Cats are interesting and amazing animals. Their intelligence, combined with their independence and affectionate nature make them a great choice of pet. Therefore, it is difficult sometimes to take care of your cat. Give this article a read for some tips on cat care and how to keep your cat in good spirits.
Be sure to have your pet cat spayed or neutered by the time it is six months old. A spayed or neutered cat is a more satisfactory pet because it is calmer, quieter and more likely to stay home. Neutered male cats do not spray urine to mark their territory. This is definitely a plus when it comes to cat ownership.
Good grooming is important for cats. Remember to brush your cat’s fur and comb it regularly. This will keep them sterile and aesthetically pleasing. It will reduce shedding, which means that they won’t be experiencing a ton of hairballs. Keeping a cat well groomed basically helps keep them looking their best, along with your home.
Let kittens and cat-friendly pet dogs get to know each other slowly. Put up a baby gate to keep dogs in one room while your new kitten gets used to its surroundings. Supervise carefully when the kitten ventures to the gate to meet the dogs. When the kitten feels safe, it will climb the gate. If it feels threatened, it will pop right back out to safety.
Putting a warm tile beneath the bed of an older cat will help it rest comfortably. Allow a terra cotta tile to heat in an oven for 15 minutes at 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Wrap it in an old towel and put it under your cat’s bed or blanket. If you want, you can change it for a newly warmed tile a few hours later.
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.
For a healthier, happier cat choose plain litter over scented litter. Cats like nice, clean, clumping cat litter. Scoop your cats litter box daily and change it completely every three days or so. When you change the box, wash it out with water and dish soap. Don’t waste your money on liners as cats tend to destroy them.
Make sure your cat is properly hydrated. Like humans, cats need to drink lots of water. If they don’t get enough water, they can get dehydrated, develop various health problems, or die. Make sure they always have a bowl of fresh and clean water. The bowl itself also needs to be cleaned and refilled every day. You should also keep this bowl in one location.
Feed your cats proper food. Remember that cats must eat meat. Only give your cats cat food to eat. Do not feed them or let them eat dog food. Dogs and cats have different nutritional needs and some of the ingredients in dog food could harm your cat. Feeding your cat dog food for food could also lead to malnourishment, among other issues.
Cats can spend hours keeping themselves and their fur clean. Your cat’s long hair can cause hair balls. There are special foods that can ease this issue. Certain cat foods are formulated to lower the amount of hairballs.
If you going to be gone for more than a day, you should have someone look in on your cat. Leave out plenty of food, but have someone come to make sure it doesn’t run out. If you do not have a neighbor or family to look in on your cat, you can usually find a cat sitter for a few dollars each day.
Cats are pretty low maintenance pets. They do not need as much attention and one-on-one time as dogs do. Cleaning the litter box is one of the most dreaded chores in the house. Investing in a good self-cleaning litter box can help to reduce the amount of times you have to clean it out.
Unlike most humans, cats love heights. Providing a safe environment for your cat is key to its happiness. You do not need a big cat tree in the living room; simply provide a solid shelf next to a window. Make sure that this area is comfortable for your cat.
Speak to others about your cat problems. Although you may feel like you don’t need help, other owners may be able to give you good advice. Your local veterinarian can be a valuable source of information, but there is also help available online by joining user forums geared toward cat owners.
Cats love to climb trees. This is a natural tendency, that can be hard for some indoor cats to control. If you find that your cat is literally climbing up your curtains, it is time to invest in a cat tower. This will provide your cat a place to climb, in a safer and less destructive way.
You can use certain scents to discourage your cat from going into certain areas of your home. Aloe gel, citrus peels, and citrus juices smell wonderful to us, but cats don’t feel the same way. Soak a cotton ball in one of these liquids, then place it on top of a piece of foil to prevent the liquid from staining your surface. Place the foil and cotton ball near the off-limits area.
As you can now see, a cat can be the best pet you’ve ever had. Be sure to master the advice that you have just read. Apply what you’ve just learned as you set out to properly care for your cat so that both of you lead happy lives.