Cats are amazing to watch and obviously make exceptional pets. They’re great because they’re able to take care of themselves mostly. The following article gives you sound advice that you can use to keep your cat happy and healthy.
Keep your cat occupied by making your own dangly toys. Using soft cotton rope, cut a length of about two feet. Tie a knot at one end. Tie another knot about three inches from the opposite end. Unravel the rope below this knot. Attach the rope to the back of a kitchen chair for your cat to play.
Cats enjoy getting into spaces that are small. If they have a collar, this can be a safety issue if they get stuck. The advantage to a breakaway type collar is that if enough pressure is put on it, it will just let go rather than strangle the cat. This kind of collar can turn a potentially-dangerous situation into a merely exasperating one.
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!
An inexpensive rubber welcome mat helps keep cat food off your floor. This is also a great tool to keep your cat from tracking litter out of the box. Black rubber mats cost about three dollars at dollar stores. Put your cat food dish on one and your litter box on another.
Use petting to check on your cat’s health. Petting isn’t just a way for you and your cat to spend time together, but it’s a great way to find anything abnormal on their body. You can pet them to feel for bumps, lumps, or sores. This is also a great time for you to check their ears.
Do not assume that because a medication is okay for you to take, that it is safe for your cat as well. Many medications made for humans are lethal to cats, such as acetaminophen containing drugs and aspirin. Always check with your veterinarian before you give your cat anything.
If you don’t want your cat to scratch up furniture, try filling a small spray bottle with water and spritzing your cat whenever he tries. Cats generally avoid water altogether for reasons no one is sure about, so he will not like this. Eventually he will stop scratching to avoid getting sprayed.
Prevent crystals from forming in the urine of male cats with the right diet. Passing those crystals hurts and having this corrected by a vet is expensive. Food with a low magnesium content will help. Be sure to read the ingredient label. Cat food with lots of fish tends to have more magnesium, while products with lots of poultry tend to have less.
Should you leave the house with your cat, make sure that she is wearing a collar with tags. This way, if anything happens and you two become separated, anyone can find her and know how to reach you. Your cat may not like the collar all the time, but when she’s out of the house it can save her.
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.
If you give your kids a kitten, provide them with firm boundaries at the same time. Let your children know which areas of the house are off-limits for the cat. If you want to have an indoor cat, explain to your children that they cannot let it go outside. By making the rules well known to your children, your children will understand what is and is not allowed.
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.
If you notice your cat is urinating a lot or at improper places, you should take it to the vet. This could be a sign that your cat has a urinary infection or another health condition. Inexpensive antibiotics generally clear this right up.
Prior to adopting any long-haired cat, make sure you understand the extra work involved. Long-haired cats shed constantly, and the fur ends up on your clothing, floors, and everything else in your home. Long-haired cats can be very high maintenance over the course of the year. They can also have more health issues due to hairballs.
If there is a place where your cat likes to use the bathroom other than the litter box, there is a simple way to deal with this. There are sprays formulated to be very offensive to cats. If you apply this spray in these areas, the cat will stay away from there.
Medical conditions and other dietary factors may make it necessary to switch your cat from moist foods to dry formulas. Cats are finicky enough already, and many resist the change. For the first week or so, mix the dry food with a small amount of warm water to soften it up. Gradually decrease the liquid until your cat will eat the dry food. If you try this approach, do not allow the moistened food to sit for longer than 20 minutes; it could spoil.
Cats can make great pets. You must responsibly care for your cat in all the ways that it needs. Remember the included information and you can be the best cat owner imaginable. This maximizes the happiness in the life of your cat.
