Becoming a cat owner is a big decision. Sure cats have a history of being independent pets, however this doesn’t mean you don’t have to take care of them. There are a number of things to consider when caring for a pet cat. The article below will illustrate what things you need to know.
Shop at your local pet shelter for your next cat. Shelters around the country are overflowing, and the cats there need more humans to help. Adoption fees often include things like spaying or neutering them, shots or other vet care. When adopting a shelter cat, you’re saving a life and aiding in controlling the cat population.
Cats love to play so make sure that you provide them with lots of toys. Cats enjoy batting around a fake mouse or little ball around the room. Some cats even develop a favorite toy. Playing with your cat is not only fun, it helps them to get exercise too.
If you have a male cat, it is important to have him neutered before he goes into heat. When male cats start maturing, they will begin to spray around the house. It smells like ammonia and is hard to remove. Having your male cat neutered can help to prevent this from happening.
If you find you cat is harming furniture or other objects, it may be bored. Keep a few safe toys around for your cat to play with. Scratching posts can also deter your cat from scratching your furniture. Or, build a small cat house out of cardboard. Your cat will love having a place to hide, and the cardboard can also be used to scratch on!
An inexpensive rubber welcome mat helps keep cat food off your floor. This is also a great tool to keep your cat from tracking litter out of the box. Black rubber mats cost about three dollars at dollar stores. Put your cat food dish on one and your litter box on another.
Cats can be great pets for children, but some younger children may be a bit too rough with cats. You need to show your children how the cat should be treated. Help them learn how to pick up a cat and care for it. A cat’s bones are not as strong as a dogs, and they should be treated more gently.
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 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.
If you want a cat that is well-behaved and not prone to biting and scratching, make sure that you do not try to adopt one when it is too young. It takes 12-16 weeks for a kitten to learn proper cat behavior from their mom and all of their siblings.
If your cat goes outdoors a lot, the chances are good that they come home filthy once in a while. When your cat is especially dirty or smelling like a skunk, you should make an appointment with the local groomer. Groomers will be gentle with your cat, resulting in a less traumatic experience.
Feeding them lots of different foods can lower their chances of becoming finicky eaters. If your cat only eats one brand of cat food from the beginning, he will probably not like any other brand.
If your cat’s scratching post looks old and worn, don’t throw it away immediately. Cats prefer used scratching posts. Cats may well try scratching something else entirely (like your furniture!) if you replace their beloved toy with something unfamiliar.
When your cat has kittens, it can be tempting to get rid of them as soon as possible, but you should wait a reasonable amount of time. A kitten needs to learn a few things from mom before going off into the world alone, so give him six weeks to learn all he can.
Your cat isn’t immune to the family illnesses. Because your pet is a family member, you are around them enough to know when they are not feeling very good. If so, be sure and make an appointment with your vet. That will ensure that it is a small infection, rather than a serious issue.
Much like people, cats have been known to develop food allergies later in life. Any time you introduce a new type of treat or food into your pet’s diet, watch them closely for signs of an allergic reaction. These include shortness of breath, hives, and erratic behavior. If possible, determine which ingredients are the culprit and ask your vet for recommendations.
Even though holiday time might seem like a good opportunity to introduce a cat to a new him as part of gift to a child, it can be too stressful on the cat if everything is too hectic in your home. A good idea would be to take your children with you when you go to pick out your new pet.
As was mentioned in the beginning of this article, there are many things to consider when owning a cat. Be sure to use the information provided if you are a cat owner or are seriously considering getting a pet cat. When you take care of your cat, your cat will take care of you.
