Cats are great animals and they can be a fantastic member of the family. If you have a cat, you need to learn more about the proper way to care for your beloved pet to make sure it has a long and healthy life. Read on to find out more.
Ensure that you groom your cat regularly and properly. Cats have to be brushed or combed on a regular basis. If yu do this quite often, it will help them stay clean. Having a clean fur coat helps reduce the amount of hairballs that get spit up around the house. Brushing your cat will keep your home cleaner, too.
If you’d like to make an elderly cat’s bed more comfy, stick a heated tile beneath its bed. Put a square foot of terra cotta tile into your oven heated to 200 degrees. Keep the tile in the oven for about 15 minutes. Put it inside a cloth and place underneath your feline’s blanket or bed. Change it regularly if you need to.
Spray bitter apple on electrical cords. If this does not work, make sure you cover the cords. Loose cords can be bundled and tucked inside old paper towel rolls. Personal electronic devices should be stored when not needed to keep their cords out of reach.
Pick the right location for your cat’s litter box. Don’t put it close to your cat’s food or in an area that gets too much traffic. Choose an area that is well-ventilated to avoid bad smells. Both you and your cat will be happier.
Always provide your feline with special attention and affection. They are very loving animals and deserve affection back. Cats thrive when treated like part of the household, so involve them in daily activities around the house. They’ll know they are accepted as members of the family if they get plenty of loving attention.
Little kids shouldn’t be left alone near cats. Teach your kids how to treat a cat. Show them how to gently pick kitty up and what kinds of activities are appropriate. Feline bones are weaker than those of many other pets, so they must be handled with care.
Brush your cat’s fur regularly. Brushing can help to spread the natural oils and stimulate the skin’s blood flow. It will also remove loose hair. This is a good way to avoid hairballs, which are a serious health problem since they can cause choking.
If your cat does not use the litter box, do not use punishments to try to discipline him. Most of the time when this happens, it is because you are not taking proper care of the box. If you get mad, they’ll never use the box again.
Make sure to give your cats different types of food so that they aren’t as finicky. If they eat the same food all the time without changing it, that may be the only one they’ll eat later on.
Is your pet’s scratching post starting to look beat up? Don’t toss it out! When a post is worn, your cats may enjoy it more. Even if you throw it away and buy a new one, your cat may opt for tearing up your upholstery instead.
Get your cat a drinking fountain. Wild cats like to drink flowing water, and domestic cats are the same. Cats seem to like a water stream better. Actually, you will see many cats prefer running tap water from the sink instead of the water bowl. A fountain will give them the same effect, and it is more environmentally friendly.
Make sure your cat gets plenty of opportunities to play. In fact, play is a common activity for all mammals, including people and cats, no matter their age. Older cats do not have the same energy level as younger ones, but they still like to play a little. Make an effort to have playtime with your cat regularly.
Make sure you provide adequate space to a cat that is about to give birth. The kittens will arrive within three or four hours, so try to be patient. If it’s been over 6 hours and you think there are more kittens inside, they need to see a vet immediately.
Has your cat stopped using its litter box? If so, consider moving the box into another location. Just like humans, cats can be sensitive to where they eliminate, so choose a private location if possible. Basements, laundry rooms, and other low traffic locations are a great choice.
Beware of panting. For dogs, panting is typical behavior. Panting could mean the cat is hot or scared, or something much worse. Do not hesitate to contact a vet, particularly if there has been a history of respiratory problems.
If you were unemployed when you got your cat, but are now heading back to work, your pet will probably have issues with loneliness. If you want to keep them from getting bored while you are away from home, you should think about getting another cat.
Make sure your cat does not get more food than it needs to prevent health problems. Overeating can cause your cat to get very sick, in addition to becoming obese. Watch your cat’s portions and make sure that you feed him a well-balanced diet.
Investigate for spaces you don’t want your cat getting into. Cats are able to squeeze into tiny gaps. This especially applies to kittens. Keep this in mind when adopting a new cat. You will need to repair or at least cover up any of the bigger holes you find.
As was stated earlier, cats are a wonderful choice for a pet. To help you cat stay happy and healthy learn the proper procedures for caring for your new pet. Keep this information handy, so that you can refer back to it from time to time. Your pet cat will love you!