Is there a feline member of your family? If you are, then you will know how precious that cat is. A cat requires lots of care and love. However, you are more than capable of meeting your cat’s needs. Keep reading for some excellent advice on cat care.
Take your cat in for regular vet exams. Cats need yearly shots and overall health assessments. Try using the same vet during your cat’s life. That way, the doctor will be familiar with the history of your cat.
If your cat is getting older, you can increase it’s comfort by placing its bed over a heated tile. Bake a one-foot tile made from terra cotta in the oven at 200 degrees F for around 15 to 20 minutes. You should wrap it with a towel and place it under the bed your cat uses. If you want, you can change it for a newly warmed tile a few hours later.
Female Cat
Spay your cat as soon as she is old enough. Even if you have an indoor female cat, if it escapes when it’s in heat it could get you a bunch of kittens you weren’t planning on having. Your best bet is to have your female cat spayed.
Ensure that your cat goes to the vet often so that they are healthy. Your cat should always go to the vet for a check up, especially if they need shots. Don’t hesitate to take your cat to the vet immediately if you notice anything unusual about their health or if they are injured.
It can be hard to prevent your cat from jumping on the counter. Cats enjoy heights, as they can monitor events from their perch. One way to deal with this issue could be to devote certain high spaces for your feline friend to sit in. Placing a cat tower by the kitchen can keep cats from getting on counters.
Cats are known for spending inordinate amounts of time grooming themselves. When the cat’s hair is longer, this could lead to hairballs. There are special foods you can give to your cat to reduce this problem. Some food are produced specifically for hairball reduction, which will help.
Online outlets offer better prices for cat medicine than vets. There may be times when you cannot purchase medication online, such as in an emergency; however, monthly medication, such as flea medicine, can be bought online. If you regularly need to buy pet medication, you can get a savings of up to 50 percent online.
Do you own both a dog and a cat? Dogs are known for eating other pet’s food. Feed your pets in different areas of the house, and monitor them while they eat. This will also prevent squabbles between them.
Don’t leave a kitten with small kids. Children under 5 years of age should not be alone with the pet. They are just not mature enough to understand the danger they can pose for the kitten. As your children get older, you can decide when to teach them about handling a pet.
Cats love high spots. To make your cat happier, give him a lookout perch where he can check out the area. You do not need a big cat tree in the living room; simply provide a solid shelf next to a window. For an additional treat, put a little bed or blanket in there, too.
Make sure that you brush your cat’s coat often. This will help stimulate blood flow. It is also a good way to reduce shedding. This helps prevent hairballs, which can lead to choking and other health issues.
Give your cat a water fountain. When cats are in the wild they tend to prefer water that is running when they are thirsty, this applies to cats at home. Streaming water is your best bet. Really, there are many cats that would much prefer to drink from a running sink faucet as opposed to their own bowl. A fountain will allow a cat to drink naturally and is better for the environment.
Feed canned food to your cat. Although dry food is usually less expensive, canned food is better for your cat. There is more water in canned food and more protein and fat too. It’s also much softer on older teeth if your cat is getting up there in years. Discuss this with your vet, who may tell you to feed your cat canned food.
New cats are sometimes not welcomed in the home. They might have conflict, hide from each other or swat one another. Eventually they will grow accustomed to it and start tolerating or even enjoying each other’s company.
One way to get a cat to use the litter box is to move it to a different place in the house. Cat’s sometimes just don’t like the location you’ve picked for the box. Basements, laundry rooms and other quiet spots are best.
Give your cat a collar with your contact information. You may have an indoor pet, but that doesn’t mean it won’t ever get out. Don’t take any chances; make sure your pet has the proper identification so he is returned to you.
There are certain human foods that you should never feed to cats. Some of these foods are green tomatoes, grapes, onions and garlic. Allowing your cat to eat even a few bites may cause serious illness or even death. Milk can too. It can give your cat stomach pains.
Your kitty is a member of your family that you should want to take good care of. After having read this information, you can better care for your cat. Use the above tips to be sure your cat lives a happy, healthy life. You can increase the life span of your beloved pet by properly caring for it.