So you are finally ready to adopt a cat, but it is your first time and you are still nervous about your choice? Choosing the right cat can be an extremely challenging process. There are certain variables that you should keep in mind to help select a cat that works well in your environment.
Cats like sneaking into small spaces. If they have a collar on, this can be dangerous. A breakaway collar let’s go if pulled on tightly. Purchasing one could be the difference between whether your cat lives or dies when he gets stuck.
Avoid being kept awake by your cat romping through the house at night. When you first get your kitten, establish a habit of putting it to bed in a comfortable crate with a nice bed, litter box, food and water at night. If you start this early, your cat will appreciate having its own safe, cozy room.
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. Ensure that you at least put the name of your cat and your personal phone number on this tag.
To keep your cat healthy and strengthen its bond with you, always set aside lots of play time. Kittens especially need lots of attention, which you can easily give to them through play. Pull a piece of string around for a fun and gentle way to keep a cat entertained for hours!
Keep dangerous chemicals away from your cat. Just like children, cats need to be kept away from items like cleaning materials since they could harm them. These chemicals are basically poison and if your cats consumes some or gets some on them, they could get very sick, get burned, or possibly die. Store these items in a place where your cat can’t find them or use a child-proof lock on their location.
Do not allow your cat to get an electrical shock. Spray them with bitter apple, and they will stay away. If the cat likes to chew on cords, its best to cover them as best you can. Hide those loose cords and keep them out of sight in no longer needed paper towel rolls. Any electrical cords that are really thin (and very tempting) should really be hidden whenever possible.
When you move your cat from one house to another, be sure to move the cat last. Set up a quiet room with familiar items for the cat. Keep your cat in the room and quiet for a day or two. Visit and feed the cat in the room. After a couple of days, the cat can explore the rest of the house.
Have your cat spayed or neutered. Pet overpopulation is a growing problem, with millions of homeless cats and kittens euthanized every year. Besides the problem of too many kittens and not enough homes, unfixed cats can have a multitude of behavior problems. Males who are not neutered at a young age often start spraying to mark their territory, and females who are allowed to come into heat yowl incessantly as they try to escape to find a mate. Kittens can begin to breed as early as 4 months of age, so get your new kitten spayed or neutered as soon as possible.
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.
Consider getting your cat a scratching post. Scratching is something that comes extremely easy to cats; it is part of their nature. Don’t force your cat to play with it. Rather, interest him in it by spraying catnip spray on it, or by dangling a string from the top. Soon he’ll get the idea that it’s there for a reason!
Find a litter that your cat enjoys. Different litters have different smells and textures, so help your cat to find a litter that he is generally comfortable with using. Cats generally like to keep things the same though, so don’t experiment too often or your cat may avoid the litter box.
Get your cat accustomed to a carrier. While punishment is a good strategy to train dogs, it is not adapted to cats. They respond better to encouragement. Put the carrier in a comfortable place and fill it with treats and toys. Over time the cat will not be stressed about the carrier and will enter it voluntarily. It’s a much easier way to get the cat in.
If the cats scratching post is looking tired and worn out, never throw it away. Cats tend to enjoy a scratching toy more after they’ve gotten comfortable with it and made it their own. If you throw it away too soon, that cat may look to your furniture for some clawing while it slowly breaks in a new scratching post.
Long-haired cats require more care than their short-haired comrades. Silky, long hair can be stunning, but that fur won’t look as pretty when it’s on your sofa, clothes, and carpet. Unless you’re committed to taking care of the furry mess, avoid getting cat with long hair. Be prepared to deal with hairballs, which are a problem for long-haired cats.
Your cat should fit in right along side your friends, and this requires some thorough searching with certain attributes in mind. Take the time to follow these tips and pick a kitten that stands out from the rest. Before long, you will have a new addition to the family that everyone loves!