Cats have no competition in the animal kingdom and are easily the best pets to keep around the home for several reasons. Cats offer lots of entertainment, while also ridding the home of rodents. Cats are often the unsung heroes of the home and prevent many critters from breaching the perimeter.
You never want to leave the cords of your drapes dangling down. Do not let your cat play with these. If the cords are in loops and the cat jumps into them or plays with them, they could possibly get them caught around their neck. This may harm or kill them. To prevent this from happening, keep any drape cords pinned away from any eyes.
Ensure that you groom your cat regularly and properly. Cats have to be brushed or combed on a regular basis. Do this often in order to aid in keeping your cat’s outer coat clean and healthy. This will also cut down on shedding and can reduce issues with hairballs. Brushing your cat will keep your home cleaner, too.
Be sure your cat gets regular checkups at the vet. A routine check-up should happen annually, and more often if necessary shots are due. Cats should see a vet right away if any health problems or injuries needing treatment occur.
It can be tricky to keep a cat off the kitchen counters. Cats like to be up high, where they can watch everything going on. You can try to combat this problem by designating some high-up places for your cat to hang out. The use of a cat tower within your kitchen or close by can help make the cats stay off the counter.
Get a microchip for your cat. One day, your indoor cat might leave through an open door or get outside through an open window. A tagged collar might help get kitty home, but it can just as easily come off if snagged on a branch. A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and can hold all of your contact information. All shelters and vets have scanners to ensure your cat gets home safely.
You should never allow your cat to be bored all the time. Cats require physical activity. Many owners just don’t have time. Bored cats can develop depression and other harmful health conditions. Give them toys and things to do. You need to provide your cats with something they can climb and scratch.
A proper diet for male cats will help prevent kidney problems that cause them to pass crystals with their urine. It is painful for your cat to pass these crystals and the cost to have this treated by a vet is high. Let your cat have food that doesn’t have a lot of magnesium in it. Be sure that you read the label. Products that contain fish are normally much higher in magnesium over ones containing poultry.
Try to figure out the cause if you find your cat meowing excessively. By paying attention, you should eventually learn why your cat is meowing. The cat may want something to eat or to get let out. Understand your cat’s preferences, and you’ll be that much better off.
Understand that leaving a small kitten together with small children can be dangerous to both. Younger children, especially under 5, cannot be left alone with your cat. These children just do not possess the maturity to handle a kitten. They aren’t aware of the danger that they can cause to it. As a kid ages, they can show maturity with handling a little pet.
Purchase a drinking fountain for your cat. When cats are in the wild they tend to prefer water that is running when they are thirsty, this applies to cats at home. Cats prefer to drink water that is streaming. You have perhaps noticed that your cat enjoys drinking from the running sink. A fountain will allow your cat to drink like he or she is in the wild.
Cat Wears
Ensure that your cat wears a collar and identification tags at all times. This will be important even if you have an indoor cat. Cats can be very curious and they may escape out of a door or a window. The tag your cat wears should display your number and your veterinarian’s information. If your kitty has medical conditions, this information can be a life saver.
Pay attention to your cat’s litter box habits. If it stops using the box, medical problems could be to blame. There are a number of health issues that can lead a well-trained cat to urinate in places other than their litter box. A urinary infection or a kidney problem could be responsible for your cat’s behavior. If this happens, you are advised to take your cat to the vet.
Put a collar on the cat that lists your name, address, and phone number on it. Your indoor pet might even get out if you leave a window open. If this occurs, you must be sure that your animal can find its way home.
Cats can get sick, too. You will be able to tell when the cat isn’t well. Always take your cat to the vet if you suspect illness. The vet can then rule out serious conditions.
Keep your cat inside if you don’t want him getting fleas, rabies or anything else. While issues can affect your cat while inside as well, you run the risk of more when you offer outside as an option.
It’s best to keep your pet cat indoors. Most cats that reside outdoors tend to lead shorter lives, and are more easily apt to get a disease that could seriously harm them. Some of the illnesses can actually be passed along to members of the household. Let your indoor cat have a place where it can look out a window so that they can get the feeling of the outdoors from an indoor location.
Cats aren’t the same as owning a dog or other pet; however, the rewards to be had can be greater for you. Cats can provide your home with a peaceful serenity, which dogs rarely do. With such wonderful qualities, it’s no wonder cats are very popular.