Everyone knows that cats make great pets. However, not everyone understands what it takes to properly care for your cat. While they are famous for being independent, there is still a lot of work to be done on the owners part. The article below will illustrate what every cat owner needs to know.
To help prevent tapeworm infestation in cats, feed a small amount of food grade diatomaceous earth for two weeks out of each month. About a quarter of a teaspoon per cat per day is adequate. Food grade diatomaceous earth kills internal parasites and causes them to be expelled from the system.
Cats like sneaking 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 are made to come off if tugged on vigorously. This can help to save a couple of your cat’s nine lives.
Choose a high quality food. The key to a healthy cat starts with nutrition. Take a look at the ingredients label. If you look at most “popular” commercial cat foods, you may be surprised to see the top ingredient listed is corn. Cats are carnivores, so look for a food with a real meat as the top ingredient. You may pay more up front, but these foods are often more nutritionally dense, meaning your cat eats less and the bag lasts longer.
Don’t try using dog food or products for your cat. It is possible that a dog’s product could cause a serious adverse effect on a cat. Be very careful with the flea products you use. Canine flea medications are strong and often made from a different formula than the feline version. They can cause death in cats. Keep your cat away from your puppy after treating it with some flea products.
Check your cat for ticks and fleas every week. If your cat does have fleas, there is a good chance that you also have fleas in your home. You might need some flea bombs or premise-control sprays, along with treating the cat, to get rid of the issue. If you don’t know what products to use for controlling ticks and fleas, talk to your vet for some safe options.
If you find you cat is harming furniture or other objects, it may be bored. Keep a few safe toys around for your cat to play with. Scratching posts can also deter your cat from scratching your furniture. Or, build a small cat house out of cardboard. Your cat will love having a place to hide, and the cardboard can also be used to scratch on!
Never have your cat declawed. Many people misunderstand declawing, thinking it is the simple removal of a cat’s nail. This is not true. In fact, the veterinarian must remove the top knuckle along with the claw during the procedure. This can result in arthritis pain later in life and many behavior problems, such as biting. There are many alternatives from scratching posts to glue-on claw caps that can protect your belongings from a cat’s claws without resorting to such a harsh surgical solution.
The litter box for your cat needs to be in a good location. The litter box should not be kept in an area with a lot of traffic. In addition, it does not need to be near the cat’s food. To minimize odors, keep it in a spot that’s well ventilated. Your cat is certain to appreciate a litter box that is put into a good location.
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.
If your cat constantly meows, you need to try to figure out why. The more time you spend with your cat, the better you’ll understand what its meows mean. This could mean that your cat needs to go out or is hungry. Look for the cues and you’ll be much more in tune with your pet.
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.
It’s important to let your cat see where you place the litter box, but it’s not always a good idea to force your cat to learn how to use it. This will be something that the cat does on its own and it usually is not learned fro another. It’s not a good idea to rub your cats paws in litter. Some people think this is the way to train. It isn’t.
When you are washing a cat litter box, it is a good idea to use basic soap and water. You may think that it would be more sanitary to use a harsh cleaner like bleach or ammonia, but all that will do is create a smell that the cat will find offensive.
Cats are some of the most lovable and comforting pets a person can own. However, there is a great deal of responsibility that comes with being a cat owner. Be sure and use the advice mentioned in the article above so that your cat can live a long and healthy life.
