Caring for a cat is not always easy. After all, the cat can’t talk to you and let you know what you’re doing wrong, and cats are so independent that sometimes you don’t think they need you at all. This article has some smart suggestions to help you care for your cat in a way that they can appreciate.
Move any drape cords out of a cat’s reach. If the cat becomes caught in a loop, they could choke to death. They could be seriously hurt or even killed. Keep all drape cords out of reach as a preventative measure.
Local rescue organizations are a great place to look for a new pet cat. Shelters are overflowing with wonderful cats, and the adoption fee usually covers essential vet care. Adopting your cat at a shelter allows you to save a cat’s life while also helping mitigate overpopulation.
Let kittens and cat-friendly pet dogs get to know each other slowly. Put up a baby gate to keep dogs in one room while your new kitten gets used to its surroundings. Supervise carefully when the kitten ventures to the gate to meet the dogs. When the kitten feels safe, it will climb the gate. If it feels threatened, it will pop right back out to safety.
Set up a nice, warm and comfortable area for your cat to rest in your home. It should be lined with a warm towel or blanket. Make sure to wash the bedding regularly since it can acquire dust, dander, and anything from outside if your cat is an outdoor cat.
Make a free toy for your cat by placing a little dry rice or a few dry beans inside an empty pill bottle. Close the lid and roll the rattly toy across the floor. Most cats can’t resist the sound and motion. You can also tie a length of twine around the neck of the bottle to make a pull toy or a dangly toy.
Clip your cats nails regularly. Cats do have to scratch. However, when cats scratch, their nail sheaths come off and their sharp, pointy claws are exposed. Clipping your cat’s claws every two to three weeks keeps them blunt and helps keep harm to furniture, humans, and other pets to a minimum.
Receiving plenty of positive, loving attention is important for your cat. Cats provide warmth and affection, and they also require the same from you. Similar to people, cats like to socialize and feel as if they are important to their family. Cats want to feel loved and needed.
If you cat is overly vocal, try to figure out exactly why he or she is making so much noise. After you have coexisted with a pet cat for a long while, you are sure to figure out its meowing patterns. Possibilities include that she is hungry or wants to be let outside. By taking note of your cat’s cues, you’ll understand it more.
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.
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.
Does it seem like your cat’s hairs are everywhere you look? Cats do a lot of shedding, and it helps to brush them. If your cat sheds often, you will need to brush him more often. Brushing can help prevent their fur from matting or tangling.
Clean your cat’s eyes as frequently as possible because their vision is extremely important and extremely sensitive. Cats interpret five times as much visual stimuli during their day and the smallest particle can become stuck and cause damage. A pair of thumbs and a damp cloth are perfect for clearing the eyes and keeping your cat clean.
One way to get a cat to use the litter box is to move it to a different place in the house. Make sure to put it in a quiet spot in your house. Some good places would be basements, laundry rooms, and any other place that doesn’t have a lot of noise and people going in and out.
If your cat has been scratching things that they should not have, do not think of declawing them as a good way to deal with the issue. While this surgical procedure would stop them from causing any more damage, it is a very painful procedure and it is pretty difficult to recover from.
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.
If your cat could stand to lose a few pounds, choose foods that help the animal to feel full. If the cat acts like it is hungry all the time, you will be tempted to feed (and overfeed) it. Look for cat foods that contain higher amounts of protein and fiber. This also promotes a healthy digestive system, which contributes to weight loss.
Your cat may never say thank you, but if you use the tips laid out here, you will know she is well cared for. Just try each tip and watch for your cat’s reaction. You will know whether it is working for your cat by her reaction. Even though it isn’t easy, you can be a wonderful owner to a happy cat.
