When your cat isn’t napping, it will need something to entertain them. They will get into everything and tear up furniture when they are alone. You can prevent this by giving them cat toys specifically made for them. Keep reading to find out more about some great cat toys.
Choose a high quality food. The key to a healthy cat starts with nutrition. Take a look at the ingredients label. If you look at most “popular” commercial cat foods, you may be surprised to see the top ingredient listed is corn. Cats are carnivores, so look for a food with a real meat as the top ingredient. You may pay more up front, but these foods are often more nutritionally dense, meaning your cat eats less and the bag lasts longer.
Realize that cats do not normally pant. Dogs pant to keep cool. If a cat pants, it’s a sign of trouble. Your cat could be very anxious or in pain. Likewise, rapid breathing is a sign of pain or anxiety. Be sure to contact your vet right away if your cat starts panting.
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.
Protect your cat from choking. Be sure to dispose of poultry and fish bones safely. Wrap them in a paper or plastic bag and put them in your outdoor garbage can with the lid tightly secured. Alternately, place them in a plastic bag and freeze them until garbage pick up day.
Refrain from giving your cat any food that is spoiled. This can lead to indigestion and food poisoning, which can cost you a trip to the veterinarian. Always buy your food fresh from the store and be sure to check the expiration date before you feed it to your cat.
If you’re having an issue with your cat, try to get some input from other cat owners. Although you might want to take care of things on your own, advice from other people with cats can be a big help. Participate in online discussion boards for cat owners, or pick up the telephone and speak with your vet.
Do not wait too long to scoop any waste that has accumulated in a cat litter box. When left dirty for too long, bacteria can grow and it can cause health issues for you and your kitten. It is best to do this every single day so you avoid any issues.
Make sure that there are enough litter boxes in your home for all of the cats that are staying there. It is optimal to have one litter box for each cat. If you live in a home that has a lot of floors, there should be one on each floor for each cat.
Acclimate your cat to its carrier. Cats don’t react to punishment like dogs do. Cats learn well when they feel encouraged. Place a blanket or favorite toy inside the carrier to make your cat more acclimated to the carrier. Soon that cat will walk into the carrier on its own. Then, you will have no problem using the carrier.
If you have more than one cat, it is a good idea for you to give them each their own food bowls. Place them far apart so that each cat has their space. If you provide just one bowl for the cats to share, it may cause larger cats to bully the smaller ones.
If you are thinking about adding another cat to your home, you need to set aside a couple of weeks where you let the animals get used to being around each other. They may be leery of each other at first and fight. Cats usually learn to enjoy having a companion or at least put up with another one in their home.
If possible, clip your cat’s toenails once weekly. If the nails grow too long, your pet cannot retract the claws. This causes your pet to experience discomfort. Regular trimmings also prevent the claws from snagging carpet fibers, clothing, and other fabrics. If you cannot do this, you should at least provide scratching toys and posts for your cat.
To keep your cat using the litter box, always keep it clean. No matter what kind of scented or special formula litters you may use, nothing is a substitute for removing clumps and used litter several times a day. Keep your litter box in a quiet area of your home.
If your cat seems excessively thirsty, take him to the veterinarian to get him checked out. Excessive thirst is a common symptom of diabetes in cats, and this often missed diagnosis can cause serious complications if left untreated. Always keep a close eye on your furry friend’s water intake, and if you are concerned get him to the doctor to have a look.
If you want to do your best to keep your cat free from ticks, rabies or animal bites, keep him indoors. While it is possible for a home bound cat to catch some of these diseases, the chances are increasingly significantly when a cat spends a good amount of time outdoors.
Be mindful that bringing another animal into your home can upset your cat. In the beginning, make sure the two animals stay away from one another. Let the cat grow accustomed to the new scents. Once a few days have passed, give your cat some supervised time with your new pet.
Cats can be rambunctious, and there’s no better way to address that than with toys. Give them whatever they need. The above advice offers many accessible ways that you can better care for your cat.