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.
You must always take your cat for regular vet check-ups. Your vet will provide your cat with the shots it needs to prevent disease. Your vet can also check the overall health of your cat. When you find a vet you like, stick with them. That way, the doctor will be familiar with the history of your cat.
If you own a female cat, you should have her spayed when she is old enough. While your cat may be an indoor one, there is always the possibility it can get out and you wind up with kittens one day. The best method of stopping this is to have your cat spayed.
If your cat is misbehaving, you can influence its behavior in a safe and humane way by using water. Fill a small squirt gun or a spray water bottle with plain water. Give your cat a few light squirts of water when you catch it misbehaving and it will soon learn to stop doing the unwanted behavior.
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.
Keep your cat’s coat healthy by giving them a supplement of nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast is an inexpensive supplement that can be found in most health food stores. Simply sprinkle a little bit on your cat’s dry food, or mix it in with their wet food. Not only do they love how it tastes, but it’s full of protein and vitamins that will keep them looking their best!
A microchip for your cat is something that you should really consider. Your pet may be an indoor cat, but that doesn’t mean it’ll never dash through your door or slide outside via an open window. A tagged collar might help get kitty home, but it can just as easily come off if snagged on a branch. Microchips are very small, and you can note your name, address and phone number in there. These days, pretty much all shelters and vet offices have scanners that can read these chips, and because they’re beneath your pet’s skin, they won’t ever get lost.
Is your cat constantly munching on your house plants? If so there is a fix for this. Growing oat grass or catnip yourself can help entice your cats away from your plants. Giving them plants that they can eat and like will help draw them to those plants over and over again.
The litter box for your cat needs to be in a good location. Try to keep it away from areas of household traffic and away from your cat’s eating areas. To prevent a strong stench, be sure this space is well-ventilated. This will make you and your cat happy.
Do you own both a dog and a cat? Dogs are known for eating other pet’s food. You should keep your cat food away from the dog. This can prevent squabbles over water when their food is gone.
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.
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.
The best way to make sure that you have a healthy cat is to keep up to date with vaccinations and trips to the vet. Kids need shots, and so do cats. You need to stay up to date with immunization and booster shots to improve the health of your cat.
There are lots of cats out there that do not have homes. Consider adopting one from your local pet agency before heading to the pet store. They usually provide the cat with all of the necessary shots before you adopt them. The cats are also spayed or neutered to prevent pet overpopulation.
Kittens should never be taken from their mothers before they are eight to ten weeks old. During this time, kittens learn most of their social and instinctive behaviors, and removing them from the mother too soon can cause future behavioral issues the mother cat could have taught them had they not been removed too early.
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.
