Cats are a very unique animal to own. Their inclination toward independence is ideal for busy folks. The tips below will ensure your cat is as happy as it can be.
Keep your drape cords out of your cats reach. Never let your cats play with drape cords, as they could seriously injure themselves. This may hurt them or possibly cause death. Hang your drapery cords out of your cats’ sight to avoid this.
Make sure your cat is regularly visiting the vet for checkups. The vet will be able to provide your cat with needed vaccinations and any medications it requires. Veterinarians also keep tabs on your cat’s overall health and diagnose any problems they find. Try to stick with one vet during the life of your pet. You won’t have to worry that the vet won’t have all of your cat’s medical records.
If you have an outdoor cat, be sure he or she has a tagged collar. Cats sometimes travel a bit when outside, and a tag prevents any mishaps due to your cat being lost. The tag should contain at least the cat’s name and your contact information.
Scratching Post
Cats can use their claws to destroy furniture and other parts of the house. If you have problems with a cat that shreds furniture, invest in a durable scratching post. 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. Be patient, it might take some time for your cat to learn to use the post or tower.
Find cat medicine online if you want to get discounts. In some situations, you may not have the choice to purchase meds over the Internet, such as a health emergency. But, if your cat is on a regular medication, you can save quite a bit by buying it online.
While cats are good pets for children generally, smaller children may treat them too roughly. Teach your kids how to treat a cat. Demonstrate the proper way to pick up a cat and what they can do with the cat. Cats need to be protected, too. Their bones are much more susceptible than dogs.
If you get a small kitten for your children, make sure they understand the rules ahead of time. Let your children know which rooms their cat can be in. If your cat is going to be one that stays inside, let the kids know that it’s not allowed outside. Clearly explaining the rules will limit future mishaps.
Do you have both a cat and dog? Dogs often take advantage of dining on the cat’s food. This is why you should have a feeding area for your cat that is too high for the dog to reach. The added benefit is that you will prevent fights over the other animals food and water when one of them runs out.
Get your feline acclimated to its carrier. Cats do not respond in the same way dogs do to punishment. Encouragement is more likely to get them to respond. Take their favorite blanket and place it within the carrier. Then leave the carrier with the door ajar in a frequented spot. The cat will eventually get into it and feel comfy. Transporting your cat inside the carrier will then become much easier.
Increase the variety of food that you give your cat. If your cat only eats one brand of cat food from the beginning, he will probably not like any other brand.
Keep you cat’s old scratching post even if it is beginning to look worn. This is the condition that cats most appreciate. By throwing away an old scratching post and replacing it with a newer one, your cat will likely look for older items to scratch, such as your furniture.
You should install a small drinking fountain for your cat. A cat will always drink from running water if possible. Streaming water is much easier for your cat to take in. You could even consider turning on your sink a few times a day to let your cat drink from the faucet. A fountain will give them the same effect, and it is more environmentally friendly.
Keeping vaccinations up-to-date is the way to make sure your cat lives longer and more healthy. Stick to regular check-ups. Kids need shots, and so do cats. Your cat will be a valued member of your family, which means treating it just as you would other loved ones.
Certain foods may be fine for you to eat daily, but not for your cat. These can include chocolate, grapes, onions and tomatoes. Ingesting these foods can end up making your cat really sick or worse. Even though everyone knows that cats love milk, this can actually cause a cat to have an upset stomach.
Before you let your cat be an outdoor cat, consider the dangers of fleas, fungus and rabies. Indoor cats almost never get these ailments.
Tag Collar
Ensure you place a tag collar on your cat. Cats can escape. By having a tag collar on your cat, it will be easier for others to find your cat and return it to you in case it gets lost.
Some people who own cats may believe their cats need bathing in order to stay clean. However, bathing your cat isn’t usually necessary. Cats actually groom themselves quite often, using their tongues which are barbed to remove debris and dirt from their fur. Cat are persnickety when it comes to appearance.
Cat are great pets due to their intelligence and independent attitude. However, you must know how to properly care for them. Remember the included information and you can be the best cat owner imaginable. This maximizes the happiness in the life of your cat.