The cat is a valued family member. You have to keep them from becoming infested with bugs. The article below can help you in caring for your cat. Read the following article to learn about recommended methods for keeping these parasites off your cat.
Make sure you don't allow your cat to be around drape cords. Do not let your cat play with these. If the cords are in loops and the cat jumps into them or plays with them, they could possibly get them caught around their neck. This may seriously injure or kill your cat. Pin and hide drape cords to avoid this.
You should be bringing your cat to their vet for a check-up regularly. Cats require special shots to prevent illness and the vet can check their overall health. Always use the same veterinarian if possible. This person will be more knowledgeable on your cat's history.
If your cat is female, it is very important that she be spayed when the vet feels she is old enough. It does not matter if you an indoor cat; if she gets out when in heat, you can end up with many kittens. If your cat has been spayed, however, you won't have to worry about this happening.
You may want to have a microchip implanted in your cat. Even cats that live their lives entirely indoors can suddenly escape out a window or door. Cats can get out of a collar or, worse, have that collar choke them to death. A microchip is tiny, similar in size to a single rice grain and capable of holding plenty of information. Scanners to read pet microchips are available in every town and they will not come out from under the skin.
Cats can spend hours keeping themselves and their fur clean. When your cat's coat is long, it can result in hairballs. To assist your cat if it has this problem, you should get food that's special. Some cat foods are specially formulated to help reduce hairballs, which is good for both you and your pet.
Always watch a kitten around small kids. Never leave a pet alone with a child who is any younger than five. A child of that age doesn't realize when they are being too rough with a pet. As they age, you can determine how much interaction they should have with the animal.
Never try to teach a cat how to work a litter box. They will do it on their own and don't need to be taught. While some folks think you should pick up your cat and place their paws against the litter, this can actually be traumatic.
Consider getting your cat a fountain to drink from. Cats that live in the wild like drinking from running water, and they have the same desires in a home. Streams of water will attract your cat. Cats will often drink from a running sink and actually prefer it over the water in their bowl. A drinking fountain provides a more natural and environmentally friendly way for your cat to drink.
Your cat needs to always wear some tags on a collar. Even if it's an indoor cat, this is important. Cats are inquisitive and will explore an open door or window if it is presented to them. Make sure the collars have tags with your contact information and your veterinarian's information as well. This is very critical if your feline has specific medical issues.
If your cat is urinating a lot or in areas away from the litter box, they may need to see the vet. This behavior may be indicative of an infection of the urinary tract or some other issue. Often this problem is quickly and inexpensively cured with a common antibiotic.
Aired Cats
If you are considering a long-haired cat breed then you should also consider the extra maintenance required. Long-haired cats shed constantly, and the fur ends up on your clothing, floors, and everything else in your home. You should only get a long-haired cat if you are prepared for the extra grooming and cleaning. Additionally, consider that longer-haired cats are more likely to have issues with hairballs.
If you have a cat who is pregnant, make sure that you give her a private spot that is closed away from other animals and has room for her to move in easily. The kittens will arrive within three or four hours, so try to be patient. If the time has surpassed six hours and your cat is not finished, take a trip to your vet.
Some foods that you enjoy as a human aren't any good for your cat. Grapes, onions and garlic are a few of the food items. If your cat eats these, it may cause him to get really sick or even worse. Milk can too. It can give your cat stomach pains.
Cats can contract many illnesses that you do. They're a part of your family, so you should know when they're not feeling well. Always take your cat to the vet if you suspect illness. The vet can then rule out serious conditions.
Don't give table scraps to your cat. Human food isn't always good for cats. When you want to give your cat a treat, feed him no more than a tablespoon of boiled chicken or beef. However, as long as you follow the instructions for feeding on your choice of cat food, his diet should be nutritionally complete.
While the holidays might seem like a nice time to gift a pet to a child, they are quite hectic and sometimes not great for spending a lot of time getting to know a new furry friend. Try bringing your child along with to assist in the pet selection process.
The possibility of fleas are something that every cat owner needs to be aware of and prepared to fight. A parasitic problem will not fix itself. The tips in this article explain how to care for your cat. Take good care of your pet, and it will appreciate it.