Cats make wonderful companions. As an owner of a pet cat, it is important that you educate yourself on all of the best cat pet care tips and advice. This article is filled with great pet care information designed to ensure that your kitty-cat enjoys a wonderful life and stays healthy well into old age.
Create a warm bed for an outdoor or feral cat by lining a banana box with a thick layer of newspaper. Cut a piece of Mylar to fit the bottom of the box. Put another layer of newspaper on top. Add a warm blanket. Place the whole box inside a dog house or under a porch where it can’t get wet.
Be sure to have your pet cat spayed or neutered by the time it is six months old. A spayed or neutered cat is a more satisfactory pet because it is calmer, quieter and more likely to stay home. Neutered male cats do not spray urine to mark their territory. This is definitely a plus when it comes to cat ownership.
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.
Keep your cat’s coat healthy by giving them a supplement of nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast is an inexpensive supplement that can be found in most health food stores. Simply sprinkle a little bit on your cat’s dry food, or mix it in with their wet food. Not only do they love how it tastes, but it’s full of protein and vitamins that will keep them looking their best!
A cat’s claws can do significant damage to your home and belongings. If you are having problems with your cat clawing up furniture, then purchase a scratching post or kitty tower. Give them some encouragement and let them know it is okay to scratch that. Your cat will eventually understand they should only use the post or tower for scratching.
Keep an eye on early warning signs of health issues in cats. Cats usually display warning signs if they are struggling with health issues. Some common signs to look out for include eating habit changes, sleeping habit changes, not being able to groom properly, changes in eating habits, changes in sleeping habits, depression, sneezing, increased thirst, watery eyes, changes in behavior, hiding, and vomiting. If they display these symptoms, take them to a vet right away. The sooner you take, them the better.
Younger children can be a little rough with cats sometimes. You need to show your children how the cat should be treated. The objective is to be as gentle as possible with your cat. A cat’s bones are not as strong as a dogs, and they should be treated more gently.
Consider getting your cat a scratching post. Scratching is something that comes extremely easy to cats; it is part of their nature. Don’t force your cat to play with it. Rather, interest him in it by spraying catnip spray on it, or by dangling a string from the top. Soon he’ll get the idea that it’s there for a reason!
Who says only dogs can do tricks? Cats are very intelligent and have the ability to learn as well, especially as young kittens. Some people train their cats to play fetch just like dogs do. There are even people who have successfully trained their cat to use a regular toilet, instead of a litter box.
Do you have dogs and cats? Most dogs will not hesitate before munching on your cat’s food. This makes it a good idea to have a cat feeding place high up enough that your dog can’t get to it. That also means they don’t fight about water after eating the food.
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.
Before bringing home a long-haired cat, consider the extra care involved. The hair may be a gorgeous thing to behold, but it will require a lot of maintenance. If you don’t mind cleaning, get a long-haired cat. Be prepared to deal with hairballs, which are a problem for long-haired cats.
Make sure you consider where you are going to place the cat’s litter box. You are surely tempted to put it where the smell will affect your surroundings the least. This litter box must stay in an easy-to-find spot for your cat. To satisfy a cat’s demanding requirements, the litter box needs to be sited somewhere convenient and comfortable. If you keep the litter box on a cold cement floor, put a mat or rug down underneath it.
If your cat has been scratching things that they should not have, do not think of declawing them as a good way to deal with the issue. While this surgical procedure would stop them from causing any more damage, it is a very painful procedure and it is pretty difficult to recover from.
As was discussed in the opening of this article, cats make perfect pets. As great as cats are however, it is necessary for you as a cat owner to educate yourself on cat care and learn all of the ins and outs. Take advantage of the info in this article to ensure that your beloved kitty stays healthy and happy.
