Cats are very pleasant and loving animals if you take good care of them. A little self-education can transform you into the kind of responsible cat owner that keeps their feline friends happy and affectionate over the course of a long and healthy life. This article is like a Rosetta Stone of cat care information.
Check out the shelter when adopting a cat. Shelters around the country are overflowing, and the cats there need more humans to help. Adoption fees often include things like spaying or neutering them, shots or other vet care. You really are saving a life and keeping the feline population in check all in one!
Female Cat
Spay your female cat. Even if you have an indoor female cat, if it escapes when it’s in heat it could get you a bunch of kittens you weren’t planning on having. A spayed cat is a safe cat.
Spraying the electrical cords in your home with a bitter apple solution helps keep the cats from chewing on them. If your cat likes to chew cords, hide the cords as best you can. If you have any loose cords around your home, try stuffing them into a used paper towel roll. Cats are drawn to wires and cords, so you should keep them out of sight and out of mind if they are not being used.
Some cats like to scratch up floors and furniture. You need to get a scratching post or a cat tower to prevent your cat from ruining your furniture. Use catnip or other scents that are attractive to your kitty to encourage him to go there. It might take time, but eventually you will see that the damage to your furniture is diminished.
Though cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. You need to show your children how the cat should be treated. Show them how to gently pick kitty up and what kinds of activities are appropriate. Tell them that a cat’s bones need to be handled more gently than those of a dog.
Do you own both a dog and a cat? Dogs will eat a cat’s food any time they’re given the chance. You should keep your cat food away from the dog. Doing this will also help you avoid fights over the water bowl.
Don’t throw away your cat’s old scratching post. The cats loves it the most in this condition. By removing the old item and replacing it with a new one, your cat may try to find another item to scratch. This could end up being furniture.
Drinking Fountain
You should install a small drinking fountain for your cat. A cat will always drink from running water if possible. The drinking fountain will look more inviting than a water bowl. Many cats prefer running water over their water dish. A fountain will allow your cat to drink like he or she is in the wild.
Be patient with your pets when you introduce a second cat into your home. There will be an inevitable adjustment period as your two cats get to know each other. Two cats may fight, hiss, or hide from each other until they become more comfortable. Eventually they will grow accustomed to it and start tolerating or even enjoying each other’s company.
Think about the extra work before buying a long-haired cat. Long-haired cats are beautiful animals, but keep in mind that they will shed everywhere in your home. Unless you have time to dedicate to cleaning up their fur, don’t get long haired cats. You should keep in mind that long haired cats are more prone to hairballs.
Litter Box
If you’re dealing with a cat that won’t use the litter box, you should place it somewhere else. Whenever a cat is using the restroom, it feels vulnerable; therefore, the litter box needs to be kept in a safe and quiet location. Some great examples of such locations are basements, laundry rooms or any other less frequently used room in your home.
When a dog wags it’s tail, it’s telling you that it is excited or happy. Cats wag their tails, but definitely not for the same reason. Tail wagging for a cat is more subtle and can indicate many different emotions. Sometimes a cat wags its tail when threatened or frightened. If you notice you cat begin to wag his tail when you are holding him, put him down to be sure you are not scratched or swatted.
Cats make wonderful pets as long as they are properly cared for. Read this article as many times as needed. If you care for your cat properly, you are giving your cat the gift of a long, healthy life.