Cats are as much a part of the family as anyone else. For that reason, you need to do anything you can so prevent them from getting fleas, ticks or any other parasite. Keeping your cat healthy is important. Continue reading for some great tips.
Spay your female cat. Even if you have an indoor female cat, if it escapes when it’s in heat it could get you a bunch of kittens you weren’t planning on having. Spray your cat so that this does not occur.
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.
Protect your cat from strangling by making sure the cords of curtains and blinds are secured and out of reach. When you make or purchase a dangly toy for your cat, be sure to supervise during play. Put the toy away if you will not be around to watch.
If your cat seems to want to avoid his food bowl, try getting a different kind of bowl. Plastic can sometimes turn a cat off if it isn’t cleaned constantly, and can hold on to certain scents. Try glass or a metal bowl for best results, so your cat will keep eating.
When training a cat, take the proper approach. Encouragement works better than anger. If you are trying to teach a kitten to use a litterbox, for instance, yelling will only frighten a small cat. When the cat starts to go outside the box, gently place them in the box so they learn.
Use a tablecloth underneath your cat’s dish. Certain cats prefer removing their food from their bowl and putting it on the side to eat it. This habit means you will end up with cat food on the floor to clean up. Think about putting a placemat underneath the bowl or make your own tablecloth out of fabric.
Cats have a natural instinct to hunt small prey. This can sometimes be a problem if you have other small animals in your home. Make sure that bird cages are hanging from the ceiling. If you have a gerbil or hamster, make sure their cages are secure and up high out of your cats reach.
Get your cat used to a carrier. Introducing your cat to a carrier as a kitten can really help to make this easier. They respond better to encouragement. Inside the carrier, put a favorite toy and blanket. Leave it open in an area the cat will see. In time, the cat will head inside and be happy. As the cat becomes used to being in the carrier, it will become easier to transport them in it.
You eat quality food, and if you want your cat to stick around a long time, they need quality food, too. You should check the ingredients and make sure the food you give your cat includes a healthy source of protein, such as chicken, fish or beef. Any foods with non-protein sources, such as corn, should be avoided. The main part of a cat’s diet should be meat protein, so his cat food should be mostly real meat.
Buy your cat a fountain to drink from. In the wild, cats prefer running water to drink from, and they do in the home as well. Streaming water is much easier for your cat to take in. You may have noticed that a dripping sink faucet quickly attracts their attention. A fountain will allow your cat to have the happiness of drinking from running water.
If you have more than one cat, it is a good idea for you to give them each their own food bowls. Place them far apart so that each cat has their space. If you provide just one bowl for the cats to share, it may cause larger cats to bully the smaller ones.
Cats love to climb trees. This is a natural tendency, that can be hard for some indoor cats to control. If you find that your cat is literally climbing up your curtains, it is time to invest in a cat tower. This will provide your cat a place to climb, in a safer and less destructive way.
If your cat begins defecating or urinating too frequently, it’s time to see the vet. It could be an indication of a serious health problem. Affordable antibiotics can solve concerns that may otherwise be quite serious.
Think about where you want to put the litter box. It is tempting to place it out of sight, in order to avoid the image of it or smells that go along with dirty litter. The litter box should be somewhere that is easy for your cat to get to, however. This will keep your cat as happy as possible. If you keep the litter box on a cold cement floor, put a mat or rug down underneath it.
If your cat has bad breath, a trip to the vet is in order. Bad breath in cats can be a red flag for tooth decay or more serious conditions. These include diabetes, stomach problems and lung disorders. So, if your cat’s breath smells worse than the food he eats, get to the bottom of the issue before it gets out of control.
All cats are vulnerable to a number of different parasites. These parasites won’t go away until you take action. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to spoil and safeguard your beloved cat. Take good care of your pet, and it will appreciate it.
