Do you have a cat? If you are, then you consider your cat precious. Cats need a lot of care and love. Fortunately, it is quite possible to provide well for its needs. Continue reading to learn more about how to care for your cat.
Watch the amount of treats that you give your cat. Like humans, cats can easily overeat junk food. This can cause them to gain weight and may lead to some health problems like heart issues and diabetes. If you do give your cat treats, give them a small amount and make it a special thing instead of a regular routine.
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.
Do not use medicine meant for a dog on a cat. This is especially important for topical medicines. Cats do their own cleaning, and if a dog medicine is used on a cat, your pet can ingest it. There are some medicines that work for both cats and dogs, but only use them if the vet says it is okay.
Is your cat constantly destroying your toilet paper? Make sure that your bath tissue is stopping it from rolling over the top. You can also make or buy a toilet paper cover. These covers are not expensive and will save you money if your furry friend insists on playing with your tissue.
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.
Avoid leaving a kitten alone with small children. Children under 5 years of age should not be alone with the pet. Small children don’t have the mental capacity to understand that certain activities are dangerous to the kitten. As your children get older, you can decide when to teach them about handling a pet.
Don’t think that you can teach a cat to use its litter box. This comes naturally – you can’t teach it. A lot of people think that they can take their cat and try to rub their cat’s paws on the litter, but this may just traumatize the cat.
Regularly brush your cat’s hair. This will reduce the amount of bacteria on the fur. In addition, it helps to reduce loose hair. Brushing eliminates the formation of hairballs which may choke your cat and lead to buildup of excess hair in the abdomen when the cat grooms himself.
It is important that you do not feed your cat too much food from the table. Cats do not digest human food the same way that your does. It can also lead to your cat becoming overweight. If your cat is carrying around too much weight, it will be hard for them to jump up on furniture and get around.
Understand that your cat is easily influenced by its surroundings. Cats have superior memories and will usually retain training for a lifetime. Conversely, they also retain frightening experiences and it takes them a long time to get over their fears. Be encouraging with your cat and avoid situations that scare them.
Purchase high quality food for your cat. Look at the ingredients and make sure protein like fish, chicken, or beef is near the top. Try to avoid foods that consist of corn, or other non-protein elements. The main part of a cat’s diet should be meat protein, so his cat food should be mostly real meat.
Is your home covered in your cat’s fur? Cats do a lot of shedding, and it helps to brush them. You should brush your cat quite a bit of they are prone to shedding. Brushing is a good way to keep your cat’s coat from getting matted and tangled.
Use aversives to deter your feline friend from going places where it is not allowed. An aversive is anything that creates an undesirable environment for your cat. Examples include shelf paper (sticky side facing upward) and tinfoil. Most cats prefer to avoid these textures at all costs. You can also use carpet tape that has adhesive on both sides.
Never use chemicals that have phenol in it near your cat. Many household cleaners, like Pine-Sol and Lysol, contain this chemical. The smell offends them and being exposed to it for several hours can cause liver problems.
Watch out for holes near your home that you don’t want your cat to hide in. Cats can fit through very small gaps. Kittens especially can fit into small spaces. Make sure you know where all the holes in your house to help protect the kitten before it comes home. When you find a hole that may be dangerous, make the necessary repairs right away.
Do not allow your pet to go without a tag and collar. Cats can escape. If their collar has a tag, you have a better shot of them coming back if they escape.
Your cat may be mad when you first bring home another pet. When first introducing the newer pet, keep the animals separated. Your cat will begin to familiarize himself with the new scent in the home. Then gradually introduce the new pet to the cat. Take it slow so your cat does not get upset.
Your cat is a member of your family and his well-being is important to you. After reading this article, you should know more about caring for a cat. Use these ideas to make sure your cat remains happy and healthy. If you love your cat, you will receive much love back.
