Only other cat owners know how strange and wonderful it can be to have a pet like a cat. Cats can present unique challenges and unique rewards. As their owner, you have special responsibilities to your cat, even though they seem as if they can get along without you. Here are some ideas for taking care of them.
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 strangling by making sure the cords of curtains and blinds are secured and out of reach. When you make or purchase a dangly toy for your cat, be sure to supervise during play. Put the toy away if you will not be around to watch.
Your cat can devastate your furniture with its claws. If you have problems with a cat that shreds furniture, invest in a durable scratching post. Encourage them to scratch that instead. It doesn’t happen overnight but with some patience, you should be able to save your house from the claws.
Try to avoid your cat from becoming bored each day. Cats need play and exercise. But, too many cat owners fail to realize this. A lack of stimulation can lead to psychological or medical problems for your cat, including depression, compulsive disorders, and chronic misbehavior. Spend time playing with them, and go through a variety of toys to find ones they like and will play with while you’re busy, too. If they are indoors, give them a scratching post or something to climb on.
If your cat takes all the ornaments off the Christmas tree, don’t fight it. Begin collecting attractive cat toys and unbreakable ornaments to decorate the tree next year. Be sure not to decorate with potentially dangerous items like tinsel and garlands. Tinsel is a choking hazard for cats and garlands can cause strangulation.
If your cat is overweight, there are two things you need to do. First, you have to adjust the amount of food you give them, and the other is that you need to get them exercising. Get them cat toys, or play with them yourself, to make sure they are getting the activity they need to slim down.
Male cats sometimes have crystals in their urine, but this can be prevented with the right cat food. If they have to pass the crystals it can cause the cat a lot of pain and paying a vet to help with this can cost you a lot of money. Food with a low magnesium content will help. Consult the ingredient list. Fish products can have more magnesium when compared to poultry.
Do you have both a dog and a cat? Dogs will eat a cat’s food any time they’re given the chance. Thus, you must keep cat food out of the dog’s reach. This will help prevent any fights that may occur between your animals.
Take care if you leave a kitten with youngsters. Kids under five should not be left alone with a pet. They don’t know what harm they can do. As children get older, decide when they show the maturity to handle a small pet.
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.
When you are washing a cat litter box, it is a good idea to use basic soap and water. You may think that it would be more sanitary to use a harsh cleaner like bleach or ammonia, but all that will do is create a smell that the cat will find offensive.
Get your cat a drinking fountain. Your cat will prefer drinking from running water since this is a natural behavior. Streaming water is much easier for your cat to take in. Actually, certain cats like to drink right from the sink faucet as it runs. Installing a drinking fountain for your cat is a more eco-friendly way to provide it with some running water.
Is your cat really sweet and lovable? If so, they might make a good therapy pet. Pet therapy uses animals to go into places like nursing homes, and bring some joy to the people there. Your cat will be happy with all the attention, and you can feel good about doing something positive for others.
Never give your cat a medication that was formulated for humans. If you cat suffers from health issues, ask your vet for his recommended treatment option. Giving cats medication meant for humans is very dangerous and could even kill them.
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.
Taking care of cats can be an interesting pasttime. The ideas in this article can help make things easier for you. It is not always easy being a cat owner, but if you are like most cat owners you wouldn’t have it any other way. Try the information in this article and see how well you do with your cat.
