There are so many reasons to enjoy having a cat. Having said that, if you are a cat owner, understand that it requires some work. There are various responsibilities that cat owners must know. Thankfully, this piece will explain some of these responsibilities. Keep reading and discover valuable tips that will improve your pet ownership experience.
Check your local animal shelter if you have plans to get a cat. Shelters always have plenty of cats available and adoption fees are usually very affordable. When you bring home a shelter cat, you will be saving its life and you will be doing your part to help out.
Groom your cat. Remember to brush your cat’s fur and comb it regularly. If you do this often, their coat will stay clean. It can cut down on shedding and spitting up hairballs, too. If you groom your cat with care, both your pet and your home will look their best.
If you own a female cat, you should have her spayed when she is old enough. It does not matter if you an indoor cat; if she gets out when in heat, you can end up with many kittens. If you want to prevent this, spay your cat.
Regular vet visits are very important for your cat’s health. Your cat should always go to the vet for a check up, especially if they need shots. If your cat is having a health issue or injury, they need to be seen by their vet right away.
Do not allow your cat to get an electrical shock. Spray them with bitter apple, and they will stay away. If this does not work, make sure you cover the cords. Tuck loose cords into old toilet paper or paper towel rolls. Any electronic item not in use should be stored away where the cat can’t get to it.
Prevent crystals from forming in the urine of male cats with the right diet. If they have to pass the crystals it can cause the cat a lot of pain and paying a vet to help with this can cost you a lot of money. Look for foods that are low in magnesium for your cat. Look over the label. Foods that contain fish usually have more magnesium.
When traveling on the road with your cat, understand that they are sensitive to sounds. You may think it’s a good idea to listen to loud music on your stereo, but cats generally don’t enjoy this. Therefore, the volume of your music should be minimized, and turn it off completely if necessary.
Create a tablecloth for the feline. Often, a cat will remove food from his bowl to eat on the side. This creates extra work since you must then clean up the leftover loose food. To make clean up a breeze, use a place mat underneath the bowl or a piece of fabric. You’ll be able to pick it up easily and shake the excess food into the trash.
You should brush your cat on a regular basis. This will help stimulate blood flow. It is also a good way to reduce shedding. This is a good way to avoid hairballs, which are a serious health problem since they can cause choking.
Don’t get rid of an old scratching post. To your cat the post is just right. 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.
Use canned food for your cat. Although dry food is usually less expensive, canned food is better for your cat. Canned food will give your cat more water, fat and protein. It’s much easier for older cats to chew it as well. You should ask your vet for some recommendations if you are not sure what kind of food to get.
Always make sure that your cat has on identification tags and a collar. This is essential even for indoor cats. A naturally curious cat will readily wander out an open door or window. It is a good idea to include your own phone number along with the name and contact number of your veterinarian. This will be important especially if you have a cat with medical issues.
As you read, having a pet cat can be very beneficial. But good care is key to enabling your cat to maximize the duration of its life. Keep this information in mind if you want to bring a cat into your home.
