Cats are fantastic pets, but there are certain things you need to know to care for them in the best way possible. If you have a cat, you must learn as much as you can about caring for your cat to keep it happy and healthy. Read these tips to be the best cat owner you can be.
Don’t leave drape cords near your cats. Never let your cats play with drape cords, as they could seriously injure themselves. This could cause injury or death. Keep all drape cords out of reach as a preventative measure.
It’s crucial that your pet gets checkups from your vet regularly. Your vet will provide your cat with the shots it needs to prevent disease. Your vet can also check the overall health of your cat. Do your best to keep the same vet for your pet’s entire life. This way they will know your cat’s history the best.
When your female cat is old enough, you should have her spayed. This is true even if you think your cat is indoors only. One escape can lead to a lot of small kittens around! Getting your cat spayed is a great way to stop this from going on.
Make sure your cat is out of harms way by putting a little bitter apple on all the electrical cords to avoid them getting shocked. If that doesn’t work, cover those cords up however you can. The tube from a used-up roll of paper towels makes an excellent shield for loose cords. All thin cords should be put up when you’re not using them.
It can be tricky to keep a cat off the kitchen counters. Cats have a natural predilection for staking out a nice elevated place where they have a good view of their surroundings. You may mitigate the problem by providing designated heights for them to use. If you place a cat tower around the kitchen area, they may be less likely to lay on your counters.
The litter box for your cat needs to be kept in a good place. Don’t put it where the cat can’t reach it or near their food. You’ll want to place the box in a spot with good ventilation to avoid unpleasant smells. Both you and your cat will be happier.
Give your cat lots of attention and love. Think of all the friendship and comfort cats provide to us. Similar to people, cats like to socialize and feel as if they are important to their family. Make them feel at home.
Set a tablecloth under your cat’s food bowl. Some cats prefer to remove their food from the dish and eat it off to the side. That can mean a bigger mess for you to clean. It’s easier to clean up this food by purchasing a placement and inserting it under your cat’s food bowl, or you could simply cut some fabric and make it into a tablecloth so you can easily pick up the food and throw it away.
If you give your kids a kitten, provide them with firm boundaries at the same time. Make sure your kids know where the cat can be. Be sure that your children understand that an indoor cat must never be allowed outdoors. This will ensure nothing bad happens.
Do not attempt to teach your cat how to use the litter box. This is natural to them and does not need to be taught. You may have heard that rubbing your cat;s paws in litter will help them learn, but that may have a traumatizing effect.
Regularly brush your cat’s hair. This will reduce the amount of bacteria on the fur. Also, it helps manage loose hair. Avoid the choking that can be a result of hairballs which slowly build up as your cat grooms himself.
Help your cat get accustomed to the carrier. Cats do not respond in the same way dogs do to punishment. Cats are better trained by using patient encouragement. Take their favorite blanket and place it within the carrier. Then leave the carrier with the door ajar in a frequented spot. Over time, the cat will feel comfortable and go inside the carrier. Let it happen naturally or with only mild coaxing. Do not get angry. A cat who is used to a carrier will not mind traveling, meaning it will be a much less stressful experience for them.
You should not get rid of your cat’s old scratching post. While it doesn’t appear clean and new, your cat probably thinks otherwise. For a cat, it is comfortable and familiar. Ditching the structure may alienate your cat, making it more likely to turn elsewhere in your home for its scratching needs.
Litter Box
Carefully consider where you will locate your cats’ litter box. You may believe that the litter box should be kept in a small place so that you won’t smell it. The thing to remember is that your cat must have easy access to the box. Cats can be finicky, so it is important that you give them an environment they feel comfortable in. If the littler box is on cold, hard floor, try placing a rug beneath it.
One way to get a cat to use the litter box is to move it to a different place in the house. Instinctively, cat’s will search out a safe place to eliminate, so try relocating the litter box to a quiet and secluded area. Try placing it in a laundry room or a basement, where there is limited traffic in the home.
Cats are wonderful pets, but must be properly cared for. Be sure and use the information in the article below if you are serious about taking care of your cat. With the proper care and love, your cat will live a long, healthy life.