Cats are terrific, but are quite particular. There are so many things you need to know if you’re going to own a cat. The article below has the information you need.
Drape Cords
Don’t leave drape cords near your cats. These can cause your cat to choke if they get a hold of it. This may hurt them or possibly cause death. All drape cords should be fastened and kept away from any harm that might come to the cats.
If you’d like to make an elderly cat’s bed more comfy, stick a heated tile beneath its bed. Put a square foot of terra cotta tile into your oven heated to 200 degrees. Keep the tile in the oven for about 15 minutes. Put it inside an old towel, then place it beneath the cat’s bed. This should be changed a few times a day to maximize comfort.
You should not use products designed for other animals. Cats often have negative reactions to dog products. This warning applies to products for getting rid of fleas. Your cat can die when exposed to flea prevention items made for dogs. Keep your cat away from your puppy after treating it with some flea products.
Your cat’s claws can wreck havoc on your furniture. If you have problems with a cat that shreds furniture, invest in a durable scratching post. Redirect your cat to the scratching post when they start to go after your furniture. Catnip can be put in the posts or on the tower to help train the cat to use it. It doesn’t happen overnight but with some patience, you should be able to save your house from the claws.
You may want to have a microchip put into your car. You never know when your cat could get away from you. Other measures like tags and collars are better than nothing, but your cat may wriggle out of them or they may be torn off by outdoor hazards. A microchip is tiny, similar in size to a single rice grain and capable of holding plenty of information. Almost every vet and shelter has a scanner these days, and they can retrieve your contact information should they find your pet.
Your cat most likely spends quite a bit of time grooming. Hairballs are more common in long-haired cats. Buy special food in order to help that problem. Some foods have special formula for hairball reduction, which will benefit you and your cat.
Children usually take well to cats, but if you have a small child, you may need to provide some instruction. Make sure your child knows how to pet a cat. Children need to know how to hold a cat and what sorts of play a cat likes. Keep in mind that a cat’s bones are much more fragile than a dog’s.
You need to establish some boundaries if you are getting a cat for your children. Make sure the children know where the cat is and is not allowed to roam. They should know that indoor cats can’t go outside. You need to establish some clear rules for your pet and ask everyone to follow them.
Owning a cat means a fair amount of work on your part. Use what you’ve just learned to make wise cat care decisions. The research will reward you both!