Cats need a diet that gives them all of the nutrients that they require. Without these basic needs, you could have an unhappy and unhealthy cat. You can learn more about what foods your cat should be eating by reading the article below.
Drape Cords
Drape cords should be kept distant from cats. You should not allow your cat to play with drape cords since they could end up with the cord wrapped around their neck. This could hurt or kill them. Secure your cords so they are out of the way and out of sight.
If your cat is a female, it needs to be spayed when it reaches the appropriate age. If an indoor cat gets out, you may soon have kittens. You can prevent this by spaying or neutering your cat.
Don’t use dog products on your cats ever. Cats will have a reaction that’s negative towards a product made for dogs. Flea products are a prime example. These dog flea products can even cause feline death. Once you use flea prevention products on your dog, it should be kept separately from the cat for hours.
Lessen the chances of your cat becoming harmed or killed by spraying all electric cords with something to keep them from chewing it. Bitter apple is a good choice and can be found at most pet stores. Cords should be covered, especially if your cat tends to chew on them. Use some paper towel rolls to tuck loose cords. Any electrical cords that are really thin (and very tempting) should really be hidden whenever possible.
Avoid bladder crystals and stones by feeding high quality food. These crystals can cause your cat pain to pass, and your vet bill can be expensive. Look for foods that are low in magnesium for your cat. Read the labels. Avoid fish products.
Remember that very young children can be a bit too rough with a cat or new kitten. 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. Cat’s bones aren’t quite as strong as dogs, so they must be treated gingerly.
Brush your cat on a regular basis. This keeps the fur well oiled and the skin healthy. You will also decrease the amount of fur throughout your home. This can keep hairballs at bay because this can choke up a cat and also build up in its stomach.
If your cat does not use the litter box, do not use punishments to try to discipline him. Usually this is a sign that you haven’t cleaned the box recently. Punishments given to the cat will just make him or her less willing to be around its owner going forward.
Keep old, worn scratching posts. While it doesn’t appear clean and new, your cat probably thinks otherwise. For a cat, it is comfortable and familiar. When you bring in a new post, the cat may ignore it.
Feeding your cat the proper canned food is ideal. Although it is usually more expensive, canned food offers real nutritional advantages. Canned food is rich in protein and fat and also has a higher water content. For aging cats, it is also easier to chew. You should ask your vet for some recommendations if you are not sure what kind of food to get.
If you just own one cat but are considering obtaining another one, then you should ensure you allow a few weeks for your old cat and new one to become familiar with each other. The cats might hiss, swat and hide from each other at first. Eventually, they will come to tolerate and actually enjoy being together.
Cat Urinates
If your cat urinates frequently or outside his box, you may need to talk to your vet. A change in where or how a cat urinates can signal a UTI or other health problem. A quick course of antibiotics can head off dangerous complications if you get your cat diagnosed and treated early enough.
When your cat is nearly ready to have her kittens, prepare a spacious, but protected area for your cat to give birth. Delivery can take between three and four hours. Should the time run to six hours, and you think more kittens are due, get the cat to the vet immedietely
Dogs will wag their tails often to show their owners that they’re excited to see them. Cats also wag their tails, but for totally different reasons. If your cats tail is wagging, it could indicate that the animal is facing a fight-or-flight situation. It also suggests possible conflict or uncertainty. Along the same line, if your cat wags its tail while you are holding it, you should put it down to avoid getting scratched.
There are things you can eat that your cat cannot. Examples of problem foods include garlic, green tomatoes, onions and grapes. Ingesting these foods can end up making your cat really sick or worse. Dairy, including milk, is also not a good thing to give your cat.
Any chemicals that have phenol should be kept away from your cat. This chemical is present in many household cleaners, such as Pine-Sol and Lysol. The smell offends them and being exposed to it for several hours can cause liver problems.
Do not let a declawed cat outside. They won’t be able to protect themselves against other animals, and they run the risk of getting seriously injured. Cats should only be declawed if they’re going to be inside fulltime. It is still best to just remove the front claws. You do not have to touch claws on the back, as these claws do not damage the floor.
Diet is a huge factor in any cat’s health. A diet with an overabundance of bad food or even just minimal amounts of right foods can leave your cat unhealthy, unhappy and even dead too early. Do what is best for the cat and provide good food.