Cats can be a handful. You have many issues to consider when you have one, ranging from different diets to having their nails clipped at the vet’s office. The article below offers tips you can use to offer your cat whatever it needs.
Protecting your cat from household chemicals is something that you may already know, but did you know that protecting them from medications is just as important? Common over the counter medicines such as ibuprofen can be toxic to your cat, even in small doses. Keep your medication safely out of the reach of your cat.
If you absolutely must bathe a cat, set everything up in advance. Set up two tubs large enough to dunk a cat. Fill them with comfortably warm water. Set your open bottle of cat shampoo, a heavy towel, and a secure pet carrier close by. Wear heavy rubber gloves. Grasp your cat by the scruff of the neck. Dunk, shampoo and scrub quickly in one tub. Dunk to rinse in the second tub. Wrap the cat securely in the towel and place in the carrier to dry.
You can also consider outfitting your cat with a chip so you can monitor its whereabouts. You never know when your cat could get away from you. Although they provide the information needed to find your beloved pet, they can also accidentally get caught or even be wiggled out of. Your important information can all fit nicely on a rice grain sized microchip. Almost every vet and shelter has a scanner these days, and they can retrieve your contact information should they find your pet.
Refrain from giving your cat any food that is spoiled. This can lead to indigestion and food poisoning, which can cost you a trip to the veterinarian. Always buy your food fresh from the store and be sure to check the expiration date before you feed it to your cat.
Wash your cat’s bed at least once a week to remove all of the bacteria from it. Even if the bed looks like it is clean, it will usually have toxins in it that can cause your pet to become sick. Replace the bed every six months to keep your cat in a sanitary environment.
Cats are pretty low maintenance pets. They do not need as much attention and one-on-one time as dogs do. Cleaning the litter box is one of the most dreaded chores in the house. Investing in a good self-cleaning litter box can help to reduce the amount of times you have to clean it out.
Try to figure out why your cat meows. If you stay around a cat for a period of time you will figure out what their verbal cues mean. This could mean that your cat needs to go out or is hungry. By taking note of your cat’s cues, you’ll understand it more.
Cats are great pets, but their litter boxes can be unsightly and have an odor. If you can’t stand the sight of your litter box, then it is time to go shopping. There are many different styles of litter boxes on the market. Some are even disguised as fake potted plants. Not only does it look better, it controls the smell as well.
Find a litter that your cat enjoys. Different litters have different smells and textures, so help your cat to find a litter that he is generally comfortable with using. Cats generally like to keep things the same though, so don’t experiment too often or your cat may avoid the litter box.
Get a drinking fountain for your cat. Cats out in the wild like to drink from running water, so they would like that at home too. Your cat, if its like most, will really respond to this running water. Really, there are many cats that would much prefer to drink from a running sink faucet as opposed to their own bowl. Also, drinking fountains are more environmentally friendly and gives them the ability to drink naturally.
Ensure that your new cat is spayed or neutered. This is important even if your cat will not be outdoors or around cats of the opposite gender. Studies show that spayed cats are less vulnerable to uterine, mammary, and ovarian cancer. Neutering your male cat decreases his risk of developing prostate cancer. Another benefit of neutering is that your cat will not feel compelled to mark his territory by spraying.
If your cat will not use the litter box, try placing it at a different spot in your home. Whenever a cat is using the restroom, it feels vulnerable; therefore, the litter box needs to be kept in a safe and quiet location. Basements, laundry rooms, and other low traffic locations are a great choice.
Try to be consistent with the type of cat litter and food you buy your cat. If you change up, it may cause some issues. Cats are creatures of habit, and they do not adapt well to change. If you must make some changes, it would be a good idea to do them gradually.
Medical conditions and other dietary factors may make it necessary to switch your cat from moist foods to dry formulas. Cats are finicky enough already, and many resist the change. For the first week or so, mix the dry food with a small amount of warm water to soften it up. Gradually decrease the liquid until your cat will eat the dry food. If you try this approach, do not allow the moistened food to sit for longer than 20 minutes; it could spoil.
Caring for a cat may seem easy, and if you are lucky it is, but many needs lots of attention from regular check-ups at the vet. Use the tips from this article to help you be the very best cat owner and fully enjoy the experience. Doing some research will make things go better in the end.
