Cat owners find endless joy with their pet. You must put a lot of work into owning a cat. As the owner of a cat, you have many very important obligations to your pet. Thankfully, the following paragraphs will give you the knowledge you need. Become aware of what the commitment entails, then approach it wisely.
Don’t let your cats play with drape cords. Do not allow your cat to play with these. The cords may be looped and a cat may get them wound around their neck. This is incredibly dangerous as it could be fatal for your cat. All drape cords should be fastened and kept away from any harm that might come to the cats.
If your cat is getting older, you can increase it’s comfort by placing its bed over a heated tile. Put a square foot of terra cotta tile into your oven heated to 200 degrees. Keep the tile in the oven for about 15 minutes. Place it in an older towel and place it underneath of the feline’s bed. Change it every couple of hours if desired.
If your cat ventures outdoors, it’s key to get your cat a collar which has a contact tag. Cats can get lost, and they need a tag to be found. The tag should contain your name and number for contact purposes.
Your home furnishings can fall victim to your cat’s sharp claws. You need to get a scratching post or a cat tower to prevent your cat from ruining your furniture. Use catnip or other scents that are attractive to your kitty to encourage him to go there. It may take some time and some corrections, but it can usually eliminate the problem.
Speak with friends and family when you have difficulty with your cat. Although you may want to go it alone, it can be helpful to seek advice from other people that have experience owning cats. You can find online cat forums to ask questions, or you can speak with your vet.
Brush your cat at regular times. This helps spread out the cat’s natural oils in their fur and stimulates blood flow in the skin. Also, it helps manage loose hair. This will help you to avoid hairballs, which may cause your cat to choke. Hairballs are caused when a cat grooms itself.
You need to provide your cat with a drinking fountain. In nature, a cat prefers to drink from running streams. House cats prefer this as well. Streaming water is much easier for your cat to take in. Running sink water is another alternative that you can use. Drinking fountains are more environmentally-friendly and they let your cat drink naturally.
If possible, always choose canned cat food. Yes, dry food is cheaper, but canned food really has a lot more benefits. Canned food generally provides more nutrients, protein and fat as well as liquids. It’s also much softer on older teeth if your cat is getting up there in years. Speak with your vet to determine the proper course of action to take.
Ensure your cat is collared and wears an identification tag. Even a cat you plan on always staying indoors should have identification. Cats love to explore, and if they see an opportunity to go outside, they will take it. The identification tags should contain your home phone number and the number for your veterinarian. Also make sure to note any unusual medical requirements.
If you wish to add another cat to your home, give it a couple weeks for your old cat and your new cat to grow accustomed to each other. They might have conflict, hide from each other or swat one another. Your cats will grow used to the presence of the other animal and will eventually get along.
There is more care to consider with long-haired cats. While long, silky hair is beautiful on a cat, the same fur appears far less beautiful covering your floor, dark clothing, and furniture. Only choose a cat with long hair if you can clean up after it consistently. More, and longer hair, usually means more hairballs too.
Move the litter box if your cat won’t use it. Make sure to put it in a quiet spot in your house. A couple of good places to put your cat box are your basement and laundry room.
Keep cats inside as much as you can, or at least close to you or your home. Cats trained to live inside instead of outside live longer according to certain studies. Outdoor trips should be made in the company of the owner to keep cats safe from the dangers (like infections and attacks) that free-ranging cats face.
The potential benefits of cat ownership are, it’s worth stating again, numerous and wide-reaching. If you desire for your cat to benefit from a long life, proper care must be provided. Ensure you utilize the excellent tips in this article in order to raise a healthy cat.