Cats are wonderful to have around, but they aren't always easy to live with! Whether your cat needs a special diet or hates to be groomed, you'll encounter a number of issues while caring for your pet. In the paragraphs below, you'll find suggestions on how to provide your pet with all it needs.
Prevent your cats from playing with drapery cords. Whenever cats jump on these cords, they might get tangled up in them. This could lead to a severe injury or even death. Therefore, ensure that drape cords are pinned away from your cat's reach.
Make sure that your cat is well groomed. Cats require frequent brushing or combing. Such practices help keep cats' coats clean. It will also limit shedding and may cut down on hairballs. Cat grooming will not only keep kitty looking great, but it will also help to reduce the effort spent picking up cat hair around the home.
Put a heated tile beneath the bed of an older cat. You should heat a terra cotta tile with your oven, at about 200 degrees, for around fifteen minutes. Keep this underneath your cat's resting space for extra warmth. This should be changed a few times a day to maximize comfort.
Be certain your cat has regular vet visits. They should have a routine check-up once a year or more if important shots are due. Cats should go to a vet immediately if they have any conditions, health problems, or injuries that need to be tended to right away.
If you have an outdoor cat, be sure he or she has a tagged collar. Cats can roam far, so a tag will ensure you find them quickly when they're lost. At the very least, you should include your contact info and the name of your cat on the tag.
Location is key when placing a litter box. You shouldn't keep it near your pet's food, and you shouldn't keep it in an area people walk through a lot. You'll want to place the box in a spot with good ventilation to avoid unpleasant smells. This will make you and your cat happy.
Increase the variety of food that you give your cat. If you feed them the same cat food every day, they may not accept anything else. This makes it difficult to find food they'll eat when a store runs out of a certain brand, or you are traveling.
Purchase good quality food for your cat. Your cat needs a lot of protein from meat, so read the labels before you choose a food. Any foods with non-protein sources, such as corn, should be avoided. Cats are carnivores, so if you want them to be as healthy as possible, you need to be sure they're eating enough animal protein.
It's important that cats get play time. Really play is something that all mammals share, no matter the age. While older cats aren't near as energetic, they still enjoy playing often. Therefore, be sure you set some time for playing with your cat.
Think about extra care before you take home a cat with long hair. While long haired cats are soft and look great, understand that there will be a lot more fur around the rest of the house. Don't adopt a cat with long fur unless you're sure you can handle the extra cleaning. Not to mention cats that have long hair are more prone to getting issues with hairballs.
Take your cat for vaccinations often to make sure he or she is healthy. Just like kids, kittens must have wellness checks and immunizations periodically to keep health issues and diseases from coming up later. Please consider your cat as a family member, and take good care of them.
Keep your cat indoors as much as possible, close to home and near its owner. Cats trained to live inside instead of outside live longer according to certain studies. If you want to give your indoor cat some outdoor time, exercise with them. That way, your cat gets some fresh air, sunshine and outdoor scenery without the risks of free-roamers.
Always keep your declawed cat indoors. Without claws, the cat cannot defend against other animals, which can lead to real issues. Declaw your cat if you plan on always having it inside. If you do choose to have your cat declawed, only the front claws should be removed. Don't take the back claws as cats need them to stay balanced.
It is crucial that you never make the mistake of giving your cat any medications that are meant for human use. If your cat is ill, you need to take him to the vet to get proper treatment. Your cat could become very sick or perhaps die when taking your medication.
Cats catch illnesses just like you do. You will be able to tell when the cat isn't well. If you notice something, seek the advice of your veterinarian. The vet can then rule out serious conditions.
Taking care of cats may seem simple at first, and if you're lucky enough to get one that doesn't present any issues they are, but most require a lot of attention, TLC and a few vet check-ups. Use what you learned here to be the best you can be. Your thorough research will result in a good experience for both you and your cat.