The joys of owning a cat are endless. However, as with any pet there is a lot of care involved when looking after a cat. Cat owners need to know of the responsibilities that come with having a feline. This article is full of information regarding those particular responsibilities. Keep reading to discover more ideas for good pet care.
It’s crucial that your pet gets checkups from your vet regularly. The vet will be able to provide your cat with needed vaccinations and any medications it requires. Veterinarians also keep tabs on your cat’s overall health and diagnose any problems they find. Try using the same vet during your cat’s life. This helps make sure your vet knows your cat’s history.
You should get your cat a tagged collar, even if it is not legally required. Cats enjoy traveling far away, so a tag can help your cat get back home when lost. The tag should contain your phone number as well as your cat’s name.
Give your cat lots of attention and love. Think of all the friendship and comfort cats provide to us. Your cat needs to socialize and get plenty of attention from everyone in your family. They want to feel like a contented and satisfied member of the family.
Talk to others when you have a problem with your cat. Advice from other people can be very beneficial for you. Your local veterinarian can be a valuable source of information, but there is also help available online by joining user forums geared toward cat owners.
Provide your cat with a drinking fountain. Cats like running water in the wild, as well as in the home. A constant stream of water will entice them to stay hydrated. Cats often like the running water more than their own bowl of water. Drinking fountains are more environmentally-friendly and they let your cat drink naturally.
If your cat uses the bathroom more than normal, or if they suddenly stop using the litter box, think about taking them to the veterinarian. Cats can show this behavior if they have a type of urinary tract infection or other health issue. Certain antibiotics prescribed by your vet can clear up the problem.
Litter Box
Carefully consider where you will locate your cats’ litter box. You may want to hide it away. This litter box must stay in an easy-to-find spot for your cat. Cats are quite finicky, so it is important to make their bathroom environment appealing them them or risk messes throughout the house. If the littler box is on cold, hard floor, try placing a rug beneath it.
Take your cat for vaccinations often to make sure he or she is healthy. Just like with having kids, young cats need to be checked on to see if they’re doing okay from time to time. It also needs its shots so that you can avoid problems later on down the road. Your cat is wonderful addition to the family, and must be cared for in the same way that you would treat all members of your household.
Give the cat a collar with your contact information. Even if you own an indoor cat, it’s possible he or she might escape. If this occurs, make sure they can return home.
Don’t use chemicals near your cat that have phenol. This chemical is present in many household cleaners, such as Pine-Sol and Lysol. This smell is very offensive to cats, and prolonged exposure can even damage their liver.
Preventing hairballs can help keep your cat sanitary and safe. Add one teaspoon of pumpkin to your cat’s food. You might even want to try to add a teaspoon of tuna water mixed together with the pumpkin to see if that helps. Cat food sometimes has an anti hairball formulation, which includes extra fiber in order to solve this issue.
An overfed cat will quickly become ill. Eating over the normal amount can cause them to develop serious health problems or become obese. Be careful to feed your cat the proper portion amount, and also make sure that his food is packed with vital vitamins and nutrients.
Cats can contract many illnesses that you do. You know your friend’s habits, and you should be able to tell when they’re not feeling well. It’s crucial that you have them checked by a vet. The vet will be able to make sure that they are not suffering from anything more serious.
Vet visits are often inevitable, and the bills can quickly pile up. You could save a lot of money if your order your cat’s medicine from an online retailer. Some companies will even deliver directly to your home. Buying frequently-used medicine this way can save you a lot of money.
Consider making your cat an indoor-only friend. Cats that go outside often generally don’t live as long, and they tend to get much sicker. Some diseases and parasites brought home by your cat could even be transmitted to your family. Make sure an indoor cat has a sunlit perch to keep him or her content.
Do not allow your pet to go without a tag and collar. Cats can escape. If there is a tagged collar on your cat, it’s more likely she’ll be returned to you if she gets lost.
As you know, the rewards of caring for a cat are numerous and can benefit you in a positive way. That said, it brings many responsibilities, too. Ensure you utilize the excellent tips in this article in order to raise a healthy cat.