A few purrs, a smart animal and a delightful companion. You get these things when you bring home a cat. However, being a cat owner comes with a lot of responsibilities. This article gives you the tips necessary to live a great life with your cat. Read on!
Animal Shelter
Check your local animal shelter if you have plans to get a cat. Shelters have a lot of cats in them and you can get one adopted for a small fee. Besides, adopting a cat from an animal shelter means you are saving this cat’s life.
If you own a female cat, make sure the cat is spade when she’s old enough. Even if you own an indoor cat, it might produce many kittens if it escapes during mating season. You can prevent this by spaying or neutering your cat.
You should take your cat to the vet on a regular basis to maintain optimum health. They should have a routine check-up once a year or more if important shots are due. If a condition, illness, or injury happens, your cat should be taken to the vet immediately.
Don’t give a cat a dog’s product. Cats will have a reaction that’s negative towards a product made for dogs. One product in particular to pay close attention to is any remedy for fleas and ticks. Canine flea medications are strong and often made from a different formula than the feline version. They can cause death in cats. In truth, your cat needs to be kept a distance from any dog just flea-treated for the first few hours.
If your cat is outdoors, it needs to have a tagged collar. Cats can roam far, so a tag will ensure you find them quickly when they’re lost. Have your phone number engraved on the tag.
Location is key when placing a litter box. The box should be out of the high traffic areas and a good distance from where your cat eats. Make sure it’s properly ventilated to keep smell down. Both you and your pet will appreciate that.
Though a veterinarian will almost always have a supply of medications that your cat needs, it can be more cost-effective to purchase them from online venues. 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. However, for standard medications, like flea medications or heart worm pills, online sources offer a substantial savings to pet owners.
Cats are great family pets, but small children might be too rough. Make sure your child knows how to pet a cat. Demonstrate the appropriate way to pick the cat up and how to play with them. A cat’s bones are not as strong as a dogs, and they should be treated more gently.
Don’t leave a kitten with small kids. If children are younger than five years old, pets ought not be left with them. They’re not really mature enough to know how dangerous a kitten can be. Wait until your child gets older, and pay close attention to whether or not they’re mature enough to hold or handle a tiny pet.
Splurge on your cat’s food. Look at ingredient lists, making sure that a protein source, such as beef, chicken or fish, is at the top of the list. Avoid foods like corn or other items without protein. Cats are carnivores and their diet should reflect that.
Litter Box
Consider the placement of your cat’s litter box. It is tempting to place it out of sight, in order to avoid the image of it or smells that go along with dirty litter. But the most important factor is making sure your cat can easily access its littler box. It has to be a quiet area with little traffic. If the litter box is kept on a cement floor, then place a rug or mat underneath it.
Now that you have read this article, you should have a few ideas you can start using in your home. This will help you to become a better cat owner. Your cat will be happier and more enjoyable when he or she is properly cared for. Use the tips that you learned here and soon you’ll see how much happier your cat really is.