It is very enjoyable owning a cat. It is naturally a lot of work as well. There are quite a few responsibilities that any cat owner must know. Thankfully, the following article will tell you all you need to know. Keep reading to learn more about quality pet care.
Make sure your cat is always well groomed. You can regularly brush or comb your cat. Do this often in order to aid in keeping your cat’s outer coat clean and healthy. Removing excess hair also reduces shedding and can prevent hairballs. Regularly grooming keeps cats looking well and keeps your home neater.
Have your kids help you take care of the cat. Assign daily jobs such as feeding the cat and cleaning the litter box. Not only will taking care of the cat teach them responsibility, it also gives you a break from these tasks. This means that you can spend more time cuddling with your cat.
Adore your cat! Your cat will enjoy your company if you pet and play with her. Without love, cats may not socialize with your family. They should feel like a valued family member as well.
It is important to only feed your kitten food specifically made for kittens. Kitten food contains more fat and protein to help keep your growing cats body healthy. Adult cat food is leaner and is not specially formulated the same way as the kitten food. Your kitten will grow really fast in a short time-frame, so it is important that they eat right.
If you want to have your cat for many years, it is a good idea to keep them indoors. While a cat may enjoy going outside, it is statistically proven that outdoor cats live shorter lives than indoor cats. There are dangers to a cat that spends time outside, not least of all other animals.
Make sure that you do not instruct your cat on using the litter box. This is a natural instinct that cannot be taught. Certain techniques, such as rubbing the paws of your cat in the litter could actual traumatize your cat.
When you are washing a cat litter box, it is a good idea to use basic soap and water. You may think that it would be more sanitary to use a harsh cleaner like bleach or ammonia, but all that will do is create a smell that the cat will find offensive.
If you have a kitten, a very important part of raising him is to get him socialized. This means making sure he is comfortable in many situations. These include: handling by humans, grooming and nail care, vet visits, and other social situations. The time to do this is between ten and twelve weeks of age.
Most cats love to lounge right on your lap. As cozy as this can be, it is not always convenient. If your cat has a favorite spot, such as on your lap at the computer it can be hard to get things done. Getting a pet bed for your cat and perching it right next to your chair can help satisfy your cats need to be near you.
If you’ve just met a cat, don’t look at them in their eyes. Cats do not like being stared at by people they don’t know. That’s why they are more comfortable if you are not looking at them. They are more likely to approach you that way, and more likely to kindly regard you in the future.
If you have more than one cat, it is a good idea for you to give them each their own food bowls. Place them far apart so that each cat has their space. If you provide just one bowl for the cats to share, it may cause larger cats to bully the smaller ones.
Understand the difference between cat play and real aggression. Both activities can look the same to an untrained eye, but there are differences. When two cats are playing, they will bat each other around with claws retracted. They will “bite” with their jaws loose. Real aggression will involve hisses, squeals and hard biting.
There is no need to bathe a cat since they are able to do most of their cleaning by themselves. The only way that you should bathe a cat is if there is something on their coat that has not come off for a good length of time, like oil and chemicals.
Just like humans, being overweight can harm a cat’s health, so do not feed him too much. Besides putting your cat at risk for obesity, providing it with too much food can open the door to many other health problems. Be careful to feed your cat the proper portion amount, and also make sure that his food is packed with vital vitamins and nutrients.
When choosing what type of cat to bring home, consider your lifestyle. Do you travel often? How long are you at home? If you will not spend a good deal of time in the company of your new pet, adopt a more mature cat. Kittens require considerable care and are easily frightened when alone. A mature cat requires care as well, but should fare well when you aren’t at home.
As you know, the rewards of caring for a cat are numerous and can benefit you in a positive way. A cat is a serious responsibility as well, though, and you should do your best to take care of its needs. If you see cat ownership in your future, put these tips to good use!
