Taking care of a pet cat goes a lot further than just feeding it every day. You have to consider things like it’s litter box, vet appointments and many other important facets. The following article will teach you everything you need to know about how to properly take care of your pet cat.
Be careful when treating your cat for fleas. Be sure to consult with your vet before using natural alternatives to control your cat’s fleas. Cats are very sensitive to essential oils and many herbs. Your vet will probably recommend you use a prescription flea treatment, which is usually best for cats.
Use bitter apple on your electric cords to keep your kitty away from them. If your cat still prefers to chew on cords, then you have to make sure they stay covered. Loose cords can be bundled and tucked inside old paper towel rolls. Any electronic item not in use should be stored away where the cat can’t get to it.
Make sure to keep chemicals and dangerous substances away from your cat. Chemicals like antifreeze have a sweet taste. This encourages the cat to drink it, most often resulting in fatal consequences. Keeping your chemicals locked up in a cabinet will help to ensure that your curious cat does not end up ingesting poison.
If your cat takes all the ornaments off the Christmas tree, don’t fight it. Begin collecting attractive cat toys and unbreakable ornaments to decorate the tree next year. Be sure not to decorate with potentially dangerous items like tinsel and garlands. Tinsel is a choking hazard for cats and garlands can cause strangulation.
Cats can tend to be more nocturnal than not. The result is that cats prefer to be more active during the night. Close your bedroom door if your cat is driving you nuts at night. This will stop them from bothering you at night, and playing with your feet beneath the covers.
Use short words when you want to express displeasure with your cat. A short ‘no’ will be remembered, even if not always followed. A lot of people think that cats don’t listen to anything, but short word commands are certainly understood by cats, and they will respond to those commands if you are consistent with them.
When training a cat, take the proper approach. Encouragement works better than anger. If you are trying to teach a kitten to use a litterbox, for instance, yelling will only frighten a small cat. When the cat starts to go outside the box, gently place them in the box so they learn.
You need to establish some boundaries if you are getting a cat for your children. Make sure your children know what rooms the cat can go into and what rooms it can’t. If you’re planning to have an indoor cat, explain to your children that the cat is not allowed to be outside. Setting rules in advances ensures understanding.
A cat’s nails can grow really quickly. They sharpen their nails by scratching on different surfaces like a scratching post. You can help avoid your cat destroying your furniture by clipping their nails often. This will help to discourage your cat from scratching at different things around your house.
Speak to your peers about your cat issues. You may think it’s something you can take care of on your own, but other people that own cats could help. You can find several cat forums online where you can ask questions, or you can choose to simply call your vet for advice too.
Never try to teach a cat to use a litter box. Using the litter box will come naturally to your cat. A lot of people think that rubbing a cat’s paws in its litter box may help them, but in reality, it can be damaging to them.
You cat should get cat food that is of a good quality. Scrutinize the ingredients closely, and make sure that quality protein sources like chicken, fish and beef are first on the list. Don’t choose a food which is mainly corn. The main part of a cat’s diet should be meat protein, so his cat food should be mostly real meat.
If you suspect your cat has sprayed in your home but can not find the area, there is hope. Purchasing an inexpensive black light can save you from having to rip up your carpets. Your cats urine will glow under the black light, showing you exactly where to clean.
If there is a place where your cat likes to use the bathroom other than the litter box, there is a simple way to deal with this. There are sprays formulated to be very offensive to cats. If you apply this spray in these areas, the cat will stay away from there.
Sometimes cats can have problems with arthritis when they get older. This makes it harder for them to get around. You can buy them a heated bed to lay in to help ease the discomfort. It is also a good idea to talk to the vet about any medications that might help out.
If you adopted a cat while you were unemployed and it is now time for you to return to work, your cat may get very lonely around the house. Therefore, in order to keep your cat happy and active, you need to consider obtaining another cat.
Owning a cat is not easy. There are a number of things you need to be responsible for. Luckily, the advice in this article has taught you many of those important things. Be sure and implement what you have learned so that your cat will live a long and happy life.
