Your kitty is a big part of your family. Since this is the case, you owe it to your feline friend to be a responsible owner and protect it from dangers like infections and parasites. Keeping your cat healthy is important. Read on for some of the best methods for keeping pests off your cats.
If your cat suddenly goes off its feed for no apparent reason, try tempting treats such as jack mackerel, tuna, or cream of chicken soup in small amounts. These are not complete foods and shouldn’t be fed long term, but they are extremely tasty to cats. A finicky cat may start eating again and keep on when given one of these treats.
Cats love to play so make sure that you provide them with lots of toys. Cats enjoy batting around a fake mouse or little ball around the room. Some cats even develop a favorite toy. Playing with your cat is not only fun, it helps them to get exercise too.
To keep your cat healthy and strengthen its bond with you, always set aside lots of play time. Kittens especially need lots of attention, which you can easily give to them through play. Pull a piece of string around for a fun and gentle way to keep a cat entertained for hours!
Never have your cat declawed. Many people misunderstand declawing, thinking it is the simple removal of a cat’s nail. This is not true. In fact, the veterinarian must remove the top knuckle along with the claw during the procedure. This can result in arthritis pain later in life and many behavior problems, such as biting. There are many alternatives from scratching posts to glue-on claw caps that can protect your belongings from a cat’s claws without resorting to such a harsh surgical solution.
A great toy for your cat is a laser pointer. Cats love to chase the laser around and try to catch it. This will help you give your cat some exercise, while your cat is having fun at the same time. It will also help to fine-tune their hunting skills.
Microchip your cat. Even an indoor cat may find a way out of your home. A tagged collar might help get kitty home, but it can just as easily come off if snagged on a branch. Microchips are tiny and contain all your contact information. Scanners to read pet microchips are available in every town and they will not come out from under the skin.
When your cat is riding with you in your car, ensure you keep their ears in mind. You cat is used to being at home and it might shock him to hear you singing at the top of your lungs. To keep you cat from feeling nervous, keep the volume at a lower level. A trip is already stressful for a pet.
Do not use medicine meant for a dog on a cat. This is especially important for topical medicines. Cats do their own cleaning, and if a dog medicine is used on a cat, your pet can ingest it. There are some medicines that work for both cats and dogs, but only use them if the vet says it is okay.
Should you leave the house with your cat, make sure that she is wearing a collar with tags. This way, if anything happens and you two become separated, anyone can find her and know how to reach you. Your cat may not like the collar all the time, but when she’s out of the house it can save her.
If you going to be gone for more than a day, you should have someone look in on your cat. Leave out plenty of food, but have someone come to make sure it doesn’t run out. If you do not have a neighbor or family to look in on your cat, you can usually find a cat sitter for a few dollars each day.
Give serious thought to spaying or neutering your cat. Your vet can give you the pros and cons of both, but if you plan to keep your cat for a long period of time you should consider this operation. Cat overpopulation is a real problem, and you can do your part.
Do not punish your cat if they make a mess in the area outside of the litter box. If this happens, it may be because you have not kept the box as clean as you should. If you punish the cat, it may shy away from you at future times.
Be sure to carrier train your cat. You have to take a different approach to training a cat rather than a dog. Instead, cats are more likely to respond to words of encouragement. Therefore, place your cat’s favorite toy into its career. Leave the carrier open in a location that your cat frequently visits. Cats are natural explorers and sooner or later he will check it out. A cat who is used to a carrier will not mind traveling, meaning it will be a much less stressful experience for them.
Canned food is usually the best option for your cat. Dry foods are cheaper but canned foods are richer in vitamins and nutrients. Canned food generally provides more nutrients, protein and fat as well as liquids. For aging cats, it is also easier to chew. You should listen to what your vet recommends, though.
The possibility of fleas are something that every cat owner needs to be aware of and prepared to fight. They will not go away on their own and need to be treated as soon as they are noticed. The techniques mentioned above can help you eradicate and prevent them. This will make life happier for your cat and you, too.
