Cats can make absolutely delightful pets. You must, however, know how to properly care for them. It is not as simple as you may think. This article is packed with helpful cat care information and advice. Read on to learn several cat care tips you can apply to ensure that your sweet kitty enjoys a healthy life.
Move any drape cords out of a cat’s reach. These are not great play toys for cats. They can wrap around a cat’s neck pretty easily. This can definitely hurt them, and it could even kill them. Be sure your drape cords are strongly secured.
Cats enjoy getting into small spaces. If they have a collar on, this might prove to be a safety risk if they happen to get stuck. Breakaway collars will “break” if they’re pulled too tight. Purchasing one could be the difference between whether your cat lives or dies when he gets stuck.
If your cat is an outdoor cat, then you should ensure it wears a tag collar. The collar and tag will make it easier to find the cat if it gets lost. At the very least, you should include your contact info and the name of your cat on the tag.
An indoor cat who gets a taste of the outdoors will forever want to go outside. If you know your cat will always be an indoor cat, do your best to keep them from sneaking out. You can try to train your cat to stay in your yard when you are outside.
Find out how much food you are supposed to be feeding your cat. While cat food containers give general information, find out from your vet how much food your cat should be eating. Many owners do not do this, and end up overfeeding their cats. Take the time to find out the proper amount so you don’t end up with an overweight kitty.
Use short words when you want to express displeasure with your cat. A short ‘no’ will be remembered, even if not always followed. A lot of people think that cats don’t listen to anything, but short word commands are certainly understood by cats, and they will respond to those commands if you are consistent with them.
Is your cat constantly destroying your toilet paper? Make sure that your bath tissue is stopping it from rolling over the top. You can also make or buy a toilet paper cover. These covers are not expensive and will save you money if your furry friend insists on playing with your tissue.
Is your home also the home of both a dog and cat? Dogs often take advantage of dining on the cat’s food. Thus, you must keep cat food out of the dog’s reach. Doing this will also help you avoid fights over the water bowl.
If you want a cat to come your way, it may be a good idea for you to refrain from looking at them. Cats do not like it when people look them directly in the eye, so they tend to go the other way. This is why it seems as if cats always gravitate toward people who are not really fond of animals.
When taking your cat or kitten to the vet, or to other places that involve a car ride, it is wise to socialize him to this situation. Try taking your cat, always in a carrier, on short rides, adding time to the ride every so often. Getting your pet used to the car can mean the end of his fear and frustration, as well as yours.
Make sure that the litter box placement is easy for your cat to get to. Your first instinct will be to put it in a nook or cranny so that you won’t see or smell it. But the most important factor is making sure your cat can easily access its littler box. Cats can be picky, so you should be sure that you put its litter box in a spot that isn’t difficult to access or unpleasant in some other way. If you have the box on a floor that is cold cement for example, put a rug or mat under it.
By getting your cat the shots and check-ups that it needs, you’ll be able to make sure that your cat lives as long as possible. Similar to kids, cats need shots and check-ups to prevent health problems. Your cat will be a part of your home and that means it should be treated as good as you would treat a family member.
While cats can be finicky, you should not encourage this behavior. A cat will eat the exact same cat food their whole life if it is tasty and nutritious. You do not need to mix up the flavors. Doing this can encourage the cat to skip certain foods they previously ate and wait for another.
While there is nothing wrong with using clumping cat litter for older felines, you should stick with sandy litter when dealing with kittens. The clumping litters are usually treated with all types of chemicals that may nto be safe for smaller cats. Once they are older, you should be able to make the switch with no issue.
As mentioned in the opening of this article, provided that you know how to properly care for them, cats make great pets. Study all of the info contained in this article, and apply what you learn to ensure that your favorite kitty enjoys a wonderful life. With a little effort you can be a purr-fect cat owner.
