If you had the chance to save an animal’s life, would you do it? Cats in shelters need you. To save a life, consider adopting one of these lovely animals and giving it a loving home. This article will teach you how to care for that new cat once you bring him home.
Cats like to get into all sorts of small spaces. A collar can be a dangerous thing to wear in such a place. Breakaway collars will “break” if they’re pulled too tight. This could save your cat’s life!
Realize that cats do not normally pant. Dogs pant to keep cool. If a cat pants, it’s a sign of trouble. Your cat could be very anxious or in pain. Likewise, rapid breathing is a sign of pain or anxiety. Be sure to contact your vet right away if your cat starts panting.
Cats and electrical cords don’t mix. If you notice your cat has a habit of chewing on electric cords, try to bundle them up and hide them out of the cat’s reach. If that’s not possible, spray a little bit of bitter apple onto the cords. Not only is bitter apple non-toxic, cats absolutely hate the taste.
Find out how much food you are supposed to be feeding your cat. While cat food containers give general information, find out from your vet how much food your cat should be eating. Many owners do not do this, and end up overfeeding their cats. Take the time to find out the proper amount so you don’t end up with an overweight kitty.
Make sure your cat gets lots of love. Think of all the friendship and comfort cats provide to us. Cats need social time with the family just like people do so that they know that they are valued. They wish to be a happy and valuable family member.
A proper diet for male cats will help prevent kidney problems that cause them to pass crystals with their urine. It is painful for your cat to pass these crystals and the cost to have this treated by a vet is high. Choose a low magnesium food. Be sure to read the ingredient label. Fish products tend to be higher in magnesium than poultry products.
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.
To make sure your kitten is properly socialized to humans, begin early in his life, about ten to twelve weeks of age. Be sure that he is handled and petted by humans in his family and by others as well. When he is older, he will be a calmer, friendlier cat.
When you introduce a new cat into your home, you have to be careful with how your other cat reacts. Try giving the new cat a little space in one room at first, and then introduce him to the rest of the house. Make sure to have different litter boxes at first too. If you ease the new cat in, it will go more smoothly for everyone.
Keep track of your feline friend by having the animal microchipped. This small device is implanted beneath the skin between your cat’s shoulder blades. Microchip implantation may sting for a few seconds, but the implant is otherwise unnoticeable and will not cause your pet any discomfort. This chip makes it easier for animal control to locate your cat if it goes missing.
If your cat begins defecating or urinating too frequently, it’s time to see the vet. Cats may show this behavior if they develop an infection of the urinary tract, or some other health issue. A quick course of antibiotics can head off dangerous complications if you get your cat diagnosed and treated early enough.
If you have more than one cat, you need more than one litter box. Ideally, each cat should have its own box. This prevents the box from becoming overfilled or crowded. An unappealing shared litter box sometimes causes cats to take their bathroom business elsewhere in your house. As you can imagine, this can be quite a nasty surprise!
When your cat is close to giving birth, provide a spacious area for her. You need to be patient, as it will be three or four hours before all the kittens have been born. Once 6 hours have passed, if all the kittens have not been delivered you should seek the help of a vet.
When your cat first gives birth to her kittens, resist the urge to pick them up. This is a crucial time for kittens to bond with their mother and learn some basics, so leave them alone. You should be able to have more interaction with the kittens after about a week.
Your cat needs to get regular checkups and vaccinations. This is the only way to make sure that they stay healthy and don’t pick up any illnesses or parasites. A veterinarian can provide these services for you. Animal shelters can be used as well if there isn’t a vet near you.
When it comes to cat litter, you should scoop out all of the waste on a daily basis. Cats will not use a litter box that is overflowing with waste, and they will start looking for somewhere else to use the bathroom. Change the entire box at least once every few weeks.
Successfully caring for a cat is a difficult but rewarding thing. Not only that, but you are giving another creature a chance at a better life. You will develop a strong bond with your cat that will last a lifetime. Take good care of your cat and she will be your companion for years to come.
