Do you have a cat? If you do, you know how much fun it can be. Cats are not as easy to please as dogs, but they have their own personalities and can be a great pet to have in your home. Here are some tips that will help you take care of this wonderful animal.
Taking your cat in for regular check-ups at the veterinarian’s office is part of being a responsible pet owner. Cats need yearly shots and overall health assessments. For the most consistent pet care, choose one veterinarian and stick with them. They will learn your cat’s history best.
The cat’s litter box should be placed in the right spot. The box should be out of the high traffic areas and a good distance from where your cat eats. Also be sure that the cat litter area is ventilated so the smell doesn’t linger. Your cat will be more comfortable and you will too.
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.
While usually cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Teach your kid how to properly handle a cat. Spend some time showing them how to lift a cat and how they can interact with the cat. Cats have weaker bones than dogs do, and must be treated accordingly.
Consider getting your cat a scratching post. Scratching is something that comes extremely easy to cats; it is part of their nature. Don’t force your cat to play with it. Rather, interest him in it by spraying catnip spray on it, or by dangling a string from the top. Soon he’ll get the idea that it’s there for a reason!
Consider adopting multiple cats, especially it will be spending a significant amount of time alone. One cat can do fine alone, however two are not much more work or expense than one, and can keep each other company and entertain each other. This will stave off boredom, especially if you work long hours.
Let your cat exercise their hunting instinct. Cats are natural born hunters; however, this does not mean you need to allow mice to invade your home. Hide treats and toys throughout your home, and your cat will have a blast hunting down their treats. You can also find feather and laser toys that your cat can chase and pounce on.
Don’t stress yourself out about instructing your cat on proper litter box usage. This is the sort of thing which flows naturally. A lot of people think that they can take their cat and try to rub their cat’s paws on the litter, but this may just traumatize the cat.
Do not leave wet cat food in the bowl for longer than twenty minutes after your cat is done eating it. After you see your kitten is done for the time being, throw out the rest of the food and make sure to wash their bowl thoroughly with light soap and water.
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.
If your cat is bitten by another cat, try to get him to the vet within 24 hours. The vet can put him on antibiotics that will protect him from infection setting in, and causing serious health problems. Cat bites can trap bacteria under your cat’s skin, forming an abscess, or other dangerous infection that can cost you hundreds of dollars to treat later.
When your cat has kittens, it can be tempting to get rid of them as soon as possible, but you should wait a reasonable amount of time. A kitten needs to learn a few things from mom before going off into the world alone, so give him six weeks to learn all he can.
It might seem like a little much for an animal, but you should comb your cat’s hair as often as possible. Combing the hair helps prevent the cat from licking loose fur and building a furball to spit up later. Different cats shed at different rates and some require a lot more maintenance than others.
Panting is a bad symptom. For dogs, panting is typical behavior. Panting can be an indicator of health problems in your cat. You should be speaking with a vet in case there is a respiratory issue.
Are hairballs posing a serious problem for your cat, and additional brushing does not help to reduce them? Mix in pumpkin (a teaspoon’s worth) into the cat’s food. A teaspoon or so of water from a can of tuna can also be mixed in with the pumpkin. Some cat foods even have anti-hairball benefits.
Cats can be a lot of fun if they are happy. They might never play fetch with you, but a cat is a wonderful companion. Use the tips laid out in this article to help you to properly care for this furry friend. Then, see if you can search out more tips. The more you know, the better cat owner you will be.
