A cat owner is a special person. Not everyone can live with an animal that can be as finicky and contrary as a cat can be. But if you own a cat, you know that there are plenty of rewards, too. Here are some cat tips that will make life with your cat smoother.
Check your local animal shelter if you have plans to get a cat. Shelters have tons of great cats and their adoption fee will generally cover necessary vet care. When you bring home a shelter cat, you will be saving its life and you will be doing your part to help out.
Cat’s claws can really put a dent in your furniture. If you have a cat that is wreaking havoc, buy a scratching post. They can scratch the post instead. Your cat will eventually understand they should only use the post or tower for scratching.
Check your cats ears frequently for ear mites. You may notice your cat shaking their head or scratching their ears a lot if they have them. They are tiny parasites that look like coffee grounds in your cat’s ears. If you have more than one cat, they can also travel from cat to cat. See a vet before using any medication on them since their ears need properly cleaned first.
When you move your cat from one house to another, be sure to move the cat last. Set up a quiet room with familiar items for the cat. Keep your cat in the room and quiet for a day or two. Visit and feed the cat in the room. After a couple of days, the cat can explore the rest of the house.
Take your cat to the vet periodically. A lot of cat owners tend to avoid the vet because it can be harder to get a cat ready to go anywhere she does not want to go! It is also easy to avoid the vet because cats seem so self-reliant. However, it’s smart to get your cat to the vet to avoid any problems.
A cat generally spends quite a bit of time grooming itself. Long-haired cats often develop hairballs. To fix this problem, you can try buying a new food. The are specially formulated cat foods that help reduce the instances of hairballs, which is not only good for your cat, but also good for you and your feet in the middle of the night.
Crystals in the urine, an issue many male cats have, can be avoided with the proper food. Passing those crystals hurts and having this corrected by a vet is expensive. Choose a cat food low in magnesium. Read the label. Products including fish have a higher magnesium content then poultry based products.
If you want a cat that is well-behaved and not prone to biting and scratching, make sure that you do not try to adopt one when it is too young. It takes 12-16 weeks for a kitten to learn proper cat behavior from their mom and all of their siblings.
There are a lot of cats that are overweight. An obese cat can end up developing health problems such as arthritis or diabetes. If your cat could stand to lose a pound or two, try cutting back their food a little bit at each feeding. You can also buy some toys and encourage your cat to play and exercise.
The chances are good that your cat will come running for their favorite treat. There are many different recipes out there specifically for homemade cat treats. This is a fun way to spoil your cat. There is also the benefit of knowing what exactly your cat is consuming, to ensure that it is healthy for them.
If kitty stops using its litter box, pay attention. A common sign that a cat has a medical condition is failure to use the bathroom in the litter box. This is especially true if the cat has kidney or bladder problems. Call your veterinarian right away if your cat doesn’t use the litter box.
Dogs wag tails out of joy. While cats are also prone to tail wagging, they do it for very different reasons. Cats wag tails if they sense conflict, or if they’re trying to decide whether to fight or flee. If a cat you are holding starts flicking his tail, then it is time to put him down.
Use aversives to deter your feline friend from going places where it is not allowed. An aversive is anything that creates an undesirable environment for your cat. Examples include shelf paper (sticky side facing upward) and tinfoil. Most cats prefer to avoid these textures at all costs. You can also use carpet tape that has adhesive on both sides.
Encourage your child to play with cats by using toys, not by using their fingers and hands. Choose toys that put distance between the child’s hands and the cat’s teeth and claws. During a vigorous play session, an excited kitten is more likely to accidentally scratch its playmate’s skin. For example, you might use a long wand-type toy with a dangling feather or bell.
When you’re smitten with your kitten, it’s tempting to dole out treats generously. However, treats are meant to be just that. They lack the nutritional value of regular cat food. Treats should not make up more than 5 percent of your pet’s daily diet. Any more than that may prevent your cat from receiving the nutrients it needs for good health.
If possible, have your cat eat dry food. When cats are kittens they need wet food because their teeth are so small. As they grow older, dry foods ensure that their teeth are strong. You can also mix wet and dry food together if your cat is really picky.
Having a cat is not easy for everyone. But when you have a cat, you realize how special they are. The tips here can help you to take care of your cat and to make things run smoothly. Give each of them a try, and see how successful they are for both you and your cat.
