A quick brain, purring and grace. These are the wonderful traits you get when owning a cat. Cats can take a lot of work and this article can help you out. This article has a lot of useful information in good cat ownership. Read on.
To help prevent tapeworm infestation in cats, feed a small amount of food grade diatomaceous earth for two weeks out of each month. About a quarter of a teaspoon per cat per day is adequate. Food grade diatomaceous earth kills internal parasites and causes them to be expelled from the system.
If your cat is an outdoor cat or a cat that has a habit of getting outside, they need proper identification. The cat should have a safety collar and an ID tag. Safety collars that have elastic bands allow cats to get out of the collar if they get it caught on something. An ID tag or an implanted microchip can help your cat get returned if they’re lost.
If your cat is a female, it needs to be spayed when it reaches the appropriate age. Even if your cat is an indoor cat, if she escapes while she is in heat you might end up with a lot of kittens on your hands. If you want to prevent this, spay your cat.
Your cat’s claws can wreck havoc on your furniture. Buy a scratching post if you need to protect the furniture in your home. This can encourage cats to scratch something other than things that are off-limits. Be patient, it might take some time for your cat to learn to use the post or tower.
Never have your cat declawed. Many people misunderstand declawing, thinking it is the simple removal of a cat’s nail. This is not true. In fact, the veterinarian must remove the top knuckle along with the claw during the procedure. This can result in arthritis pain later in life and many behavior problems, such as biting. There are many alternatives from scratching posts to glue-on claw caps that can protect your belongings from a cat’s claws without resorting to such a harsh surgical solution.
Do not feed your cat any kind of human food that contains bones in it. If you are giving your cat chicken or fish, be sure to remove the bones beforehand to prevent a choking hazard. Chop the food that you serve into small bits to make it easier to digest for your cat.
Handle your kitten often. The longer your cat is handled as a kitten, the more readily they will accept being handled when they are grown, especially around their paws. This is important as all cats will have to visit the vet occasionally, and this process is much easier and less stressful if the cat is accustomed to being handled. It will also make grooming and nail trimming much easier.
Try to figure out why your cat makes meowing sounds. As you develop a relationship with your cat over time, it will become easier to determine why she is meowing. Your cat could be hungry or thirsty, or it may want to leave the house. Understand your cat’s preferences, and you’ll be that much better off.
Do you have both a cat and dog? Dogs will always try to eat a cat’s food. Try locating your cat’s food in an area where the dog cannot go. This also makes sure that the two don’t fight over water.
Understand your cat’s sounds. Meowing is a form of communication, often for food or to get your attention. There are other sounds, though. Hissing usually indicates fear or anger, so you should stay away. Cats also make certain sounds when they see prey. This often sounds like a chirp. Purring may indicate contentment, but sometimes it means nervousness.
Playtime is important for kittens as well as older cats. The best games are those that involve hunting and chasing. Try to think like your cat, choosing toys like feathers on string. The cat is attracted to the movement of the toy, so he will love to chase it if you pull it along without him seeing you. It is important to let your pet win occasionally, to keep him interested.
If you suspect that your cat is pregnant, make an appointment with the vet as soon as you can to make sure that is really the case. There are a few serious illnesses that can mimic pregnancy, so you want to make sure that none of these has affected your cat.
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.
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.
There are lots of cats out there that do not have homes. Consider adopting one from your local pet agency before heading to the pet store. They usually provide the cat with all of the necessary shots before you adopt them. The cats are also spayed or neutered to prevent pet overpopulation.
Make sure that you take your cat for regular vaccinations and check-ups. Getting medical care for your cat is essential for its’ health. Your cat needs to stay up to date on all shots in order for it to be healthy and happy. Regular check-ups will make sure you can spot any health issues before they get out of control.
Now that you have read this article, you can better take care of your cat. This will help you to become a better cat owner. When you take care of a cat properly, the cat will be happier and you may enjoy each other much more. Experiment with these tips and see for yourself.
