Cats are excellent pets and very interesting animals. They have a loving nature at times, and yet are strangely intelligent and independent. Caring for a cat takes a concentrated effort. You can educate yourself about helpful tips to care for your cat and keep him happy and healthy by reading this article.
Do not allow your cat to get an electrical shock. Spray them with bitter apple, and they will stay away. Keep your cords covered if you feel like your cat is hellbent on chewing them. You can do this by bundling them and tucking them in the cardboard rolls that are used for paper towels. Put your electronics away so your cat is not tempted to chew on the cords.
A cat can do a lot of damage to your furniture with its claws. You need to get a scratching post or a cat tower to prevent your cat from ruining your furniture. Put cat nip on it to attract them to it. Your cat will eventually understand they should only use the post or tower for scratching.
Cats love to play on kitchen counters, and it can be hard to break them of the habit. Cats like to be up high, where they can watch everything going on. Give them an alternative. Sometimes strategically placing a tall cat tower near your kitchen will help.
Think about having a microchip inserted in your cat. Even an indoor cat can get the urge to run out of a door or leap through a window. Cat collars are a great thing to have in case your cat gets lost, but they also pose a risk if they get caught on something. A microchip is tiny, similar in size to a single rice grain and capable of holding plenty of information. Most shelters have a scanner that can pick up the facts located inside the chip.
Cats spend a ton of time grooming themselves. When your cat’s coat is long, it can result in hairballs. If your cat has this issue, try changing his food. The are specially formulated cat foods that help reduce the instances of hairballs, which is not only good for your cat, but also good for you and your feet in the middle of the night.
If you’re thinking about raising an outdoor cat, you should strongly reconsider. Going outdoors isn’t very safe for a domesticated cat. It takes mere minutes for your cats to pick up fleas, be bitten by a tick or something far worse. Cars, people, or animals could hurt your beloved pet. If letting your cat outdoors is important to you, let them out in a safe fenced area.
Do you have dogs and cats? Most dogs will not hesitate before munching on your cat’s food. Try locating your cat’s food in an area where the dog cannot go. This can prevent squabbles over water when their food is gone.
Make sure that you do not instruct your cat on using the litter box. This is a natural instinct for felines, and it need not be taught. While some folks think you should pick up your cat and place their paws against the litter, this can actually be traumatic.
You don’t want to punish a cat if they do their business outside of their litter box. They’re doing it because the box is too dirty, or they may be sick. Punishing your cat will just make them afraid of you later on.
Buy your cat a fountain it can drink from. Cats normally look to drink from running water. This is true in the wild or at home. Cats generally respond better to a stream of water. Many cats prefer running water over their water dish. A fountain will give them the same effect, and it is more environmentally friendly.
Give high quality canned food to your pet cat. Although dry food is usually less expensive, canned food is better for your cat. Canned food will give your cat more water, fat and protein. For aging cats, it is also easier to chew. Be sure to ask your vet about your pet’s food; however, canned food is usually the best for your cat.
If you want to buy a second cat, prepare for some time where the cats will be familiarizing themselves with each other. They may be leery of each other at first and fight. Sooner or later, they’ll tolerate and even begin to love each other.
If a cat urinates often or in odd places, it should probably go see the vet. For instance, it may be a sign the cat has a problem with its urinary tract. It could be the sign of other issues as well. A quick course of antibiotics can head off dangerous complications if you get your cat diagnosed and treated early enough.
As you can now see, a cat can be the best pet you’ve ever had. Pay close attention to the tips from this article. Take what you have learned, and use it to create a home that gives your cat a happy and healthy life.