In case you are unfamiliar with the word, feral cats are the population of cats that live wondering along the street. There are many abandoned cats like these, and they can be a huge problem. Feral cats are pests that can drive customers away from businesses, costing them a great deal of money.
Make frequent checkups with your vet to keep your cat healthy. Understand that cats require vaccinations in order to stay healthy, and the veterinarian needs to regularly check for any health problems. Do your best to use the same vet for your cat's entire life. This also allows the vet to become more familiar with your cat's unique health needs and personality.
An outdoor cat must always wear a tag on its collar. The collar and tag will make it easier to find the cat if it gets lost. The tag should have at least the pet's name and the number where you can be reached.
Think about getting a microchip implanted in your cat. Even though a cat may live inside, you never know if it will run out the door to escape. Tags and collars may be able to help you get your cat back, but cats can sometimes take these things off or they could get hung up on a tree or something. Microchips are as tiny as a piece of rice and will tell people where the cat belongs. They are impossible for your pet to lose, and most vets and shelters have equipment that can read these chips.
When it comes to litter boxes, placement is everything. Never put the box near your cat's food, and pick a quiet place away from areas that are heavily used. Additionally, don't make the mistake of putting it in a poorly-ventilated area, or the smell will become overpowering. Your cat and you will prefer this in the end.
Avoid the chance that your male cat will develop crystals in his system that will come out in his urine by feeding a high quality diet. Passing those crystals hurts and having this corrected by a vet is expensive. Your cat needs food low in magnesium. Read the labels. You will notice that fish-based foods and products are higher in levels of magnesium than anything sourced from poultry.
Cat medications can be bought affordable online. When an emergency strikes, however, you may not have the option of buying medications on the Internet. However, if your pet gets regular prescriptions for a chronic or ongoing issue, you can often save up to 50 percent by shopping online.
Regularly brush your cat's hair. This will spread a cat's oils from their fur and help blood flow from within their skin. It also loosens hair that is about ready to fall out. Avoid the choking that can be a result of hairballs which slowly build up as your cat grooms himself.
You should now be able to step outside of your residence and defend against stray cats invading your yard. Cats can make great companions. Cats need to be handled carefully, as they are sensitive. You may even discover a stray cat that makes you smile!