A cat owner is a special person. Not everyone can live with an animal that can be as finicky and contrary as a cat can be. But if you own a cat, you know that there are plenty of rewards, too. Here are some cat tips that will make life with your cat smoother.
You must always take your cat for regular vet check-ups. Cats require special shots to prevent illness and the vet can check their overall health. Do your best to keep the same vet for your pet’s entire life. This helps make sure your vet knows your cat’s history.
Avoid being kept awake by your cat romping through the house at night. When you first get your kitten, establish a habit of putting it to bed in a comfortable crate with a nice bed, litter box, food and water at night. If you start this early, your cat will appreciate having its own safe, cozy room.
Realize that cats do not normally pant. Dogs pant to keep cool. If a cat pants, it’s a sign of trouble. Your cat could be very anxious or in pain. Likewise, rapid breathing is a sign of pain or anxiety. Be sure to contact your vet right away if your cat starts panting.
Although depicted in countless movies and cartoons, milk is not the best source of nutrition for your cat. Once cats have grown, they do not need milk as a regular part of their diet. Milk can cause stomach distress and bloating. Instead of giving your cat milk, always have fresh, clean water available to them instead.
If you replace an old scratching post, your cat may be unhappy with the new one. Save money on scratching posts. Wrap your old scratching post with some sisal rope to spiff it up. Your cat will be happy not to lose its favorite old post. You will save a little cash.
Prevent your cat from chewing on electrical cords by spraying bitter apple on them. Most office stores sell a tube that you can stick all of your wires and cords through if the spray doesn’t work. You can take loose cords, bundle them up, and stick them inside the tube from an old roll of paper towels. All thin cords should be put up when you’re not using them.
If your cat kicks litter all over the floor, simply use a bigger container. A large, roomy tote with high sides makes a good litter box. A big round tub also makes a good litter box. A restaurant size bus tub is a capacious litter box. Providing higher sides and more space will solve your cat’s litter kicking problem.
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.
Is your cat constantly munching on your house plants? If so there is a fix for this. Growing oat grass or catnip yourself can help entice your cats away from your plants. Giving them plants that they can eat and like will help draw them to those plants over and over again.
When bringing a new kitten home, take it slow. It is tempting for children to want to play with the new addition to your home immediately. But the young cat will likely be scared. Give the cat time to acclimate itself to your home and to get comfortable with everyone.
Take care if you leave a kitten with youngsters. Up until your child is five, children shouldn’t be alone with your pet. Little children do not have the necessary skills yet to handle a pet by themselves. Once the child grows up a little, he might be more able to handle the kitten.
Make sure that there are enough litter boxes in your home for all of the cats that are staying there. It is optimal to have one litter box for each cat. If you live in a home that has a lot of floors, there should be one on each floor for each cat.
Do not leave wet cat food in the bowl for longer than twenty minutes after your cat is done eating it. After you see your kitten is done for the time being, throw out the rest of the food and make sure to wash their bowl thoroughly with light soap and water.
Use aversives to deter your feline friend from going places where it is not allowed. An aversive is anything that creates an undesirable environment for your cat. Examples include shelf paper (sticky side facing upward) and tinfoil. Most cats prefer to avoid these textures at all costs. You can also use carpet tape that has adhesive on both sides.
Though taking your cat to the vet is inevitable, the bills can be costly. One way to save some cash is to order your pet’s medications via the Internet. Some companies deliver right to your door. Simple medications that your cat needs to take regularly (e.g., pills for heart worm and flea dip) are especially well-suited to online purchasing.
If you have a cat that goes outdoors, consider having him micro chipped. A micro chip will help someone to locate you if they ever find your pet. This is especially important if your pet lands in a shelter, as shelters give pets a limited time if they cannot locate the owner easily.
Having a cat is not easy for everyone. But when you have a cat, you realize how special they are. The tips here can help you to take care of your cat and to make things run smoothly. Give each of them a try, and see how successful they are for both you and your cat.
