Cats usually make their owners very happy. You also have to realize that having your own cat is hard work. There are a variety of important responsibilities that all cat owners must understand. This article is full of information regarding those particular responsibilities. Keep reading to discover more ideas for good pet care.
If your cat suddenly goes off its feed for no apparent reason, try tempting treats such as jack mackerel, tuna, or cream of chicken soup in small amounts. These are not complete foods and shouldn’t be fed long term, but they are extremely tasty to cats. A finicky cat may start eating again and keep on when given one of these treats.
Cats are constantly grooming themselves, and this is why they rarely need a bath. If your cat gets into something particularly stinky, a bath will not hurt them. If your cat does not like water you might want to wear gloves so that you do not get scratched. You might also want to enlist the help of a friend or family member.
To keep your cat happy and healthy, its important to schedule regular visits to the vet. Not only are regular checkups good for catching problems early, but regular visits can insure that your cat keeps up to date on its vaccinations. If you don’t know when the last time your cat had its shots, schedule an appointment for booster shots as soon as possible.
Save your furniture with scratching posts and pads. It is natural for cats to want to stretch their claws out and scratch. This does not mean that a cat owner must have damaged furniture. Provide your cat with places that it is okay to scratch and redirect them there if they decide to try out your sofa. Cat scratching posts come in many shapes and materials and some cats prefer a particular type so it may take some trial and error before you find the right combination for your kitty.
Prevent crystals from forming in the urine of male cats with the right diet. Passing these crystals is painful and the vet bill to have this corrected is expensive. Your cat’s food should be low in magnesium. Check the ingredients list on the label. Products including fish have a higher magnesium content then poultry based products.
If you going to be gone for more than a day, you should have someone look in on your cat. Leave out plenty of food, but have someone come to make sure it doesn’t run out. If you do not have a neighbor or family to look in on your cat, you can usually find a cat sitter for a few dollars each day.
Think hard before allowing your cat outside. This can put your cat in an unsafe position. You cat might pick up pests or fleas. Other animals, cars and people can hurt your cat. If you allow your cat outside, make sure you live in a reasonably safe area.
Get your cat a breakaway collar. Make sure it has tags that reflect a phone number, even if you are uncomfortable with an address. Cats can run outdoors or slip away, and you don’t want to worry that you’ll never see your cat again. Make sure that there is adequate information so you can be reached.
When your cat makes a mess somewhere other than their litter box, don’t get mad. They’re doing it because the box is too dirty, or they may be sick. Punishing your cat may cause him to become afraid of you or their litter box.
Do not place the cat litter box in the same area where you place the bowl your cat eats from. Cats want a clear separation between the two areas, so make sure you give it to them. It is not likely you would want to eat in the same place where you use the bathroom, so give your cat the same courtesy.
Cats have an uncanny ability to always find their way home. If you move to a new home, keep your cat inside for about a month. This will help your cat to familiarize themselves with the smells of your new place. If you let your cat out too soon, they might go home to the wrong house.
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.
If you worry about your cat getting rabies, fleas or getting exposure to fungus, don’t allow them to go outside. Outdoor cats are much more likely to encounter these type of dangers than cats who are kept inside.
Think about having your cat just be indoors. Outdoor cats are known to have a shorter life expectancy and they also can catch more diseases. You may even catch their disease yourself. Let your kitty have a sunny location indoors, such as a sunroom or window to fulfill their outdoor desires.
If your cat is diabetic, check his blood sugar at least once a day. Having a record of his blood sugars can provide you with helpful information to pass on to your vet. Your vet can then adjust insulin and other medications accordingly. This can also help you to determine how food is effecting your cat’s health condition.
When caring for your cat, make sure to trim his nails on a regular basis. Many cats end up in shelters every year because owners become angry when they scratch furniture and flooring. If you keep your cats nails trimmed, this will be less of a problem. Invest in a good pair of nail clippers, and use them on a weekly basis.
In conclusion, there are many benefits from being a cat owner. But good care is key to enabling your cat to maximize the duration of its life. Keep this information in mind if you want to bring a cat into your home.
