Cats are graceful, loving and beautiful. Cats are definitely a very common pet and are in every major city. It may be difficult to live with a cat for the first time. Cats can be stubborn and sometimes require more sophisticated tactics to manage them.
Check your local animal shelter if you have plans to get a cat. Shelters have tons of great cats and their adoption fee will generally cover necessary vet care. Adopting your cat through a shelter means you are helping to control the cat population and saving a life at the same time.
You need to take your pet to the vet on a regular basis. In addition to checking the health of your cat, a vet can give him any needed shots. Try using the same vet during your cat's life. They will learn your cat's history best.
Look online for cat medicine. In an emergency, this won't be much help, of course. But if you have to regularly buy pet medicine, you can save 50% or more on some medicines by buying online.
A tablecloth for the feeding area can be quite useful. Sometimes cats like to take food out of the bowl and eat it to the side of the bowl. That means you will have to tidy up the food left beside the cat bowl. A simpler way to do this is by getting a place-mat and placing it under their bowl. You can also cut some fabric to make a tablecloth that can be lifted, washed, or shaken over a trash can.
Do you own a dog and a cat? Keep in mind that the two animals have separate dietary needs, and dogs will try cat food if given the chance. This is why it's important that the cat's feeding area is in a spot that's too high for a dog to get to. This can also prevent unnecessary arguments between your pets over the water supply, once the food has been consumed.
Cats love high spots. A cat will only be happy if you give it a safe spot to look over everything. If a big cat tree is not something that can easily fit in your home, get a sturdy shelf that can be used as a perch. For an additional treat, put a little bed or blanket in there, too.
You should brush your cat on a regular basis. This helps to stimulate blood flow and circulation, and it will also help to evenly distribute the natural oil your cat's fur has. In addition, it helps to reduce loose hair. This helps to stop hairballs and their associated medical problems.
Your cat should be acclimated to a carrier as a kitten. Cats can't be punished like dogs. Cats learn well when they feel encouraged. Place the open carrier in an area that your cat visits often and outfit it with a favorite toy and blanket. The cat will eventually get into it and feel comfy. Once this is achieved, you can transport your cat inside the carrier much easier.
Always make sure that your cat has on identification tags and a collar. This is crucial even if the cat lives inside. The lure of an open door or window is very attractive to your curious cat. Tags that have your vet's name and phone number are good things to put on the collar. Also make sure to note any unusual medical requirements.
If your cat urinates frequently or outside his box, you may need to talk to your vet. This is likely to be something that should be looked after. Affordable antibiotics can quickly resolve the problem.
The best way to make sure that you have a healthy cat is to keep up to date with vaccinations and trips to the vet. Just like kids, kittens must have wellness checks and immunizations periodically to keep health issues and diseases from coming up later. Treat your cat as if it were a member of the family.
Litter Box
Take note if the cat ceases using its litter box. Your cat might have a hard time using the litter box because of a health condition. If your cat is not using the litter, kidney or bladder problems and infections may be the problem. Be sure to go see your vet if your cat stops using its box.
Try moving your litter box somewhere else if the cat won't use it. Instinctively, cat's will search out a safe place to eliminate, so try relocating the litter box to a quiet and secluded area. 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.
Don't use chemicals near your cat that have phenol. This chemical is present in many household cleaners, such as Pine-Sol and Lysol. Cats hate the smell of phenol, and for good reason. Long term exposure to it can cause cats to have live issues.
Be on the lookout for panting in cats. Panting is normal for a dog. Your cat may pant if it is anxious or overheated, but panting may also indicate a more serious problem. It is wise to consult your vet, especially if the cat has past respiratory problems.
Give your cat varieties of dry food whenever possible. When cats are kittens they need wet food because their teeth are so small. Once they grow up though, dry, harder food will strengthen their teeth and keep them clean. If you have a cat that is a picky eater, try combining dry cat food with a wet version.
Keeping your cat in control will be a breeze when you use the information in this article. Soon, your cat will understand its role in your home. Although training a cat is typically more difficult that training a dog, most cats end up trained and well mannered.