Cats are often viewed as feminine animals, but the truth is that there are plenty of cats perfect for becoming mans next best friend. Different breeds and bloodlines make an impact on how your new cat looks, behaves, and is cared for. Use this article to find some of the breeds that you find most entertaining.
Keep a clean litter box. Like you, a cat will generally not use a bathroom that is filthy. Find a quiet area out of the way that the box can stay in, and don’t move it unless absolutely necessary. Scoop solids out a couple time of day. Make sure to dump the whole box, wash it with a gentle detergent, and refill it once a week.
Cats are hunters by nature. They love to chase mice and other small animals and insects. Buying little fuzzy mice filled with catnip and batting them around with your cat is a great idea. Your cat will feel as though they are really hunting prey. This will also help you to connect with your cat better.
Your cat probably spends a lot of time grooming himself to perfection. If your kitty is a long-haired breed, the result of this might be hairballs. There are foods which help combat this problem. Some cat food brands have formulations to prevent or reduce hairballs, which will make life easier for your cat and you.
If your cat seems to want to avoid his food bowl, try getting a different kind of bowl. Plastic can sometimes turn a cat off if it isn’t cleaned constantly, and can hold on to certain scents. Try glass or a metal bowl for best results, so your cat will keep eating.
Play with your cat. A lot of cat owners don’t do this. They are happy to let their cat entertain themselves. However, playing with your cat can help to mentally stimulate him and give him the physical activity he needs. Use small balls, paper bags and any number of small toys to get your cat moving.
Feed a kitten proper food. A developing kitten survives exclusively on their mother’s milk for the first four weeks, a commercial formula if the mother isn’t around. When moving to regular food, feed them specially formulated kitten food until they reach maturity at the age of one. Kittens need plenty of protein while they are developing.
When your cat has kittens, it can be tempting to get rid of them as soon as possible, but you should wait a reasonable amount of time. A kitten needs to learn a few things from mom before going off into the world alone, so give him six weeks to learn all he can.
Turn out the lights and use a black-light to identify the source of that mystery cat urine smell. Cat pee contains phosphorus, which glows brightly under this type of light bulb. This is especially useful because otherwise you might not be able to see the exact area to be treated. Use a piece of chalk to lightly trace the outline of the stain so you can see it when you turn the regular lights back on.
Your kittens don’t want dirty mouths either, so take a toothbrush and clean those gums everyday before breakfast. Without proper brushing, cats can catch diseases, infections, and suffer serious side effects. A few minutes daily keeps these teeth healthy, strong, and sparkling. You should ask a veterinarian how to properly brush your cat’s teeth.
Some food you eat isn’t good to feed your cat. Examples include garlic, grapes, green tomatoes and onions. These foods can make your cat very ill. Milk upsets a cat’s stomach, too.
You cat should wear a collar with tags. Your cat’s curiosity may someday get the best of him, and he may stray too far from home. If your cat has a tag on its’ collar, then you will have a better chance of it coming home to you if it gets out.
Make sure that you take your cat for regular vaccinations and check-ups. Getting medical care for your cat is essential for its’ health. Your cat needs to stay up to date on all shots in order for it to be healthy and happy. Regular check-ups will make sure you can spot any health issues before they get out of control.
If your cat is diabetic, check his blood sugar at least once a day. Having a record of his blood sugars can provide you with helpful information to pass on to your vet. Your vet can then adjust insulin and other medications accordingly. This can also help you to determine how food is effecting your cat’s health condition.
Feed your cat nutritionally balanced foods and always make sure they have fresh water. The best way to have a happy and healthy cat is to give them the nutrition they need to be healthy. Talk to your vet about the best kinds of foods available and the proper amount to feed them.
Some cats have aversions to certain types of litter. If you find that your cat is not using their litter box, try switching the type of cat litter that you are using. Only do this if there is a problem. Cats do not like change. The cat may stop using the litter box if you change the type of litter you use.
Most cats do not need any training, but they do need to follow the rules of the house. Some cats will scratch the furniture or eat the house plants. With repeated and gentle training, you can teach your cat not to do these things. Cats are very smart and they can learn the rules of the house.
These cats are only a small part of the feline family and your options are nearly limitless. A budget and a location is all that is inhibiting you from bringing home the biggest and meanest tiger in the jungle. Animal adoption shelters are a great place to find these breeds and many more.