Cats are fascinating animals and they make terrific pets. As the owner of a cat, you have the special responsibility to provide adequate attention, care and grooming to this ensure a healthy life. The following article will help you learn the answers to the most important questions new cat owners have.
Cats love to get into tight, small spaces. There are ways to make sure that their collar does not get stuck. A breakaway collar will let go if it is pulled on too tightly. A collar like this could save your cat’s life.
Put a heated tile beneath the bed of an older cat. Use a terra cotta tile to help relieve your cat’s aches and pains; put it in the oven on low heat – 200 degrees or so – for 15 minutes. Place it in an older towel and place it underneath of the feline’s bed. This should be changed a few times a day to maximize comfort.
When your female cat is old enough, you should have her spayed. Even if you own an indoor cat, it might produce many kittens if it escapes during mating season. Unless you want the hassle of getting rid of kittens, spaying is the best option for your cat.
Make sure your cat has a collar if it goes outside. Cats enjoy traveling far away, so a tag can help your cat get back home when lost. At the very least, you should include your contact info and the name of your cat on the tag.
Don’t let your cat go outside. Letting your cat outside greatly increases his risk level. They can get fleas, feline AIDS or even leukemia. Cars, people, or animals could hurt your beloved pet. If your cat must go outside, try to confine them to the backyard.
Litter Box
Never try to teach a cat how to work a litter box. This is the sort of thing which flows naturally. A lot of people think that rubbing a cat’s paws in its litter box may help them, but in reality, it can be damaging to them.
Brush your cat on a regular basis. Brushing improves the circulation of your cat and helps spread natural oils in the fur. Additionally, brushing helps to expedite hair shedding. This keeps hairballs at bay, which may cause choking and build up inside their stomach from self-grooming.
Let your cat get comfortable using a carrier. While punishment is a good strategy to train dogs, it is not adapted to cats. Encouragement is a much better strategy. Take their favorite blanket and place it within the carrier. Then leave the carrier with the door ajar in a frequented spot. Sooner or later, your cat will try out the appealing space and learn to be comfortable in it. It will then be easier to transport the cat in the carrier.
Rotate the variety of food you feed your cat. If they start eating just one type of food without variation, they are sure to grow finicky.
Scratching Post
While a torn up scratching post might look unattractive, do not get rid of it. It may not look as nice, but cats love a scratching post with some wear and tear. Cats may well try scratching something else entirely (like your furniture!) if you replace their beloved toy with something unfamiliar.
Make sure your cat always wears identification tags on their collar. Even a cat you plan on always staying indoors should have identification. Cats are curious creatures and an open door or window is likely to be explored. Include your contact number along with the name of your veterinarian. Include medical issues if appropriate.
If you notice your cat is urinating a lot or at improper places, you should take it to the vet. Many cats develop these behaviors in response to a health problem, such as urinary tract infections. Some cheap antibiotics can resolve potential risks for your cat.
If you notice your cat is not using the litter box, try moving it to a new location. Cats know that they’re vulnerable when using the bathroom and need a place that is quiet and safe. Some good places would be basements, laundry rooms, and any other place that doesn’t have a lot of noise and people going in and out.
When a dog wags its tail, the reason is because it is happy for some reason. When a cat wags its tail, it means something very different. If you see a cat’s tail moving like that, it is an indication that they are agitated or don’t know what to do. If while being held by you your cat’s tail begins to wag, you may want to put him down so that you are not scratched or hit.
Don’t let a cat that’s had its claws removed go outside. Your cat will have no way of defending itself against other animals, which means it could get seriously injured or even killed. Indoor cats are the only ones who should be considered for declawing. Even so, you will only want to get the claws up front removed. A cat’s back claws are not used when scratching furniture, so those can be left.
Do not give human medications to cats. If health problems arise, take your cat to a vet. Giving pets medicine that is intended for humans can harm them, and possibly cause death.
Cats have an extremely sensitive sense of smell which makes it difficult to change anything in their environment without their knowing about it. This is why it is sometimes difficult to get them to use something new, like a bowl or cat toy. Don’t let this discourage you. Your cat will begin using it as soon as he is used to its smell.
As you are no doubt aware, cats can be wonderful pets. To help you cat stay happy and healthy learn the proper procedures for caring for your new pet. Be sure you thoroughly read over the advice found here in order to do this. Your cat will love you for it.