Cats are great pets when you know what it takes to care for them properly. To be a responsible cat owner, you need to educate yourself on the best ways to care for your cat and find the best advice to make sure your little feline friend enjoys many great years with you. This article is like a Rosetta Stone of cat care information.
Spay your cat as soon as she is old enough. You may keep your cat inside, but she could still slip outside and become pregnant. Having your cat spayed is the only way to 100 percent prevent accidental litters.
Nice furniture and cat claws don’t get along very well. You need to get a scratching post or a cat tower to prevent your cat from ruining your furniture. Encourage them to scratch that instead. It doesn’t happen overnight but with some patience, you should be able to save your house from the claws.
It may prove quite a challenge to make your cat stay off counter tops. Cats have a natural predilection for staking out a nice elevated place where they have a good view of their surroundings. You can try to combat this problem by designating some high-up places for your cat to hang out. An excellent tool for preventing your cat from jumping on the counter is a cat tower that is in the kitchen.
Make sure your cat is not too bored. Play is important to the health and vitality of your cat. Too frequently this need is overlooked by owners. A bored cat may fall victim to depression, compulsive disorders or issued that can be harmful to their health. Give them room to play and a large number of toys. If you have an indoor cat, offer him a variety of toys, scratching post or objects he can climb on.
Crystals form in urine from male cats. This can be prevented with good food choices. Just like kidney stones, these crystals are painful and vet bills are pricey. Choose a cat food with low magnesium content. Read the label. Products that have fish in them have more magnesium usually when compared to products with poultry.
You will often find ways to save money on medication for your cat on the Internet instead of getting it from your vet. You can’t always get it online. But, for routine medications, this can be a budget-saver.
Think twice before letting your cat outside. Cats come to harm outside every day. You cat might pick up pests or fleas. They might get injured by some other animals, vehicles, or people. If letting your cat outdoors is important to you, let them out in a safe fenced area.
You should brush your cat very regularly. This will help stimulate blood flow. You will also decrease the amount of fur throughout your home. This helps keep those hairballs from building up in your cat’s stomach.
Never punish a cat for a mess outside of its box. They’re doing it because the box is too dirty, or they may be sick. If your pet is punished, you won’t do anything but make it afraid of you.
Let your cat get comfortable using a carrier. Punishment affects cats differently from dogs. They prefer encouragement instead. Place a blanket or favorite toy inside the carrier to make your cat more acclimated to the carrier. Soon, your cat will naturally enter the carrier. Once the cat is in the carrier, they will be so much easier to transport.
Litter Box
Pay attention if you cat does not use the litter box. There are a number of health conditions that can make your kitty urinate and go to the bathroom in places other than the litter box. A urinary infection or a kidney problem could be responsible for your cat’s behavior. If your cat stops using the litter box suddenly, get him to a vet for a visit.
Make sure you provide adequate space to a cat that is about to give birth. The birth process can last up to four hours, which means you must exercise patience. If it has been more than six hours and you believe more kittens are still inside your cat, you need to get her to the vet right away.
If you have a cat who won’t use the litter box, try moving it someplace else. A cat has instincts that tell it when it goes to the bathroom it is vulnerable. This is why a box should be placed in an area that is quiet and safe. Good examples are laundry rooms, basements and other areas away from the hustle and bustle of the home.
Cats can be awesome pets, though they do require proper care. As a good pet owner, read through this whole article several times and use the information for your own cat. With proper care, your cat will live a healthy and vibrant life.