Cats are lovely, beautiful creatures. However, cats do require special care. There are various responsibilities that cat owners must know. Here you’ll see exactly what those are. Keep reading to discover more ideas for good pet care.
Good grooming is important for cats. Cats should have regular combings. This will help them maintain a clean and healthy coat. It will also limit shedding and may cut down on hairballs. A well groomed cat will be much more pleasant for everyone and will also help you keep your home clean.
Cats are constantly grooming themselves, and this is why they rarely need a bath. If your cat gets into something particularly stinky, a bath will not hurt them. If your cat does not like water you might want to wear gloves so that you do not get scratched. You might also want to enlist the help of a friend or family member.
Whenever you take your cat anywhere, use a cat carrier. No matter how gentle your cat is, it could become frightened. If this happens, it could bolt off and be quickly lost, injured or killed. At the vet’s office, your cat will be safe from unpredictable animals if you use a pet carrier.
Pick the right location for your cat’s litter box. Never put the box near your cat’s food, and pick a quiet place away from areas that are heavily used. Also be sure that the cat litter area is ventilated so the smell doesn’t linger. Both your cat and you will appreciate this.
Do not use medicine meant for a dog on a cat. This is especially important for topical medicines. Cats do their own cleaning, and if a dog medicine is used on a cat, your pet can ingest it. There are some medicines that work for both cats and dogs, but only use them if the vet says it is okay.
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.
Speak to others about your cat problems. It can really help to get advice from fellow cat owners. There are online cat forums that allow you to ask questions as well.
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.
Be patient with your pets when you introduce a second cat into your home. There will be an inevitable adjustment period as your two cats get to know each other. They may be leery of each other at first and fight. However, cats should eventually learn to co-habitate properly.
Provide safe and engaging entertainment for your cat at all times. Even if you cannot be in the house with your pet, you should ensure that it has access to toys and other diversions. Sometimes we perceive that cats are lazy animals, but that doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy playing to pass the time. This is especially important if your cat is alone in your house for long periods of time.
Most cats are prone to wax build up and ear mites. You can purchase a solution at the pet store that will clean out your cats ears. You put a couple drops in each of your cats ears and then hold them closed while massaging them for a minute. When you let go, stand back or you will get covered in the liquid when your cat shakes its head.
A kitty door is a great way to allow your cat to go in and out, without any help from you. You can also use kitty doors on doors inside your home. This can be great if you have a dog or small children, to keep them out of the room with the litter box.
Use aversives to deter your feline friend from going places where it is not allowed. An aversive is anything that creates an undesirable environment for your cat. Examples include shelf paper (sticky side facing upward) and tinfoil. Most cats prefer to avoid these textures at all costs. You can also use carpet tape that has adhesive on both sides.
Don’t ever let your declawed cat outdoors. The cat will have difficulty playing with other animals and may get hurt. Indoor cats are the only ones that you should declaw. Even with that, only their front claws should be removed. A cat’s back claws are important to his balance.
If you are bringing a new kitten into a home with one or more cats, purchase an extra litter box so that your other cats do not have to share right away. It may take some time for your established cats to become used to the new scent in the house.
There are a few human foods that can be quite dangerous if consumed by a cat. Chocolate and onions are two of the foods out there that can be toxic to cats. You should do all of the research you can to make sure that you are not giving your cat any food that can hurt them.
If your schedule has changed recently, leaving your cat alone for long periods of time, you may find that your cat will seem lonely or lethargic. If this is proving to be a problem, consider getting another cat to keep them company while you’re gone.
There are so many reasons why cats are such popular and beloved pets. But if you want a happy and healthy cat, you’ve got to care for it properly. If you see cat ownership in your future, put these tips to good use!
