Adding a cat to your family can be quite enjoyable. Getting pets before properly preparing is a disaster. Although, preparation may not be enough to fix every cat problem. This will ensure you know all you can for a great relationship.
If your cat is outdoors, it needs to have a tagged collar. Cats can range far from your home and the tag will help them find their way home. Even if the tag just has your phone number, it can be the difference between your pet coming home and being lost forever.
Some cats like to scratch up floors and furniture. Think about a scratching post or kitty tower if your cat’s claws become a problem. Entice them to scratch those items rather than your belongings. It may take some time and some corrections, but it can usually eliminate the problem.
Grooming is something that most cats do all the time. Your cat’s long hair can cause hair balls. If your cat needs assistance with this problem, consider a special diet. The are specially formulated cat foods that help reduce the instances of hairballs, which is not only good for your cat, but also good for you and your feet in the middle of the night.
If you get a cat for your kids, make sure to set clear boundaries in advance. Let your children know which areas of the house are off-limits for the cat. If you want to have an indoor cat, explain to your children that they cannot let it go outside. It’s important to remind them as often as necessary, and when you plan ahead of time to teach your children, you will less likely to have issues.
Try and figure out why kitty is meowing. After living with your cat for long, it’s easier to interpret its meows. Your cat might need food or might want to go out. Listen to what’s she’s trying to tell you, and you’ll begin to understand her cues.
Reconsider having an outdoor cat. Cats come to harm outside every day. You cat might pick up pests or fleas. Your cat might be injured by people, other animals and even vehicles on the road. If your cat has to be outside, make sure it is only in a small area near the house.
Cats love heights. For a truly happy cat, provide a safe place for your cat to survey his surroundings. Placing a shelf or two up high will not take up too much space in your home. To make it really special, put a bed or blanket up there too.
If you’re having an issue with your cat, try to get some input from other cat owners. You may think it’s something you can take care of on your own, but other people that own cats could help. You can find several cat forums online where you can ask questions, or you can choose to simply call your vet for advice too.
Train your cat to tolerate a pet carrier. Cats are not as responsive to punishment as dogs are. Positive reinforcement is a better training tool for cats. Leave the door to a carrier open at all times, and make the interior enticing with a beloved toy and blanket. The cat will feel safe when it enters this carrier after a while. This takes the hassle out of traveling with your cat in its carrier.
Increase the variety of food that you give your cat. This will ensure that your cat gets a taste of many different foods.
Litter Box
Make sure that the litter box placement is easy for your cat to get to. It’s sometimes tempting to put the box somewhere that you don’t have to smell or see it. Make sure your cat can easily reach the litter box at all times. You want your cat to feel comfortable using their litter box. For example, a rug or mat is a good way to make a litter box placed on a concrete floor more attractive to your cat.
Some foods that you enjoy as a human aren’t any good for your cat. In part, these include garlic, onions and grapes. These foods will cause indigestion or much worse for your cat. Even though everyone knows that cats love milk, this can actually cause a cat to have an upset stomach.
Avoid any products containing phenol around your cats. This chemical is present in many household cleaners, such as Pine-Sol and Lysol. Your little friends find this smell completely offensive. Even worse it can cause liver damage over time.
Outdoor Cats
Pet cats should not be allowed to spend time outdoors or away from its home for long periods of time. Research has shown that indoor cats have longer life spans than outdoor cats. Outdoor cats face numerous predators and are at a higher risk of disease.
Always keep your declawed cat indoors. The cat will be unable to defend itself against other cats or animals, risking injury or even death. Cats should only be declawed if they’re going to be inside fulltime. If you do choose to have your cat declawed, only the front claws should be removed. Allow your cat to retain their back claws which are less damaging to indoor surfaces.
Never give your cat a medication that was formulated for humans. If the cat is sick, you must take it to the vet. Your cat could become very sick or perhaps die when taking your medication.
If your find that your cat is panting, pay attention. Dogs normally pant on a regular basis. Panting sometimes means your cat might be overheated or perhaps anxious, but it also can sometimes mean something even more serious. Talk to a vet right away when panting persists.
No matter how old or young your cat or where you live, the tips in the article above will help you with training your cat. Though the concepts are the same, there will inevitably be variations and a different set of circumstances for each family. Most importantly, enjoy your cat.
