The care and companionship you provide for your cat can improve its quality of life. In some cases, it can even save a life! There are literally millions of cats who are stuck in shelters through no fault of their own, and they need a loving forever home. All you have to do is adopt one and care for it, which you can learn how to do through this article.
Though things may appear to be fine, you should always schedule regular medical checkups for your feline pet. Understand that cats require vaccinations in order to stay healthy, and the veterinarian needs to regularly check for any health problems. It is best to always take your cat to the same veterinarian. This way, the vet will be very familiar with your cat and its history.
A tagged collar is essential if you let your cat outside regularly. 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.
Put bitter apple on all electrical cords. Most office stores sell a tube that you can stick all of your wires and cords through if the spray doesn’t work. Bundle electrical cords together inside a tube. Cats are drawn to wires and cords, so you should keep them out of sight and out of mind if they are not being used.
You should never allow your cat to be bored all the time. Play and exercise are both important for cats’ well-being. Sometimes, cat owners don’t realize this. A bored cat runs the risk of developing depression and obsessive compulsive disorders that may harm them or something in your home. Give them toys they can play with, play with them yourself, or at the least give them room to exercise. Provide them with an indoor climbing area or scratching post.
If your cat takes all the ornaments off the Christmas tree, don’t fight it. Begin collecting attractive cat toys and unbreakable ornaments to decorate the tree next year. Be sure not to decorate with potentially dangerous items like tinsel and garlands. Tinsel is a choking hazard for cats and garlands can cause strangulation.
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.
Do you have more than one cat? If so, then you should have more than one litter box as well. Having one for each of your cats will give them multiple spots to go. If the odor gets too much you can add a little baking soda to the litter to freshen it up.
Don’t think that you can teach a cat to use its litter box. This skill is something your cats pick up on their own, not something that can be taught to them. Certain techniques, such as rubbing the paws of your cat in the litter could actual traumatize your cat.
Brush your cat at regular times. The act of brushing helps the coat become glossy, and it helps stimulate the skin. As an added bonus, it cuts down on loose fur. This helps to stop hairballs and their associated medical problems.
There are a lot of cats that are overweight. An obese cat can end up developing health problems such as arthritis or diabetes. If your cat could stand to lose a pound or two, try cutting back their food a little bit at each feeding. You can also buy some toys and encourage your cat to play and exercise.
If you’ve just met a cat, don’t look at them in their eyes. Cats do not like being stared at by people they don’t know. That’s why they are more comfortable if you are not looking at them. They are more likely to approach you that way, and more likely to kindly regard you in the future.
If you have ever given your cat a bath, then you know how much they shiver when it is over. This is because their wet fur provides them with no insulation. You can help your cat out by using your hairdryer to dry the hair fast. Just remember not to hold it too close and burn your cat.
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.
Clean your cat’s litter box. Cats will use litter boxes on instinct if they know where to find it. Let your cat go naturally and don’t manually force it to go by putting it in the box or pushing it to scratch the litter. Keep the box in a private place, scoop its contents on a daily basis and give it a periodic wash.
You should be proud that you are giving love to a cat. You’re offering your home and love to an animal that desperately needs it. You will develop a bond with your cat that lasts for many years. When you love your cat, it will love you back.
