Cats aren’t simple to please. As soon as you obtain a cat, you discover that figuring them out is a life long process. However, with the right knowledge, you can easily take proper care of them and ensure their happiness. Here are a few helpful tips to teach you how to care for your cat.
Animal Shelter
Check your local animal shelter if you have plans to get 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. When a cat is adopted from an animal shelter it saves its life and it helps control the cat population.
You should not use products designed for other animals. They can have very strong and possibly negative reactions to dog products. When it comes to flea products this is particularly true. Canine flea products can be lethal to a cat. Keep your cat away from your puppy after treating it with some flea products.
If you need cat medication, consider searching online instead of using your veterinarian in order to find a better deal. There may be some cases in which you cannot buy online, such as in an emergency. But, if your cat is on a regular medication, you can save quite a bit by buying it online.
Though cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Show your kids the proper way to handle cats. Help them learn how to pick up a cat and care for it. Tell them that a cat’s bones need to be handled more gently than those of a dog.
Create a tablecloth just for your cat. Cats sometimes like to eat food outside of their bowl. That means you will have to tidy up the food left beside the cat bowl. Simply place a cloth placemat that will grab at the food under their plate and then shaken out over the trash. You can put a vinyl one underneath that can be picked up wiped down easily if you prefer.
Do you have a cat and a dog? Dogs often take advantage of dining on the cat’s food. If you’re having a problem with this, make your cat’s eating area high enough that your dog cannot reach. In doing so, you prevent spats and spitting over competition for water.
Discuss any issues you have with your pet with others. Although you may want to go it alone, it can be helpful to seek advice from other people that have experience owning cats. The Internet will allow you to contact many forums and online communities for cat owners. Don’t forget, your vet’s office can also provide sound advice.
Take the time to make your cat familiar and comfortable with a carrier. Cats and dogs do not usually respond the same ways to punishment. Positive reinforcement is a better training tool for cats. Put a favorite blanket and toy in the carrier and leave it open somewhere the cat frequents. The cat will feel safe when it enters this carrier after a while. Then, you will have no problem using the carrier.
The information from this article can help you care for your cat. Use them to make sure your cat’s health and needs are handled, so that you can be sure that all his needs are being met. Your cat will be in better health and much happier if you are a good pet owner. Well…maybe.