make sure you keep the same veterinarian for your pet throughout its life. This way, the vet will be very familiar with your cat and its history.
Spay your female cat. Even if she is an inside cat, you need to spay her because she could get out. You can prevent this by spaying or neutering your cat.
If your cat is outdoors, it needs to have a tagged collar. Cats sometimes travel a bit when outside, and a tag prevents any mishaps due to your cat being lost. Have your phone number engraved on the tag.
It can be hard to make your cat stay off the counter. Cats enjoy going into high places so that they can see what’s going on around the house. You can get your cat to quit doing this if you make areas that it can climb up to. Placing a cat tower by the kitchen can keep cats from getting on counters.
Have your cat chipped so you can find him if he runs away. Even indoor cats may get out of your home at some point. Tags and collars are great, but they don’t always stay on your cat. They can also be a risk, should they get snagged on something. A teeny microchip can hold your contact information. 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.
Prevent crystals from forming in the urine of male cats with the right diet. This problem is painful for the cat and to your wallet, as well. Let your cat have food that doesn’t have a lot of magnesium in it. Be sure that you read the label. Foods that contain fish usually have more magnesium.
Make sure that you have a good tablecloth for your kitten. Sometimes cats like to take food out of the bowl and eat it to the side of the bowl. This creates extra work since you must then clean up the leftover loose food. Something as simple as a place mat can help make cleanup easier.
Don’t let your cat go outside. Cats come to harm outside every day. Your cat may get fleas or have other problems. Your cat could be injured by other animals, people and vehicles. If you allow your cat outside, make sure you live in a reasonably safe area.
Think twice before leaving a child alone with a kitten. A child less than five years old should not be left alone with a small pet. Young children are not yet mature enough to realize what behaviors are dangerous to a cat. As a kid ages, they can show maturity with handling a little pet.
You can tap fellow cat owners for advice if you’re having problems with your pet. Although you may feel like you don’t need help, other owners may be able to give you good advice. There are many online cat forums that will help you get questions answered. You could also try asking your vet.
Take time to train your cat to go into a car carrier. Cats can’t be punished like dogs. Instead, cats are more likely to respond to words of encouragement. Placing some of your cats favorite items in the carrier can really help. Your cat will start to venture into their carrier more often, until they are completely comfortable with it. As the cat becomes used to being in the carrier, it will become easier to transport them in it.
Make sure your cat has identification and a collar all the time. Even an indoor pet should have this. Cats are naturally curious and a door or window that’s open invites exploration. The identification tags should contain your home phone number and the number for your veterinarian. Include your cat’s special diet or medical needs on his identification.
When your cat starts urinating often or in odd places, it may be time to see the vet. For instance, it may be a sign the cat has a problem with its urinary tract. It could be the sign of other issues as well. Affordable antibiotics can solve concerns that may otherwise be quite serious.
As was stated in the beginning of this article, you can benefit a great deal from owning a cat. That said, it brings many responsibilities, too. Take heed of the advice you’ve just been given if you’re going to bring a kitty home.
