If you know what to do to care for your cat, then the cat makes a great pet. If you own a cat and want to give it a great life, you need to do your research. This article is like a Rosetta Stone of cat care information.
A tagged collar is essential if you let your cat outside regularly. Cats can range far from your home and the tag will help them find their way home. The tag needs your phone number and cat’s name at the minimum.
Your home furnishings can fall victim to your cat’s sharp claws. Buy a scratching post if you need to protect the furniture in your home. Entice them to scratch those items rather than your belongings. This will take some time but will be a valuable investment.
Contact Information
It’s very important to get your cat microchipped. Even cats who live completely indoors may someday decide to bolt out the door or escape out of a window. Collars and tags can help get your cat home, however cats are experts at wiggling out of these, not to mention the risk they pose if they were to get snagged on a bush or tree branch. Microchips are very small, approximately as large as a single grain of rice. Although they are small, they can hold your entire contact information. Almost every vet and shelter has a scanner these days, and they can retrieve your contact information should they find your pet.
Your cat most likely spends quite a bit of time grooming. Your cat’s long hair can cause hair balls. Special food can help. Some foods are in fact formulated specifically to reduce hairballs, and that is a good idea for your cat and you too.
Cat medications can be bought affordable online. There may be some cases in which you cannot buy online, such as in an emergency. But for routine medication purchases, you may find a discount of 50 percent online.
When you buy a small kitty for your children, set the boundaries ahead of time. Let your children know which rooms their cat can be in. If your cat is going to be one that stays inside, let the kids know that it’s not allowed outside. If your children know the rules beforehand, mishaps are less likely.
You should not train your cat to use a litter box. Cats instinctively understand what to do and teaching is not required. Certain techniques, such as rubbing the paws of your cat in the litter could actual traumatize your cat.
Litter Box
Do not punish your cat if they make a mess in the area outside of the litter box. Your cat probably did not use the litter box because it is not well taken care of. It isn’t fair to punish a cat for wanting a clean area to do its business, and you don’t want to make the cat wary of you.
Get your feline acclimated to its carrier. Introducing your cat to a carrier as a kitten can really help to make this easier. They are much better with encouragement. Put a nice blanket inside the carrier then leave it where the cat is most often. Eventually, the cat will go into the carrier naturally and feel comfortable. Then, you will have no problem using the carrier.
If you notice that your cat urinates very frequently, you should take it to the vet. Cats can show this behavior if they have a type of urinary tract infection or other health issue. A quick course of antibiotics can head off dangerous complications if you get your cat diagnosed and treated early enough.
Make sure that you play with your cat as often as possible. As a matter of fact, exercise is crucial for all animals. Older cats might not be quite as energetic as they used to be, but light play can still be fun for them. Take the time to play and have a little fun with your kitty.
When your cat is nearly ready to have her kittens, prepare a spacious, but protected area for your cat to give birth. Since there are so many kittens, the birthing process can take a few hours. If the birth takes an excessively long time or you believe a kitten is stuck inside, an immediate visit to the veterinary hospital is essential.
Cats make great pets, but you must care for them properly. Cat owners should read this article and use all of its great tips. With proper care, your cat will live a healthy and vibrant life.