The Best Feline Advice You Will Ever Be Given

Lots of people have difficulties along the way after they adopt a cat. If you bring a cat home without first preparing yourself, you will regret it. But because they are curious creatures, some mishaps will still occur even with planning. Luckily these tips can give you an edge and help you face the unknown.

Drape Cords

If you have drape cords in your home, keep them away from your cats. You should not allow your cat to play with drape cords since they could end up with the cord wrapped around their neck. This could hurt or kill them. Pin the cords of your drapes up where your cat can’t get to them.

TIP! Cat’s claws can really put a dent in your furniture. If you find your cat tearing up things around your home, buy a scratching post or cat tower.

Cats enjoy getting into spaces that are small. If your cat wears a collar they might get hurt, and stuck. Breakaway collars will “break” if they’re pulled too tight. Using this collar will prevent your cat from injuring itself.

Be sure you have a vet that your cat sees regularly so it stays healthy. They should have regular check ups annually, and more appointments should be made if they need to get important shots. If there are more pressing health problems, take your cat to the vet right away.

TIP! Think about having a microchip inserted in your cat. Your pet may be an indoor cat, but that doesn’t mean it’ll never dash through your door or slide outside via an open window.

Avoid letting your cat get bored. Cats need to exercise and play. But, too many cat owners fail to realize this. Bored cats can suffer from depression, extreme compulsive disorders, and other harmful issues that can negatively impact their overall health and well-being. Make sure your cats have a wide variety of toys and plenty of room for active play. If your cat is an indoor cat, a cat tower or scratching post makes an ideal source of fun and exercise.

Make sure that you never neglect your cat. Cats provide warmth and affection, and they also require the same from you. Cats thrive when treated like part of the household, so involve them in daily activities around the house. They wish to be a happy and valuable family member.

TIP! When it comes to litter boxes, placement is everything. It should not be placed in a high traffic area, and it should be far away from the cat’s food.

Be sure you think about your cat’s ears when traveling. You might love blasting your favorite music while driving, but they enjoy softer sounds. Therefore, keep your music or other sounds at an acceptable level.

Cat Owners

TIP! Male cats can develop crystals that form in their urine, so prevent this with the right food. Passing stones or crystals hurts and can cost you a ton in vet bills if they don’t come out naturally.

You can tap fellow cat owners for advice if you’re having problems with your pet. You may think it’s something you can take care of on your own, but other people that own cats could help. Use the Internet to share tips with other cat owners and ask your questions or talk with your neighbors, friends or veterinarian.

If your cat does not use the litter box, do not use punishments to try to discipline him. When this occurs, it tends to be because the box is not being maintained properly. Punishing your cat may cause him to become afraid of you or their litter box.

Scratching Post

Is your pet’s scratching post starting to look beat up? Don’t toss it out! The cats loves it the most in this condition. By throwing away an old scratching post and replacing it with a newer one, your cat will likely look for older items to scratch, such as your furniture.

TIP! Though cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Show your kids the proper way to handle cats.

Anytime you get a new pet, you must introduce them to your cat slowly to help to avoid problems and let the cat get used to it. Keep them separated for at least two weeks, but let them sniff at each other under a closed door. They may still hiss and growl when they are in the same room together. Cats usually learn to enjoy having a companion or at least put up with another one in their home.

Play is essential to your cat’s life. Playing is an activity that is very popular with mammals of any age, and this includes cats and people. Although older cats won’t be as active as younger cats, they still need a little exercise. Take time and play with your cat regularly.

Haired Cats

Long haired cats take extra grooming time, so think about that before choosing one. The hair looks good, except when it’s all over your furniture. Only choose a cat with long hair if you can clean up after it consistently. Long-haired cats are also more prone to hairballs.

TIP! When your cat makes a mess somewhere other than their litter box, don’t get mad. Many times, this is caused by failure to properly clean or place the litter box.

If your cat is ready to give birth, give her an area to do it in that has plenty of space. It could take 3-4 hours for every kitten to arrive, so be patient. Once 6 hours have passed, if all the kittens have not been delivered you should seek the help of a vet.

These training tips are great for any type of cat, irrespective of breed or age. These are tried and true ideas that have been proven to help raise a cat properly, however there are always individual instances where things change. Remember to have plenty of fun and give your cat plenty of love and attention.