A cat is a in incredibly deadly animal in the wild of some countries. Today’s domesticated breeds can seem equally as ferocious or wild if they aren’t properly cared for from the beginning. These paragraphs cover many of the responsibilities you can expect to handle and a few ideas for making them easier.
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.
Ensure your cat remains groomed. You can regularly brush or comb your cat. Doing this frequently can help them keep their coat clean. This will also reduce things like shedding and hairballs because it keeps them from having extra hair. If you groom your cat with care, both your pet and your home will look their best.
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.
An inexpensive rubber welcome mat helps keep cat food off your floor. This is also a great tool to keep your cat from tracking litter out of the box. Black rubber mats cost about three dollars at dollar stores. Put your cat food dish on one and your litter box on another.
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.
You should think before allowing your cat to go outside. It might not be safe for your cat to go outdoors. Fleas can infest your cat, or something worse can happen. Cats can also be hunted by other animals, stolen or hit by passing vehicles. If you think your pet needs to go outside, think about enclosing a back patio with metal mesh or some type of heavy screen to keep your cat inside, yet allow them to experience the outdoors.
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.
It is important to make sure that your cat always has fresh water available. You should refill your cats water dish everyday with clean water. There are drinking fountains that provide your cat with a constant stream of fresh water, so you do not have to worry about changing it as often.
Do not try to hold a cat when they are clearly trying to get away. This will not make the cat feel any closer to you and it may prompt them to start avoiding you in the future. Pick the cat up gently and lay him across your lap. If you feel him wiggling to get away, let him go.
Carefully consider where you will locate your cats’ litter box. You may want to place in some out-of-the-way corner so the smell doesn’t bother anyone. But the most important factor is making sure your cat can easily access its littler box. You want your cat to feel comfortable using their litter box. The area around the litter box should be comfortable and warm to walk on, so make adjustments as needed.
While there is nothing wrong with using clumping cat litter for older felines, you should stick with sandy litter when dealing with kittens. The clumping litters are usually treated with all types of chemicals that may nto be safe for smaller cats. Once they are older, you should be able to make the switch with no issue.
If kitty won’t use the litter box, try moving it. Cats know that they’re vulnerable when using the bathroom and need a place that is quiet and safe. A basement, laundry room, or another area that doesn’t experience much household traffic is the ideal spot for the litter box.
Keep your cat indoors as much as possible, close to home and near its owner. Cats who stay inside for most of their lives have a much better life span and are less likely to get diseases and parasites. Cats who live indoors are less likely to contract a disease than those who live outdoors.
A declawed cat should not be outdoors. They won’t be able to protect themselves against other animals, and they run the risk of getting seriously injured. Indoor cats are the only ones that you should declaw. Even so, only remove the front claws when you do so. Leave the back claws, as these do not scratch your floors or furniture.
Once your cat starts to age, they may have to go to the vet more often than they did before. To make sure that your senior cat is in optimal health, you should take him to see the vet at least twice a year. Make sure that you follow any advice given to you during the visit.
When a cat doesn’t learn the right lessons growing up, it can become an aggravating mess of hair and claws. Pamper your kitten using these tips and take care of their appearance as they grow older. A cat can become a lifelong friend if it is treated the right way.
