Cats are very pleasant and loving animals if you take good care of them. You have to learn all you can about how to give that cat the best life possible. The following tips will help you out.
Check out the shelter when adopting a cat. Many shelters have more cats than they can handle and the fees associated with adoption take care of vet visits. By adopting a cat from your local shelter, you will preserve a life and will do your part in controlling the cat population.
Never use a product on your cat that is intended for dogs. Cats have very strong, negative reactions to products formulated for dogs. One product in particular to pay close attention to is any remedy for fleas and ticks. Canine flea products can be lethal to a cat. After getting the dog treated, keep the cat away for many hours.
Electrical Cords
Keep your cat from having a shocking experience by spraying electrical cords with bitter apple. You can also cover your cords under a rug or tape them to walls. You can do this by bundling them and tucking them in the cardboard rolls that are used for paper towels. If you have electrical cords laying out that are not being used, put them away as cats can play with them and then move on to live electrical cords.
The claws of a cat can really destroy parts of your house and furniture. If your cat is ripping up and shredding your home, invest in a kitty tower or scratching post. Put cat nip on it to attract them to it. This will take some time but will be a valuable investment.
Keep smaller children away from pets as they are typically too aggressive. It is important to show your child how to approach and handle a cat. The objective is to be as gentle as possible with your cat. Cats have weaker bones than dogs and need more gentle treatment.
Make sure your kids know the rules before kitty comes home. You can then teach your kids which areas your cat can go into. If the cat is to be indoors, tell your children not to allow him outside. Establishing these boundaries ahead of time prevents any confusion.
Cats love to be high up. For a happy cat, make sure you establish a safe environment for them to scan their surroundings. If you can’t afford a cat tree, give the cat an empty shelf of his own. You can even lay down a blanket to give your kitty some comfort.
Litter Box
Pay attention if your cat won’t use their litter box. Using the bathroom outside of the litter box is linked to a number of cat health issues. A variety of infections and kidney disease can cause your cat to stay away from the box when they suddenly associate it with pain due to their medical condition. Call your veterinarian right away if your cat doesn’t use the litter box.
Make sure you provide adequate space to a cat that is about to give birth. It will take about three to four hours for all of the kittens to come out, so be patient. Bring your cat to her vet immediately if six hours have passed without all the kittens coming out.
Dogs will wag their tails often to show their owners that they’re excited to see them. Cats wag their tails, but definitely not for the same reason. Tail wagging in a cat usually indicates a mental conflict that your cat is mulling over, such as deciding whether to flee or attack. When you hold your cat and he begins to wag his tail, put him down!
Some food you eat isn’t good to feed your cat. Never allow your cat to nibble on garlic, onions or green tomatoes. Grapes, which seem harmless enough, are also a no-no. They can really hurt a cat if ingested. Milk can also upset your cats’ stomach.
Proper Care
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 the proper care, your cat will be able to live a long life in great contentment.