Cats are pretty awesome. Their intelligence, combined with their independence and affectionate nature make them a great choice of pet. It takes work to be a good cat owner. Read the following tips, and you should be able to learn a lot about how you can deal with owning a cat so that it’s happy.
If you want a cat to feel like it’s more comfortable, a heated tile may be able to help. Just heat a one-foot square terra cotta tile in your oven at about 200 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Wrap the tile in a towel and then put it under the bed. Switch towels every few hours if you need to.
An outdoor cat must always wear a tag on its collar. Cats sometimes travel a bit when outside, and a tag prevents any mishaps due to your cat being lost. At the very least, you should include your contact info and the name of your cat on the tag.
Kitty claws can be quite destructive to fabric and furnishings. If your cat is ripping up and shredding your home, invest in a kitty tower or scratching post. It is much better if your cat uses his claws on that, rather than your furniture. Be patient, it might take some time for your cat to learn to use the post or tower.
A microchip will allow you to find your pet if it is lost. One day, your indoor cat might leave through an open door or get outside through an open window. Collars or tags can identify your cat, but cats can wiggle out of those, and they are also at risk of getting hung up on something. Microchips are extremely small, but they can hold all the same information as an identification tag. Almost every vet and shelter has a scanner these days, and they can retrieve your contact information should they find your pet.
Be attentive to your cat and give them your love and company, often. Cats provide warmth and affection, and they also require the same from you. Cats have a need to communicate with others to show they are part of the family. This will increase the love that surrounds the family.
Are you the owner of both a dog and cat? Dogs will eat cat food right up. Try locating your cat’s food in an area where the dog cannot go. This will prevent the two from fighting over the water when the food dishes are empty.
Make sure your cats always have identification tags on. Even indoor cats should have identification on them. Cats can be very curious and they may escape out of a door or a window. The tag should have your phone number on it. This is very critical if your feline has specific medical issues.
Make sure that you play with your cat as often as possible. Of course, all mammals like to play, regardless of age or species. Older cats might not be quite as energetic as they used to be, but light play can still be fun for them. Therefore, be sure you set some time for playing with your cat.
Litter Box
Your kitty’s litter box should be strategically placed. Although you may want to have the litter box hidden in a place where you won’t smell it, your cat’s needs should be before your wants. The thing to remember is that your cat must have easy access to the box. Cats are finicky, so you must provide an environment that is not inconvenient or off-putting to the animal. The area around the litter box should be comfortable and warm to walk on, so make adjustments as needed.
Do your best to keep your cat as healthy as possible and take it to the vet regularly. Just like children, a kitten needs to have immunizations and wellness checks periodically to avoid disease and other health problems later in life. You have made your cat a family member, and you have to treat your cat accordingly.
Some human foods you enjoy often are not good for your cat. A few unhealthy food items for cats are green tomatoes, grapes, garlic and onions. If your cat eats these, it may cause him to get really sick or even worse. Even though everyone knows that cats love milk, this can actually cause a cat to have an upset stomach.
It can be vastly rewarding to own a cat as long as you realize the commitment involved and are willing to put in the time and energy required. Take the time to absorb the insights you have learned here. Make use of it so that you can enjoy a happy and healthy cat.
