If you want a great pet, a cat fits that bill. Those that haven’t owned cats before should read the article below. Below are some excellent suggestions that will help any cat owner coexist with their furry pal.
Drape Cords
Keep your drape cords out of your cats reach. Cats should not be allowed to play with these cords, as they can get parts of their body stuck in the cord loops. This could lead to a severe injury or even death. Therefore, ensure that drape cords are pinned away from your cat’s reach.
When looking for a new cat for your home, contact a local animal shelter. There are so many great cats at shelters. The fee you will have to pay typically includes vet care. When you adopt a cat from a shelter, you save a life and help keep the cat population under control.
If your cat is female, it is very important that she be spayed when the vet feels she is old enough. Even though your cat stays indoors all the time, there might be that one time she slips through the door when she goes into heat, which results in a litter of unexpected kittens. Spaying your cat is the best way to prevent this from happening.
Get a microchip for your cat. Even indoor cats get out sometimes. Other measures like tags and collars are better than nothing, but your cat may wriggle out of them or they may be torn off by outdoor hazards. Microchips are very small, and you can note your name, address and phone number in there. Most vets and animal shelters will have a microchip scanner and because it’s under the animal’s skin it can never become lost.
Avoid letting your cat get bored. They need exercise and they get it through play. Sometimes, cat owners don’t realize this. A lack of stimulation can lead to psychological or medical problems for your cat, including depression, compulsive disorders, and chronic misbehavior. Make sure your cats have a wide variety of toys and plenty of room for active play. You need to provide your cats with something they can climb and scratch.
Litter Box
When it comes to litter boxes, placement is everything. You shouldn’t keep it near your pet’s food, and you shouldn’t keep it in an area people walk through a lot. It is also advisable to keep the litter box area ventilated to control odor. Your cat is certain to appreciate a litter box that is put into a good location.
Cat medications can be bought affordable online. There may be times when you cannot purchase medication online, such as in an emergency; however, monthly medication, such as flea medicine, can be bought online. For ongoing medical issues, you can buy ahead and save a substantial amount of money online.
Think over whether or not you should let your cat go outdoors. This can compromise your cat’s safety. You cat can get fleas and contract diseases. They might get injured by some other animals, vehicles, or people. If letting your cat outdoors is important to you, let them out in a safe fenced area.
Brush your cat daily. This can help spread their fur’s natural oils around and stimulate blood flow to their skin. It can help decrease the amount of loose hair as well. This helps to stop hairballs and their associated medical problems.
Take time to train your cat to go into a car carrier. Introducing your cat to a carrier as a kitten can really help to make this easier. Most of the time, it is better to use positive reinforcement. Place a beloved blanket or item inside the carrier and let it stay open near the cat’s usual haunts. The cat will feel safe when it enters this carrier after a while. A cat who is used to a carrier will not mind traveling, meaning it will be a much less stressful experience for them.
Don’t toss your cat’s scratching post just because it’s starting to look haggard. To your cat the post is just right. Removing the post could cause your cat to look for something else scratch, possibly damaging your furniture.
You cat should get cat food that is of a good quality. Read the ingredient label, and make sure a protein from meat tops the list. Avoid brands that use non-meat fillers like corn. Cats are meant to eat meat, and that means that they need to have foods that are high in protein.
You won’t be sorry that you chose a cat for your new companion. Cats are often a comfort and can also aid in stress relief. In order to make your cat’s life (and your time as a cat owner) happy and healthy, you have to be prepared to be a responsible owner. Following the guidelines you’ve just read will allow you to improve the quality and quantity of your cat’s years.