Cats are fantastic pets, but there are certain things you need to know to care for them in the best way possible. You need to learn more on how to properly care for your beloved cat to make sure it is safe and healthy. Read these tips to be the best cat owner you can be.
Dog products shouldn’t be used on cats. Products designed for dogs or other animals could cause a negative reaction from your cat. This definitely applies to flea products. When used on your cat, flea products for dogs can be lethal. Actually, it is best to separate the cat from the dog once the flea problem has been treated.
Spraying the electrical cords in your home with a bitter apple solution helps keep the cats from chewing on them. If they like to chew on cords, try covering them as much as you can. If you have any loose cords around your home, try stuffing them into a used paper towel roll. Any electrical cords that are really thin (and very tempting) should really be hidden whenever possible.
Give your cat lots of attention and love. They give us love, and we need to return it to them. They are social creates which need reassurance. A cat can feel that he is a valuable, cherished part of their household.
You should think before allowing your cat to go outside. It can be unsafe. Cats can become infected with fleas, ticks and ringworm. Additionally, your cat is likely to be injured by cars or other animals. If your cat must be an outdoor cat, limit it to your own backyard.
Do you have both a cat and dog? Dogs will eat a cat’s food any time they’re given the chance. You should keep your cat food away from the dog. This also ensures that there are no squabbles over the water between the two, when the food is gone.
Brush your cat’s fur regularly. Brushing spreads natural oils through the fur and also stimulates circulation. It also loosens hair that is about ready to fall out. Loose hair causes hairballs, a common problem for cats. The hair enters the pet’s stomach and they later cough it up.
If you offer a variety of foods to your cat, it will be less picky about what it eats. Keeping the same kind of food around most of the time makes it to where they only want that specific food.
Make sure that your cat has a collar on with ID tags on it. This is important even if your pet lives indoors. Cats can be very curious and they may escape out of a door or a window. Tags that list your contact number and vet’s name need to be worn. This is also vital if your animal has health issues.
If a cat urinates often or in odd places, it should probably go see the vet. This could be a sign that your cat has a urinary infection or another health condition. Inexpensive antibiotics generally clear this right up.
Play is essential to your cat’s life. After all, everyone likes to play. Your old cat will not play as much but will still appreciate the excitement. Take time to have fun with your cat.
Keep your eyes open for any signs of panting in your cat. Panting is dogs is normal. Your cat may pant if it is anxious or overheated, but panting may also indicate a more serious problem. Be sure you get in touch with a vet, especially if your animal has had problems with breathing before.
If your cat is spitting up hairballs frequently, and extra grooming does not help, these handy tips may help. One mixed teaspoon of pumpkin mixed into your cat’s food should help. You might even want to try to add a teaspoon of tuna water mixed together with the pumpkin to see if that helps. Anti-hairball foods are available commercially as well.
If you were home all the time when you first adopted your cat and are now going to be out of the home, your cat might get lonely without you there. To ensure they’ll stay happy while you’re out of the house, you should consider getting a second cat.
Apply sticky tape to your furniture. The tape can stop your cat from scratching. Check a pet store for this kind of tape. You can put this tape on your furniture and get a scratching post to get your cat out of this habit.
Don’t let a cat out if you don’t want it to get fleas, feline AIDS or other diseases. This is not saying indoor cats cannot be affected by some of the same things, but outdoor cats are more susceptible.
Keep a collar and tag on your cat. Cats are intelligent creatures and will use any opportunity to wander outside. If your cat has a tag on its’ collar, then you will have a better chance of it coming home to you if it gets out.
Cats are enchanting animals, but you need to understand how to care for them. Use what you learned here for a happy and healthy cat. Through your efforts, love, and time, your cat can have a healthy and fulfilling life.
