Similar to people, cats need a balanced, healthy diet which is loaded with nutrients. With poor nutrition, your pet can become bloated and malnourished. This article will give you advice on how to properly feed and care for your cat.
Drapery Cords
Keep your drapery cords out of the reach of your cat. These are not great play toys for cats. They can wrap around a cat’s neck pretty easily. This could lead to a severe injury or even death. Make sure drapery cords are kept back to avoid this.
To safely help an old cat feel comfortable, place a heated tile under its bed. You can heat a terracotta tile in the oven at 200 degrees for about 15-20 minutes. Wrap the tile in a towel and then put it under the bed. If you want, you can change it for a newly warmed tile a few hours later.
Have your cat chipped so you can find him if he runs away. One day, your indoor cat might leave through an open door or get outside through an open window. Tags and collars are great, but if a cat escapes them, there’s no guaranteeing they’ll make it home safe and sound. Your important information can all fit nicely on a rice grain sized microchip. All shelters and vets have scanners to ensure your cat gets home safely.
Get a drinking fountain for your cat. Cats like running water for drink more than water that is just sitting there. Cats react better to a moving water stream. In fact, many cats like drinking from faucets more than from their water bowls. A fountain will give them the same effect, and it is more environmentally friendly.
Make canned food the mainstay of your cat’s diet. While dry food is less costly, the canned food has added benefits. Canned food provides more water content for your cat as well as more fat and protein. As your cat ages, canned food is more easily chewed. Speak with your vet, however generally speaking, canned cat food is better for your cat.
Expect it to take several weeks for your current cat to accept a new cat in the home. Two cats may fight, hiss, or hide from each other until they become more comfortable. Eventually they are going to get used to each other, and they may even end up becoming best friends.
If you notice your cat is urinating a lot or at improper places, you should take it to the vet. Many cats develop these behaviors in response to a health problem, such as urinary tract infections. Some cheap antibiotics can resolve potential risks for your cat.
Litter Box
If you’re dealing with a cat that won’t use the litter box, you should place it somewhere else. A cat’s instinct tells him that eliminating puts him in a vulnerable state, so try putting his litter box in a safe, quiet area of the house. Some good places would be basements, laundry rooms, and any other place that doesn’t have a lot of noise and people going in and out.
Dogs will show a lot of enthusiasm through their tail when their owner comes back home. Cats also wag their tails, but for totally different reasons. When a cat wags its tail, it can mean that it is conflicted or that it is trying to decide if it should run away from a situation or attack. If kitty starts wagging his tail while you’re holding him, it’s best to put him down so you don’t get scratched.
Every cat should have a collar with his name on it, the owner’s name, and a phone number. Even if your cat is an indoor cat, there is that small chance he or she might get out one day. If this happens, ensure there’s a way they can find home again.
Avoid any products containing phenol around your cats. Pine-Sol and Lysol contain this ingredient. The smell of the chemical isn’t pleasant for your cat and prolonged exposure may cause liver problems.
Indoor Cat
An indoor cat is a healthy, happy cat. Studies have proven that cats who live most of their life indoors live longer than outdoor cats. 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.
Don’t send a declawed cat outdoors for long periods of time. It can’t defend itself with no claws. An indoor cat can be declawed. Even so, you will only want to get the claws up front removed. Allow your cat to retain their back claws which are less damaging to indoor surfaces.
Diet is a very significant factor in the health of your cat. Keep a close watch on what your cat is consuming, as it is extremely important to monitor their diet with the right foods, otherwise you run the risk of harming your cat. Choose the cat food you use for your pet very carefully.