Would you save the life of an animal if you could? There are literally millions of cats that need a good home. It only takes some knowledge and commitment to care for a cat. Read here about how to approach the process properly.
Keep your cat groomed. Cats should have regular combings. Brushing rids your cat's coat of dirt and helps keep them clean. In addition, it helps decrease shedding, which results in less hairballs. Keeping a cat well groomed basically helps keep them looking their best, along with your home.
A vet trip should happen for your cat yearly. Your vet will provide your cat with the shots it needs to prevent disease. Your vet can also check the overall health of your cat. Try keeping the same vet throughout your cat's life. This person will be more knowledgeable on your cat's history.
If your cat goes outside, it is important to have a collar with a tag. Understand that cats may travel a long distance; therefore, if it gets lost, this tag will assist you and others in finding it. Have your phone number engraved on the tag.
Spray electrical cords with some bitter apple to prevent cats from getting electrocuted. If your cat still prefers to chew on cords, then you have to make sure they stay covered. You can bundle loose cords together and place them inside paper towel rolls. Personal electronic devices should be stored when not needed to keep their cords out of reach.
Nice furniture and cat claws don't get along very well. You need to get a scratching post or a cat tower to prevent your cat from ruining your furniture. Place this device into an area that your cat frequents, and attempt to get your cat to scratch it rather than the furniture. It might take a little while, but eventually it should stop the problem.
Most cats are nocturnal. Thus, the bulk of their activity will occur at night. Close the door to prevent the noise from getting to you. It also protects your toes from those crafty midnight pounces.
You will often find ways to save money on medication for your cat on the Internet instead of getting it from your vet. Online prescriptions are not the best choice if you do not have the time to wait on a mail order, such as in a medical emergency. For ongoing medical issues, you can buy ahead and save a substantial amount of money online.
Cat Outside
Don't let your cat outside. This could be harmful and unsafe. Your cat may get fleas or have other problems. Other animals and vehicles could also injure your cat. If you allow your cat outside, make sure you live in a reasonably safe area.
Watch kittens around kids. Children under five years old should always be supervised when interacting with a pet. Most of them simply aren't mature enough to grasp the concept of danger to themselves or the animal. As children get older, decide when they show the maturity to handle a small pet.
Make canned food the mainstay of your cat's diet. Dry food is usually cheaper, but canned food boasts a number of benefits. Your cat will get more water and more vitamins and protein. As your cat ages, canned food is more easily chewed. Can food is generally better, but consult your vet first before feeding it to your cat.
A collar and tags are a great way that your cat can be identified if it is found stray. This is essential, even for indoor cats. Even the tamest indoors cat can be tempted by the possibilities presented by an open door or window. Include your vet's info as well as your own on the tags. Also make sure to note any unusual medical requirements.
If you desire a long-haired cat, it's best to know what kind of care is involved before you do so. All that hair will be literally everywhere. Unless you are prepared to do more cleaning, don't buy a long haired cat. There will be hairball issues as well.
Keep your cat healthy, and ensure him a longer life, by keeping him up-to-date on his vaccinations and health check-ups. Just like children, a kitten needs to have immunizations and wellness checks periodically to avoid disease and other health problems later in life. You have made your cat a family member, and you have to treat your cat accordingly.
Watch out for panting. Panting is normal behavior for a dog, but that is not always the case for cats. Panting can be an indicator of health problems in your cat. Be sure and make an appointment with your vet if you notice any respiratory problems with your cat.
Put tape on your furnishings. If they scratch the upholstery up, place some tape on it to keep them from doing it. You can find special tape in most pet stores. By keeping your furniture covered with tape and getting a scratching post put up, you will get your cat to scratch that instead.
Even if your cat stays inside full time, a tagged collar is a good idea. Cats are wily creatures, and many have no problems wiggling out of a collar. If there are tags on the cat that does leave, there's a better shot that animal will be returned to you.
Make sure that you spay or neuter your cat as soon as he or she becomes old enough to tolerate the operation. Cats are curious by nature. Your cat will attempt to get out even if it is always inside. Your cat might get pregnant if it manages to go outside. Unchecked breeding leads to the unnecessary euthanization of thousands of cats every year.
Successfully caring for a cat is a difficult but rewarding thing. Not only that, but you are giving another creature a chance at a better life. The bonds between a cat and its owner can last a lifetime. Take good care of your pet, and it'll take good care of you too.