As wonderful and delightful as pet cats are, caring for them is definitely not easy. As a responsible pet owner, it is important that you take the time needed to educate yourself on all that there is to know about caring for a cat. This article contains cat care advice to help you be the best cat owner you can be.
If your cat suddenly goes off its feed for no apparent reason, try tempting treats such as jack mackerel, tuna, or cream of chicken soup in small amounts. These are not complete foods and shouldn’t be fed long term, but they are extremely tasty to cats. A finicky cat may start eating again and keep on when given one of these treats.
Have your kids help you take care of the cat. Assign daily jobs such as feeding the cat and cleaning the litter box. Not only will taking care of the cat teach them responsibility, it also gives you a break from these tasks. This means that you can spend more time cuddling with your cat.
Protect your cat from choking. Be sure to dispose of poultry and fish bones safely. Wrap them in a paper or plastic bag and put them in your outdoor garbage can with the lid tightly secured. Alternately, place them in a plastic bag and freeze them until garbage pick up day.
If your cat is pregnant, set up a comfortable, safe place for her to have her kittens. A big cardboard box equipped with a pillow and blanket is good. Place it in the back of a closet or other out of the way place. Keep food and water dishes nearby.
Avoid bladder crystals and stones by feeding high quality food. These are very painful and expensive to treat. Food with a low magnesium content will help. Consult the ingredient list. You will notice that fish-based foods and products are higher in levels of magnesium than anything sourced from poultry.
Consider those expensive cat litter boxes. There are cat litter boxes now that allow you to have minimal interaction with them. This can be great for anyone who is tired of cleaning a litter box. But be careful, as they may not work as easily as they claim to. If you can, make sure there is a return policy and don’t lose the receipt. You may find you prefer the old-fashioned style!
Do not flush clumpable litter in your toilet. This can lead to problems with your plumbing. Instead just lift the clumps and dispose of them in a trash bag. Don’t forget, moisture is what makes the litter clump in the first place! Avoid doing that to your pipes and just dispose of it properly.
Be considerate of your cat’s preferences while traveling. You cat is used to being at home and it might shock him to hear you singing at the top of your lungs. If your cat seems upset or agitated, turn down the music and speak calmly to him.
If your cat has to have a surgery such as being spayed or neutered, they will need rest when they come home. It is hard to keep a cat from jumping up on furniture, but necessary to avoid pulling out stitches. Designate an area in your house for your cat to recuperate where they will be less likely to injure themselves, until they are healed enough to roam free.
Do not wait too long to scoop any waste that has accumulated in a cat litter box. When left dirty for too long, bacteria can grow and it can cause health issues for you and your kitten. It is best to do this every single day so you avoid any issues.
If you have more than one cat, you should have as many litter boxes as you have cats. If too many cats have to share the same litter box, it can mean disaster! The cats may choose not to share their eliminating space, instead, using other areas, such as clean laundry or hidden corners of the home to do their business.
Is your cat peeing all the time, sometimes in places that it shouldn’t? If so, you should talk to your veterinarian. Cats can show this behavior if they have a type of urinary tract infection or other health issue. A potentially serious illness may be able to be treated by inexpensive antibiotics.
Think about extra care before you take home a cat with long hair. The hair may be a gorgeous thing to behold, but it will require a lot of maintenance. These breeds are best left to those with the time and energy to do a lot of cleaning. Long-haired cats also often have hairballs.
When your cat first gives birth to her kittens, resist the urge to pick them up. This is a crucial time for kittens to bond with their mother and learn some basics, so leave them alone. You should be able to have more interaction with the kittens after about a week.
If possible, have your cat eat dry food. As kittens, cats require wet food because of their tiny teeth. When they grow, they need to eat dry food to have stronger teeth. Dry and wet food can be mixed if you have a picky cat.
Use sticky tape to protect your furniture. Cats will avoid scratching furniture if it is equipped with sticky tape. Some pet stores sell tape especially for this. You can put this tape on your furniture and get a scratching post to get your cat out of this habit.
Although cats make amazing pets, it is crucial that they are cared for in a proper manner. Utilize all of the cat care tips and advice you have learned from this article to ensure that your kitty stays healthy and enjoys a wonderful, fulfilling life. He or she will definitely appreciate it.
