Cats are both incredible and incredibly finicky. Some need special diets, and that is only the beginning. The information below will help you raise a happy and healthy feline friend.
Regular veterinary checkups are important for the health of your cat. They should get their vaccinations and have a full check up. If you can, stick with one vet for your cat’s entire life. This also allows the vet to become more familiar with your cat’s unique health needs and personality.
Be sure your cat gets regular checkups at the vet. They need a routine check-up every year, maybe more of important shots are necessary. Don’t hesitate to take your cat to the vet immediately if you notice anything unusual about their health or if they are injured.
Spray bitter apple on electrical cords. Cats who love to chew need to be kept away from cords. If you have any loose cords around your home, try stuffing them into a used paper towel roll. Cats are drawn to wires and cords, so you should keep them out of sight and out of mind if they are not being used.
Make sure your cat is not too bored. Cats need play and exercise like other pets. Unfortunately, many owners do not realize this important part of ownership. Bored cats are more prone to depression, obsessive compulsive disorders, as well as many other behavioral issues. Give them toys they can play with, play with them yourself, or at the least give them room to exercise. Give them a cat tree to play with.
Most cats prefer to be mostly nocturnal. This means nighttime is an active time for your cat. If you find that your nocturnal kitties are waking you up in the middle of the night, the solution may be as simple as closing the door to your bedroom. This will ensure they don’t pounce on you at nighttime, or wake you up in other ways.
Is there a dog in your home, as well as a cat? A dog will probably end up eating the cat’s food if it gets the chance. You should keep your cat food away from the dog. This will prevent the two from fighting over the water when the food dishes are empty.
Litter Box
Never try to teach a cat to use a litter box. Using the litter box will come naturally to your cat. Don’t force your cat into the box or you will traumatize them.
Brush your cat often. This will reduce the amount of bacteria on the fur. It’ll also remove all that loose hair. This helps keep those hairballs from building up in your cat’s stomach.
Do not discipline your cat if it makes a mess outside its litter box. Your cat probably did not use the litter box because it is not well taken care of. Punishing your cat will just make them afraid of you later on.
Keep a breakaway collar and tag on your cat. This is essential, even for indoor pets. Cats are curious creatures, and you never know when they might wander off to explore. You should use a tag with your contact information and the address of your veterinarian. Also make sure to note any unusual medical requirements.
Expect it to take several weeks for your current cat to accept a new cat in the home. In the early days, you may see a lot of posturing from the cats including hissing and swatting at each other. Eventually they will grow accustomed to it and start tolerating or even enjoying each other’s company.
Understand that all cats need exercise and play time. In fact, play is a common activity for all mammals, including people and cats, no matter their age. Even older cats like to play. Play with your cat and give them the fun time it needs.
Always keep your declawed cat indoors. Your cat cannot defend itself, rendering it helpless against other animals. Indoor cats are the only ones that should be de-clawed. If you do decide to declaw your indoor cat, do not remove the back claws. Don’t remove the back claws. This will help ensure that your cat remains safe in case it gets outside, and back claws will not scratch any furniture.
Cats have a very sensitive nose and can easily detect any changes to their environment. This may cause some problems when introducing new beds, scratching posts, or food dishes. Don’t be discouraged if your cat decides to ignore these items at first. Eventually the cat will get used to the smell and things will go back to normal.
If you have a cat with frequent hair ball problems, and brushing has provided no relief, the following tips might be useful. Mix in a few pinches of pumpkin into your cat’s food. Try also mixing in some water from tuna with the pumpkin. There are foods that inhibit hairballs which have fiber in them. They might take care of the issue.
Make sure your cat does not get more food than it needs to prevent health problems. Overfeeding your cat may cause it to become obese and develop serious medical issues. Don’t overfeed your cat and ensure that his diet is healthy.
Be wary of any small spaces around your house that you want to keep your cat out of. Cats can get through minuscule gaps. Kittens are especially vulnerable. Before you bring a new cat or kitten home, be sure to check for spaces the cat could get trapped in. Seal up all holes no matter how small they might seem.
It may seem easy to take care of your cat, but perhaps you don’t know everything you need to know just yet. Use these tips to become a better cat owner and to really enjoy it. The effort expended will be well worth it, and will be rewarded in many ways.