Properly training your new cat takes a unique skill-set that no other animal can prepare you for. If you hope for your pet to be well-behaved, house trained, and playful with others, then you need to spend as much time with it as possible and practice any of the tips you find in the following paragraph. It’s not like a dog that you can leave outside on the chain for weeks.
Check your cat for ticks and fleas every week. If your cat does have fleas, there is a good chance that you also have fleas in your home. You might need some flea bombs or premise-control sprays, along with treating the cat, to get rid of the issue. If you don’t know what products to use for controlling ticks and fleas, talk to your vet for some safe options.
If your cat is an outdoor cat, then you should ensure it wears a tag collar. Cats can go far from home and without a tag they could become lost forever. The tag should contain your phone number as well as your cat’s name.
Do not feed your cat any kind of human food that contains bones in it. If you are giving your cat chicken or fish, be sure to remove the bones beforehand to prevent a choking hazard. Chop the food that you serve into small bits to make it easier to digest for your cat.
If you want to have your cat for many years, it is a good idea to keep them indoors. While a cat may enjoy going outside, it is statistically proven that outdoor cats live shorter lives than indoor cats. There are dangers to a cat that spends time outside, not least of all other animals.
Set boundaries for your children when it comes to having a cat as a pet. Make sure everyone understands which parts of the house the cat is not allowed in. If you’re raising an indoor cat, inform your kids that the cat can’t go outside. Your children will be able to understand the rules more easily if they know them ahead of time.
A cat’s nails can grow really quickly. They sharpen their nails by scratching on different surfaces like a scratching post. You can help avoid your cat destroying your furniture by clipping their nails often. This will help to discourage your cat from scratching at different things around your house.
You need to buy some quality food for your cat. Beef, fish or chicken, all great protein sources, should head the list of main ingredients. Look for foods that do not have corn or elements that aren’t protein. Cats are carnivores and must have a lot of animal protein for proper nutrition and better health.
If your cat is bitten by another cat, try to get him to the vet within 24 hours. The vet can put him on antibiotics that will protect him from infection setting in, and causing serious health problems. Cat bites can trap bacteria under your cat’s skin, forming an abscess, or other dangerous infection that can cost you hundreds of dollars to treat later.
There is no need to bathe a cat since they are able to do most of their cleaning by themselves. The only way that you should bathe a cat is if there is something on their coat that has not come off for a good length of time, like oil and chemicals.
Buy a fountain for your cat. Cats have a tendency to not drink enough water. This can leave them dehydrated. They often prefer running water to water sitting out in a bowl. If you suspect your kitty isn’t drinking enough, consider investing in a cat fountain to avoid health problems.
Keep an eye on your cat if he or she is panting. Panting is normal behavior for a dog, but that is not always the case for cats. Panting in a cat possibly indicates something serious is going on. Call your vet, especially if you cat has a history of respiratory problems.
Clean your cat’s litter box. Cats will use litter boxes on instinct if they know where to find it. Let your cat go naturally and don’t manually force it to go by putting it in the box or pushing it to scratch the litter. Keep the box in a private place, scoop its contents on a daily basis and give it a periodic wash.
If hairballs are a problem that brushing won’t solve, there are some other things you can try. Mix one teaspoon of pumpkin into your cat’s regular food. A teaspoon of tuna water mixed with pumpkin can also work. Another solution may be to use a cat food that has anti-hairball properties added.
If you are posting an ad trying to find a new home for your cat, do not forget to include a picture of her. Many people bond with pets instantly by looking at pictures, so this will increase the speed of you finding a new place for her to live.
If your cat is diabetic, check his blood sugar at least once a day. Having a record of his blood sugars can provide you with helpful information to pass on to your vet. Your vet can then adjust insulin and other medications accordingly. This can also help you to determine how food is effecting your cat’s health condition.
When caring for your cat, make sure to trim his nails on a regular basis. Many cats end up in shelters every year because owners become angry when they scratch furniture and flooring. If you keep your cats nails trimmed, this will be less of a problem. Invest in a good pair of nail clippers, and use them on a weekly basis.
Your first cat will always be your hardest, but the ones that follow will all be pretty difficult as well. Each cat has its own unique attitude, habits, and back-story. All that you can do is try your hardest to train them properly and implement the tips you have read above.