Cats, like most pets, require plenty of responsible care. You don’t groom a cat the same way you would a dog or another type of pet. It takes a little more time and energy to get the look that you want. Read on for useful tips for cat care.
Give your new cat some space. Moving to a new home can be stressful on a cat, especially one who is no longer a kitten. To help them adjust, give them a quiet place that they can call their own, such as a spare bathroom or laundry room. This gives them a safe space they can retreat to until they have become comfortable with exploring the whole house. Depending on the cat, this process may take a few days up to a month or more.
Do not feed your cat any kind of human food that contains bones in it. If you are giving your cat chicken or fish, be sure to remove the bones beforehand to prevent a choking hazard. Chop the food that you serve into small bits to make it easier to digest for your cat.
Do not use medicine meant for a dog on a cat. This is especially important for topical medicines. Cats do their own cleaning, and if a dog medicine is used on a cat, your pet can ingest it. There are some medicines that work for both cats and dogs, but only use them if the vet says it is okay.
If your cat constantly meows, you need to try to figure out why. The more time you spend with your cat, the better you’ll understand what its meows mean. She could be trying to tell you she’s hungry or needs to go outside. When you understand what each type of behavior indicates, you can improve your relationship.
Consider adopting multiple cats, especially it will be spending a significant amount of time alone. One cat can do fine alone, however two are not much more work or expense than one, and can keep each other company and entertain each other. This will stave off boredom, especially if you work long hours.
Do you have more than one cat? If so, then you should have more than one litter box as well. Having one for each of your cats will give them multiple spots to go. If the odor gets too much you can add a little baking soda to the litter to freshen it up.
Find a litter that your cat enjoys. Different litters have different smells and textures, so help your cat to find a litter that he is generally comfortable with using. Cats generally like to keep things the same though, so don’t experiment too often or your cat may avoid the litter box.
Play with your cat. A lot of cat owners don’t do this. They are happy to let their cat entertain themselves. However, playing with your cat can help to mentally stimulate him and give him the physical activity he needs. Use small balls, paper bags and any number of small toys to get your cat moving.
When the cat’s litter box starts to become rough and worn at the bottom, it is time to replace it. If you leave it this way, it will cause waste to accumulate in damaged areas. Your cat may be very offended by the odor and decide to use the bathroom somewhere else in the house.
If you live in an area that is populated by wild animals, such as coyote and fox, you may need to make you cat an indoor cat. Wild animals pose a real threat to cats, and to avoid the loss of a beloved pet, it is sometimes best to keep them indoors for the course of their lives.
When your cat starts urinating often or in odd places, it may be time to see the vet. Cats often do such things when suffering from urinary tract infections or other sorts of health issues. Some cheap antibiotics can get rid of some dangerous illnesses.
Where did you put the litter box? It is temping to put it someplace where the odor will not be noticed. Make sure that your cat can get to its litter box very easily. It helps to make life easy for the cat, as they can be quite picky about things. If the box is placed on a cold floor, place a mat under it.
Stay current on your cat’s exams and vaccinations. Cats need to have vaccines and check-ups just like children. This can help to prevent diseases. Please consider your cat as a family member, and take good care of them.
If you suspect that your cat is pregnant, make an appointment with the vet as soon as you can to make sure that is really the case. There are a few serious illnesses that can mimic pregnancy, so you want to make sure that none of these has affected your cat.
If you are expecting a child, this is more than enough reason for you to have your pet spayed or neutered. Some cats get very aggressive when they see little ones in the house. After having this procedure done it is less likely for your cat to do anything to harm the baby.
If you have a problem with your cats scratching furniture and doors, here is a natural way to curb this destructive behavior. Take a cloth, or soft brush, and apply a thin coating of citrus juice or hot sauce to the areas your cat is scratching. Try to find something that will not discolor the wood. Cats hate citrus and anything spicy, and should eventually learn to avoid these areas.
Once your cat has had the best grooming possible, it can look good. Do whatever you can to make sure your cat is happy. Your cat will love you for grooming them, and it’s a good time for bonding together. Use all of the tips in this article for a happier cat.
