Now that you have a cat in your home, what are you going to do with him? Cats can be mysterious creatures, so you aren’t ever sure how to handle them. You might not be able to make them happy, but you can make sure that you’re taking care of them. Here are some tips to help you.
If your cat is picky about drinking water, invest in a cat fountain. These battery operated or plug in fountains keep water circulating and aerated. Many cats prefer this. A cat fountain will help keep your cat out of the kitchen sink and the toilet. It will also help prevent your cat from pawing water onto the floor in search of fresh water.
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.
Attend cat shows for tips about your cat. A cat show only costs a few dollars to attend. But when you attend one, you see vendors selling cat items, and show pet owners that give their cats the best of everything. You can get ideas for best brands to feed your cat, as well as ideas for grooming and caring for your cat.
If you have to travel with a cat you should remember their ears. You cat is used to being at home and it might shock him to hear you singing at the top of your lungs. This means that you should keep your music turned down or off so the cat can relax.
If you going to be gone for more than a day, you should have someone look in on your cat. Leave out plenty of food, but have someone come to make sure it doesn’t run out. If you do not have a neighbor or family to look in on your cat, you can usually find a cat sitter for a few dollars each day.
When you get a cat for your kids, make sure your kids know the rules in advance. Make sure your kids know where the cat can be. If you’re planning on keeping your kitty inside full time, make sure your kids know their pet shouldn’t go outdoors. If you make the rules ahead of time, you can be sure your kids understand them.
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.
Do not wait too long to scoop any waste that has accumulated in a cat litter box. When left dirty for too long, bacteria can grow and it can cause health issues for you and your kitten. It is best to do this every single day so you avoid any issues.
Go pick yourself up one of those water fountains for cats. When cats are in the wild they tend to prefer water that is running when they are thirsty, this applies to cats at home. Cats prefer to drink water that is streaming. Cats often like the running water more than their own bowl of water. Fountains keep the water cool and clean.
If your cat has recently given birth, be sure she has a safe, private area to take care of them. Mother cats can become frightened by strangers or loud noise, sometimes leading to decreased milk production. They may also hide the kittens in places where you cannot find them, such as closets, or under beds.
When getting a small kitten to eat dry kitten food, be patient. At first they usually just play with food. It may take a little while, but they’ll eventually learn that they are supposed to eat it rather than toy with it. If the food is moistened first with milk, a kitten may take to it faster.
Getting a second cat is usually beneficial to both, but you have to give the two cats a few weeks to get acclimated to each other. They may still hiss and growl when they are in the same room together. Eventually, they become used to each other and are comfortable together.
Understand the difference between cat play and real aggression. Both activities can look the same to an untrained eye, but there are differences. When two cats are playing, they will bat each other around with claws retracted. They will “bite” with their jaws loose. Real aggression will involve hisses, squeals and hard biting.
Chemicals that have phenol in the should not be used around a cat. This chemical is usually in Pine-sol, Lysol, and other house cleaners. Not only is the smell offensive to cats, but exposing them to this chemical for prolonged periods of time can lead to problems with their liver.
If you were home all the time when you first adopted your cat and are now going to be out of the home, your cat might get lonely without you there. To ensure they’ll stay happy while you’re out of the house, you should consider getting a second cat.
Switch up cat food flavors. Cats can be notoriously picky eaters. This can be frustrating if a flavor is out of stock or, worse, discontinued. Don’t let your cat get into the habit of eating one food and only one food. Make sure there’s some healthy variety in your cat’s diet.
Even if you aren’t sure how you can make your cat happy, or figure out how to make them purr, you can take care of him. The tips laid out here will help you to make sure that you’ve done everything you can to care for your cat. Happiness is more elusive.
