Cats are some of the cutest creatures on earth. They’re very playful with most people they meet and have a friendly disposition. If you’ve wanted to own a cat, but weren’t sure what you have to do to take care of one, then this article is just what you need. Give it a look.
Check with your shelter before you purchase a cat. Many shelters are overcrowded with lovable and adoptable cats. When you bring home a shelter cat, you will be saving its life and you will be doing your part to help out.
Properly groom your cat. Remember to brush your cat’s fur and comb it regularly. If you do this frequently you’ll be able to help the cat have clean fur. It can cut down on shedding and spitting up hairballs, too. Grooming a cat properly will improve the appearance of your home and cat.
If a cat is outdoors frequently, they need a collar that has a tag. Cats can travel far, and a tag will help you find the cat easier if they get lost. At least put your phone number and pets name on the tag.
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.
Get a scratching post to keep your cat from tearing up your carpet. If you can, get a post that does not have the same type of carpet that is on the floor of your home, so your cat doesn’t associate the two. Instead, get a post that is covered in cardboard, sisal, or thick rope.
Cats can really be so much more than pets, they can be lifelong companions. It has been proven that cats can decrease your blood pressure, lessen the symptoms of depression and help you to live a longer happier life. If you feel like something is missing in your life, you might just need a cat.
When you purchase a kitten for your child, set rules and boundaries beforehand. Make sure everyone understands which parts of the house the cat is not allowed in. If you want to have an indoor cat, explain to your children that they cannot let it go outside. You need to establish some clear rules for your pet and ask everyone to follow them.
If your cat has to have a surgery such as being spayed or neutered, they will need rest when they come home. It is hard to keep a cat from jumping up on furniture, but necessary to avoid pulling out stitches. Designate an area in your house for your cat to recuperate where they will be less likely to injure themselves, until they are healed enough to roam free.
Sometimes you need to give your cat a pill. Some cats are harder than others, but you should trim their nails first. Then hold the head, open the mouth, and put the pill in. Then blow on the cats face. This will likely make the cat lick its nose, and the pill will go down naturally.
Feed your cat quality cat food. Check out the list of ingredients of any food you are considering buying. Ensure that an animal protein source, including fish, chicken, or beef, is the main ingredient. Stay way from cat foods made of corn or any other ingredients that aren’t based in protein. Cats are carnivores and need animal protein to stay healthy.
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.
Do not leave wet cat food in the bowl for longer than twenty minutes after your cat is done eating it. After you see your kitten is done for the time being, throw out the rest of the food and make sure to wash their bowl thoroughly with light soap and water.
If you notice that your cat urinates very frequently, you should take it to the vet. This sort of behavior is common among cats with UTIs and other health problems. Inexpensive antibiotics generally clear this right up.
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.
While there is nothing wrong with using clumping cat litter for older felines, you should stick with sandy litter when dealing with kittens. The clumping litters are usually treated with all types of chemicals that may nto be safe for smaller cats. Once they are older, you should be able to make the switch with no issue.
It might seem like a little much for an animal, but you should comb your cat’s hair as often as possible. Combing the hair helps prevent the cat from licking loose fur and building a furball to spit up later. Different cats shed at different rates and some require a lot more maintenance than others.
As stated before, cats are extremely cute. Their playful and friendly ways will have anyone warming up to them in no time. Now that you know what to do after reading this article, you can have a cat of your own. Remember the information and have a fun time with the feline.