There’s nothing like having a pet. There are many kinds of pets, but there’s a special one that has warmed the hearts of many pet owners. Cats are great companions for your home. If you want to care for one, read this article for tips related to caring for cats.
Before acquiring a cat, be sure that you have the wherewithal to take care of all necessary vet care. Cats reproduce at an alarming rate, and spaying or neutering is essential to keeping cat population under control. Check spay, neuter and vaccination costs and packages with local vets and clinics and be sure you can afford to give your cat proper medical care.
Small places are spots cats love to get into. They can get caught or stuck if they happen to be wearing a collar. A breakaway collar is a good option since it will break if your cat pulls on it. This can make the difference in whether your cat have nine lives or only a couple of them.
Spay your cat as soon as she is old enough. Even though your cat stays indoors all the time, there might be that one time she slips through the door when she goes into heat, which results in a litter of unexpected kittens. Unless you want the hassle of getting rid of kittens, spaying is the best option for your cat.
Save your furniture with scratching posts and pads. It is natural for cats to want to stretch their claws out and scratch. This does not mean that a cat owner must have damaged furniture. Provide your cat with places that it is okay to scratch and redirect them there if they decide to try out your sofa. Cat scratching posts come in many shapes and materials and some cats prefer a particular type so it may take some trial and error before you find the right combination for your kitty.
Cats can really scratch up your home. A kitty tower can really save your furniture. Redirect your cat to the scratching post when they start to go after your furniture. Catnip can be put in the posts or on the tower to help train the cat to use it. Your cat will eventually understand they should only use the post or tower for scratching.
You should never allow your cat to be bored all the time. Every cat needs exercise time and play! But many cat owners ignore that need. Cats that are bored may develop obsessive compulsive disorders, depression, or other issues that can harm their health. Spend time playing with them, and go through a variety of toys to find ones they like and will play with while you’re busy, too. If they are indoors, give them a scratching post or something to climb on.
If your cat is overweight, there are two things you need to do. First, you have to adjust the amount of food you give them, and the other is that you need to get them exercising. Get them cat toys, or play with them yourself, to make sure they are getting the activity they need to slim down.
Just because your family did it when you were a child, does not mean allowing your cat to go outside is a wise decision. There are many dangers to your cat outside. Cats can attract fleas and other parasites. Additionally, your cat is likely to be injured by cars or other animals. If your cat really wants to go outside, let it out into a small area in your yard.
If you want a cat that is well-behaved and not prone to biting and scratching, make sure that you do not try to adopt one when it is too young. It takes 12-16 weeks for a kitten to learn proper cat behavior from their mom and all of their siblings.
Give high quality canned food to your pet cat. Dry food is cheaper, but some wet foods have more benefits. Your cat will get extra protein and fats from canned food along with some of the water it needs every day. As your cat ages, canned food is more easily chewed. Speak with a vet, but know that wet food is normally much better for your pet.
Sometime a second cat will calm a single destructive cat. This seems counter-intuitive, asking for twice the destruction, but a second cat can give them both something to do. Introduce them slowly and expect some initial squabbles. After a while, though, the cats will usually get along and the destructive behavior will subside.
Is cat hair getting into everything you own? Cats shed frequently; therefore, you need to brush them on a regular basis. Cats that shed a lot need to be brushed more frequently. This keeps the coat from matting, too.
If you suspect that your cat is pregnant, make an appointment with the vet as soon as you can to make sure that is really the case. There are a few serious illnesses that can mimic pregnancy, so you want to make sure that none of these has affected your cat.
It is a misconception that cats should drink milk or cream after they are weaned. Once a kitten is weaned from its mother’s milk, it no longer needs milk of any kind. In fact, milk or cream can cause digestive problems when given to an adult cat. So, to be on the safe side, skip the milk, and offer your pets lots of clean water instead.
You should try to keep your cat indoors most of the time since there are many things out there that can hurt them. Poison, injury and disease are just a few of the things that can happen to him. If he needs fresh air, open a screened window and allow him to sit there.
As stated before, many pets exist, but few are as special as the cat. They are perfect for anyone looking for a new friend to occupy their home. There is some work associated with caring for cats, but it’s no trouble for you. If you use this article, cat care can be a piece of cake.
