Owning a cat is a lot of fun. It is naturally a lot of work as well. You must be aware of the responsibilities of being a cat owner. This article has tips from the pros you can’t care for a cat without. Keep reading to discover some great tips on caring for your feline companions.
To keep your cat healthy and strengthen its bond with you, always set aside lots of play time. Kittens especially need lots of attention, which you can easily give to them through play. Pull a piece of string around for a fun and gentle way to keep a cat entertained for hours!
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.
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.
Give serious thought to spaying or neutering your cat. Your vet can give you the pros and cons of both, but if you plan to keep your cat for a long period of time you should consider this operation. Cat overpopulation is a real problem, and you can do your part.
While children should help with the care and responsibilities of a cat, leave the litterbox duties to the grownups or older children. A cat’s litterbox can carry diseases and parasites. Since younger children may not follow proper handwashing procedures, this job is better left to those older and more responsible.
It is important that you do not feed your cat too much food from the table. Cats do not digest human food the same way that your does. It can also lead to your cat becoming overweight. If your cat is carrying around too much weight, it will be hard for them to jump up on furniture and get around.
To make sure your kitten is properly socialized to humans, begin early in his life, about ten to twelve weeks of age. Be sure that he is handled and petted by humans in his family and by others as well. When he is older, he will be a calmer, friendlier cat.
Don’t send a declawed cat outdoors for long periods of time. Your cat cannot defend itself, rendering it helpless against other animals. Declaw your cat if you plan on always having it inside. If you must declaw a cat, only do it to the front paws. Don’t cut the back claws because they won’t scratch up your furniture or floors.
You should try to keep your cat indoors most of the time since there are many things out there that can hurt them. Poison, injury and disease are just a few of the things that can happen to him. If he needs fresh air, open a screened window and allow him to sit there.
Cats have a keen sense of smell, which makes it simple for them to feel out changes in their environment. When you offer a new feeding bowl, cat condo, or bedding, your cat may resist. You should give your cat time to adjust to new items in his world. Eventually the cat will get used to the smell and things will go back to normal.
When adopting a cat, consider adopting two. Cats are social creatures, and they prefer to be in the company of other feline friends. Having two will help to keep your kitty occupied, and it can make it easier to take care of your new pet. If owning two is not an option, make sure to spend extra time giving your cat love.
Reconsider giving a cat table scraps. The ingredients and preservatives in our food, as well as our cooking methods, are not safe for cats. If you want to make a special treat for your cat, it will like a small amount of eggs, beef or chicken. Giving your cat the recommended amount of cat food provides a complete feline diet.
Make sure to feed your diet pet food specifically made for cats. While a bag of dog food might be cheaper pound for pound, it will not contain the necessary vitamins, minerals and especially protein content to keep your cats healthy. Giving a cat dog food on a regular basis can also cause kidney failure and other serious illnesses.
If you are a responsible pet owner, you need to keep your cat indoors. The outdoors is no place for your pet. There are lots of dangers out in the world. Your cat can be injured by wild animals, hit by a car or get infested with bugs and diseases if you let them roam free.
Think about your cat and how it should be strictly one that remains inside. Outdoor cats have been proven to have shorter lifespans, and they are easily prone to catching many diseases. Some of these diseases can even be passed on to your family. Make sure kitty has a nice, sunny window to enjoy instead.
Cat owners sometimes want to bathe their cat. However, many owners don’t realize that this is often not necessary. Cats clean themselves, after all. There’s no denying that a cat can be quite vain about its grooming.
As you know, the rewards of caring for a cat are numerous and can benefit you in a positive way. However, you must properly care for your cat in order for both of you to be happy. Using the information provided here will be a big step in making your cat a happy addition to your life.
