As one of the best pets out there, cats are a pleasure to have, but caring for them can get a bit spendy. The cost of vet bills, food, toys, and cat litter are enough to make any person reconsider owning a cat. The following article has some great advice to help you care for your cat.
Make sure your cat is always well groomed. They need to be brushed every day. If you do this often, their coat will stay clean. Having a clean fur coat helps reduce the amount of hairballs that get spit up around the house. A well groomed cat will be much more pleasant for everyone and will also help you keep your home clean.
If your cat goes outside, it is important to have a collar with a tag. Understand that cats may travel a long distance; therefore, if it gets lost, this tag will assist you and others in finding it. You have to be sure you have your pet’s name and number written on the tag.
Your home furnishings can fall victim to your cat’s sharp claws. If you have a cat that is wreaking havoc, buy a scratching post. Place this device into an area that your cat frequents, and attempt to get your cat to scratch it rather than the furniture. It may take some time and some corrections, but it can usually eliminate the problem.
Think about having a microchip inserted in your cat. Even an indoor cat could someday jump through an open window. Tags and collars are great, but if a cat escapes them, there’s no guaranteeing they’ll make it home safe and sound. Microchips are as tiny as a piece of rice and will tell people where the cat belongs. All shelters and vets have scanners to ensure your cat gets home safely.
Cats frequently groom themselves. However, if it has a lot of hair, hairballs can occur. To help prevent this from occurring, buy your cat special food. The are specially formulated cat foods that help reduce the instances of hairballs, which is not only good for your cat, but also good for you and your feet in the middle of the night.
Male cats may develop crystals in the urine, which usually occur as a result of a poor diet. Passing stones or crystals hurts and can cost you a ton in vet bills if they don’t come out naturally. Make sure your cat’s food is not high in magnesium. Read the label. Poultry products will tend to have lower amounts than seafood based products.
A tablecloth for the feeding area can be quite useful. Cats will sometimes pluck food from the bowl and enjoy it straight off the ground. Sometimes this will make the area around the bowl messy, and you’ll have to clean it. It’s easier to clean up this food by purchasing a placement and inserting it under your cat’s food bowl, or you could simply cut some fabric and make it into a tablecloth so you can easily pick up the food and throw it away.
Do all you can to figure out what’s causing your cat to meow. If you stay around a cat for a period of time you will figure out what their verbal cues mean. Possibilities include that she is hungry or wants to be let outside. You’ll learn her cues quickly.
Understand that leaving a small kitten together with small children can be dangerous to both. Particularly if the children are younger than five, they need supervision. Little children do not have the necessary skills yet to handle a pet by themselves. As children get older, decide when they show the maturity to handle a small pet.
Cats enjoy being high up. Elevate your cat so that it can scan the area. You can use a cleared shelf if you’d rather not have a cat tree. You could even place a small bed or blanket on the shelf to make your cat feel more comfortable.
Make sure that you do not instruct your cat on using the litter box. This is the sort of thing which flows naturally. It’s not a good idea to rub your cats paws in litter. Some people think this is the way to train. It isn’t.
You should never punish your cat for not using the litter box. Usually, this sort of thing happens when the box isn’t being tended to properly. If you get mad, they’ll never use the box again.
Keep a breakaway collar and tag on your cat. This is important even if your pet lives indoors. Your cat will go out as soon as you leave a door or a window open. The tag your cat wears should display your number and your veterinarian’s information. Include your cat’s special diet or medical needs on his identification.
Let your cat take its time when you add a new cat to your home. In the early days, you may see a lot of posturing from the cats including hissing and swatting at each other. Sooner or later, they’ll tolerate and even begin to love each other.
Taking your cat to the vet regularly to get proper vaccinations and check-ups will ensure that your pet enjoys a long and healthy life with you. Similar to kids, cats need shots and check-ups to prevent health problems. Remember that the four-pawed members of your family need healthcare just as much as the ones that walk on two feet.
Caring for any pet properly involves a fair amount of effort, and cats are certainly included. Caring for cat is almost like having a child, considering what needs to be done to take care of them. As you’ve seen here, your cat expenditures can be reduced while still allowing you to take good care of your cat.
