Beautiful movements, intelligence and many different noises. These are the wonderful traits you get when owning a cat. Don’t be fooled, cats may be cute but they do come with their fair share of problems. This article contains cat tips that are essential to your cat’s happiness, and therefore your own. By the end of this article you will be relating to your cat on a whole new level.
Cats love to play so make sure that you provide them with lots of toys. Cats enjoy batting around a fake mouse or little ball around the room. Some cats even develop a favorite toy. Playing with your cat is not only fun, it helps them to get exercise too.
If you cat is pregnant is with babies, you can expect to have a lot of kittens on your hands. Create a comfortable place for the cat to deliver her babies somewhere in your home. Make sure the spot is big enough for the kittens to move around as they grow.
Keep the litter box clean. Cats are naturally very clean animals, and a dirty litter box will have your cat looking for alternative places to relieve himself. Cats also value their privacy, so try to locate the box in an area that does not get a lot of foot traffic.
Do not flush clumpable litter in your toilet. This can lead to problems with your plumbing. Instead just lift the clumps and dispose of them in a trash bag. Don’t forget, moisture is what makes the litter clump in the first place! Avoid doing that to your pipes and just dispose of it properly.
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.
While children should help with the care and responsibilities of a cat, leave the litterbox duties to the grownups or older children. A cat’s litterbox can carry diseases and parasites. Since younger children may not follow proper handwashing procedures, this job is better left to those older and more responsible.
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.
Provide your cat with high-quality cat food. Read the ingredient label, and make sure a protein from meat tops the list. Some foods contain a lot of fillers like corn products, don’t buy those. The main part of a cat’s diet should be meat protein, so his cat food should be mostly real meat.
Think about getting a drinking fountain for your cat. Cats like running water in the wild, as well as in the home. Cats seem to like a water stream better. In fact, many cats like drinking from faucets more than from their water bowls. A drinking fountain designed for your cat is the ideal solution to keep the cat happy.
Sometime a second cat will calm a single destructive cat. This seems counter-intuitive, asking for twice the destruction, but a second cat can give them both something to do. Introduce them slowly and expect some initial squabbles. After a while, though, the cats will usually get along and the destructive behavior will subside.
Entertain your cat with simple “toys” made from household objects. Many cats enjoy exploring boxes, such as those that hold 12-packs, small appliances, or other products. Before allowing your pet to play with a box, you should be sure that the animal cannot get stuck in small openings or tight spaces. This would be dangerous and very frightening to your pet!
Playtime is important for kittens as well as older cats. The best games are those that involve hunting and chasing. Try to think like your cat, choosing toys like feathers on string. The cat is attracted to the movement of the toy, so he will love to chase it if you pull it along without him seeing you. It is important to let your pet win occasionally, to keep him interested.
If you are having problems getting the cat to use the litter box, move it. A cat’s instinct tells him that eliminating puts him in a vulnerable state, so try putting his litter box in a safe, quiet area of the house. Try rooms that are less used, such as a basement or utility room.
Is your cat really sweet and lovable? If so, they might make a good therapy pet. Pet therapy uses animals to go into places like nursing homes, and bring some joy to the people there. Your cat will be happy with all the attention, and you can feel good about doing something positive for others.
Put a collar around your cat’s neck. Make sure it has your address, phone number and name. Even a cat you plan to keep indoors can sometimes get out or get lost. Do everything possible to make sure your cat is returned safely to you in the event it gets out.
You should now have some ideas you can use. Use the tips above to help you be a good cat owner. And when you care for your cat properly, you’ll find that your cat is happier and you can enjoy your cat that much more. Use the tips that you learned here and soon you’ll see how much happier your cat really is.
