Cats are very pleasant and loving animals if you take good care of them. When you are a cat owner, you should educate yourself about the best tips for taking good care of your feline friend, and ensuring it has a great life. Read these tips to be the best cat owner you can be.
Drape Cords
Keep your drape cords out of your cats reach. Never let your cats play with drape cords, as they could seriously injure themselves. This could hurt or kill them. Hide the cords for safety sake.
You should take your cat to the vet on a regular basis to maintain optimum health. They should go in for a routine check-up at least once a year, possibly more if they need important shots. Cats must see their vet right away if they start having health issues, injuries or other problems.
Scratching Post
Your cat can devastate your furniture with its claws. If you want to prevent or stop your cat from scratching up your furniture, the best thing to do is buy a scratching post or kitty tower for them to climb in. Redirect your cat to the scratching post when they start to go after your furniture. Catnip can be put in the posts or on the tower to help train the cat to use it. Although this may take time, your cat should eventually claw the device rather than your furniture.
Think about getting a microchip for your feline friend. Even cats who live completely indoors may someday decide to bolt out the door or escape out of a window. Although collars and tags are beneficial, some cats may even wiggle out of them. A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and can hold all of your contact information. Many vets and shelters have scanners that can read these chips and since they lie under their skin, they won’t get lost.
The cat’s litter box should be placed in the right spot. The box should be out of the high traffic areas and a good distance from where your cat eats. You’ll want to place the box in a spot with good ventilation to avoid unpleasant smells. Your cat and you will prefer this in the end.
Many times, cat meds can be purchased on the internet for less than they’d cost if you got them from your vet. Online prescriptions are not the best choice if you do not have the time to wait on a mail order, such as in a medical emergency. But, if you’re having to buy pet medication regularly, you will be able to save up to half the price if you buy online.
Your cat has sensitive ears, especially in the car when they’re stressed out. Although you may love singing loudly to your favorite songs while driving, your cat would probably prefer softer sounds. So, keep your volume down, or turn it off to give your cat a better travel experience.
Cats like to be up high. To keep your cat happy, offer him a spot of his own up high where he can survey his kingdom. Placing a shelf or two up high will not take up too much space in your home. For an additional treat, put a little bed or blanket in there, too.
Brush your cat often. This helps to stimulate blood flow and circulation, and it will also help to evenly distribute the natural oil your cat’s fur has. It also gets rid of shedding hair. This prevents hairballs, which can cause choking, and builds up in the cat’s stomach from self grooming.
Is your pet’s scratching post starting to look beat up? Don’t toss it out! The cats loves it the most in this condition. If you throw it away and replace it too quickly with a new one, they may shun the new one and go after your carpet and furniture.
If you are considering a long-haired cat breed then you should also consider the extra maintenance required. The hair looks good, except when it’s all over your furniture. You must be willing to spend more time cleaning your home. You should keep in mind that long haired cats are more prone to hairballs.
Taking your cat to the vet regularly to get proper vaccinations and check-ups will ensure that your pet enjoys a long and healthy life with you. Similar to kids, cats need shots and check-ups to prevent health problems. You have made your cat a family member, and you have to treat your cat accordingly.
When dogs are excited their tails wag from side to side. Cats move their tails for a very different reason. Cats wag tails if they sense conflict, or if they’re trying to decide whether to fight or flee. Likewise, if you are holding your cat, and he suddenly starts to wag his tail, you may need to let him down to avoid swats or scratches to yourself!
Cats make wonderful pets as long as they are properly cared for. If you’d like to do more for your pet, read this article with care and take advantage of the suggestions it provides. With the proper care, your cat will be able to live a long life in great contentment.
