Similar to humans, cats should have a good diet full of nutrients. Without a proper diet, you cat may end up malnourished or overweight. Read on for more tips on caring for your cat.
Check with your shelter before you purchase a cat. Shelters usually have many cats who need a home, and the fees typically include their shots and spaying or neutering. When adopting a shelter cat, you’re saving a life and aiding in controlling the cat population.
Enticing kitty to stay off the kitchen counter is sometimes challenging. After all, cats prefer to stay high so that they can keep an eye out on everything. To help prevent your cat from doing this, you can establish tall places specifically for your cat. Putting a cat tower in or near the kitchen can help keep the cats from laying on the counter.
Get a microchip for your cat. Even an indoor cat may find a way out of your home. Tags and collars are great, but they don’t always stay on your cat. They can also be a risk, should they get snagged on something. A microchip, on the other hand, is inserted near your cat’s shoulder blades, takes only a second to do, and all of your current contact info can be read through the chip. Most vets and animal shelters will have a microchip scanner and because it’s under the animal’s skin it can never become lost.
Give your cat plenty of love and affection. They usually offer us warm companionship, and they require the same. Like many people, cats need to socialize with people so that they feel like they are an important part of their family’s lives. They also like feeling important and a big member of the family.
If you’re taking kitty on a road trip, don’t play loud music. You may love belting out your favorite tunes as you drive on the freeway, but your cat probably enjoys softer sounds. Reduce the volume of the music and keep the windows up; let your cat rest!
Cat Owners
You may find it is helpful to talk to others about challenges you have with your cat. It can really help to get advice from fellow cat owners. The Internet will allow you to contact many forums and online communities for cat owners. Don’t forget, your vet’s office can also provide sound advice.
Take the time to make your cat familiar and comfortable with a carrier. Cats are not as responsive to punishment as dogs are. They like responding to encouragement better. Give your cat a treat every time it does something well. Over time, the cat will feel comfortable and go inside the carrier. Let it happen naturally or with only mild coaxing. Do not get angry. It will be simpler to transport them using the carrier.
Provide your cat with a drinking fountain. Cats that live in the wild like drinking from running water, and they have the same desires in a home. Your cat, if its like most, will really respond to this running water. In fact, the running water in a sink garnishes more attention from a cat than their water bowl usually does. A drinking fountain provides a more natural and environmentally friendly way for your cat to drink.
If your pet is expecting kittens, be sure she has a spacious area to give birth in. Since there are so many kittens, the birthing process can take a few hours. Bring your cat to her vet immediately if six hours have passed without all the kittens coming out.
If kitty won’t use the litter box, try moving it. Just like humans, cats can be sensitive to where they eliminate, so choose a private location if possible. Try rooms that are less used, such as a basement or utility room.
Cat Wags
Dogs will show a lot of enthusiasm through their tail when their owner comes back home. Cats wag their tail for a different reason. Tail wagging for a cat is more subtle and can indicate many different emotions. Sometimes a cat wags its tail when threatened or frightened. Along the same line, if your cat wags its tail while you are holding it, you should put it down to avoid getting scratched.
Never use chemicals that have phenol in it near your cat. Lysol, Pine-Sol and many other products contain this chemical. Cats hate the smell of phenol and continuously exposing them to it could cause liver problems later in their lives.
Your cat should stay inside most of the time, and when it’s outside, you should ensure it remains close to home. Cats that stay indoors tend to live a lot longer because they’re not exposed to the elements outside of the home. If you want to give your indoor cat some outdoor time, exercise with them. That way, your cat gets some fresh air, sunshine and outdoor scenery without the risks of free-roamers.
The diet a cat eats is integral to good health. Just as it is in humans, a cat with a poor diet will have a shorter lifespan and be prone to illness. Do what is best for the cat and provide good food.