The joys of owning a cat are endless. That said, they're not easy to care for. There are many responsibilities that every cat owner needs to be aware of. Luckily in this article you can figure out just what you're going to have to do. Continue reading to learn some excellent approaches to caring for your feline friends.
Keep drape cords away from cats. These can cause your cat to choke if they get a hold of it. This could cause injury or death. Make sure that the cords are completely out of sight.
If you want to have the love of a cat, get one from a shelter. Shelters are filled with beautiful cats, and the fee for adoption will basically cover the needed vet care. Adopting your cat at a shelter allows you to save a cat's life while also helping mitigate overpopulation.
Your home likely has no small spaces a curious cat won't want to investigate. A collar can become a liability if your cat is especially adventurous. A breakaway style collar will literally "break away" if pulled too tight. It can really be a life saver for your cat.
Do not allow your cat to stay bored all of the time. Play is important to the health and vitality of your cat. The unfortunate thing is that many owners of cats don't realize this. Cats who get bored can actually become depressed or display other undesirable behaviors. Give them toys and things to do. If they are indoors, give them a scratching post or something to climb on.
Give your kitty lots of love. Cats need companionship as much as we do. Like people, cats like to socialize and need to feel like they're an essential part of your life. Make them feel at home.
Cats love to be clean. In long-haired cats, hairballs can result from excess grooming. There is a special food on the market that does help out with hairball issues. Some foods contain extra oils and nutrients, specifically designed to prevent or diminish hairball concerns.
You can sometimes find better prices for cat medication online than getting it from your veterinarian. Naturally, some stuff won't be available online. If you regularly need to buy pet medication, you can get a savings of up to 50 percent online.
Cover the area around your cat's bowl with a cloth. Often, a cat will remove food from his bowl to eat on the side. Sometimes this will make the area around the bowl messy, and you'll have to clean it. The best thing for you to do is to have a place mat underneath the cat's bowl.
Feed your cat quality cat food. Check out the list of ingredients of any food you are considering buying. Ensure that an animal protein source, including fish, chicken, or beef, is the main ingredient. If the food uses fillers like corn and other things that are not protein, that's not a sign of the good nutrition a cat needs. This type of food should be avoided. Cats in the wild are meat eaters, and domestic cats need meat to ensure optimum health.
Ensure your cat is collared and wears an identification tag. This is crucial even if the cat lives inside. Cats tend to be curious and open doors and windows can be inviting. It is a good idea to include your own phone number along with the name and contact number of your veterinarian. This is also essential if they have specific medical needs.
It may be time to take your cat to see the vet if it begins urinating more frequently and in places besides its litter box. This is likely to be something that should be looked after. Take the cat to the vet if it stops using the litter-box and let the vet diagnose the problem.
Think about how much extra care is entailed in bringing a long-haired cat into your home. The hair may be a gorgeous thing to behold, but it will require a lot of maintenance. Don't adopt a cat with long fur unless you're sure you can handle the extra cleaning. Hair balls are also more prevalent in long haired cats.
Keeping your cat up to date on vaccinations and annual check ups can keep your cat in good health and provide a longer life. Just like children, a kitten needs to have immunizations and wellness checks periodically to avoid disease and other health problems later in life. Your cat is wonderful addition to the family, and must be cared for in the same way that you would treat all members of your household.
The potential benefits of cat ownership are, it's worth stating again, numerous and wide-reaching. Of course, the only way to experience this is to provide everything your cat needs to be healthy and happy. Apply what you've learned here, if you're thinking of adding a cat to your life.