Are you a person that owns a cat? If yes, you know how precious these animals are. A cat like any pet really needs care and love. Luckily, you can do all of this. Continue reading for great tips on how to care for your cat.
Before acquiring a cat, be sure that you have the wherewithal to take care of all necessary vet care. Cats reproduce at an alarming rate, and spaying or neutering is essential to keeping cat population under control. Check spay, neuter and vaccination costs and packages with local vets and clinics and be sure you can afford to give your cat proper medical care.
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.
Cats are constantly grooming themselves, and this is why they rarely need a bath. If your cat gets into something particularly stinky, a bath will not hurt them. If your cat does not like water you might want to wear gloves so that you do not get scratched. You might also want to enlist the help of a friend or family member.
Make sure your cat is properly hydrated. Like humans, cats need to drink lots of water. If they don’t get enough water, they can get dehydrated, develop various health problems, or die. Make sure they always have a bowl of fresh and clean water. The bowl itself also needs to be cleaned and refilled every day. You should also keep this bowl in one location.
Find out how much food you are supposed to be feeding your cat. While cat food containers give general information, find out from your vet how much food your cat should be eating. Many owners do not do this, and end up overfeeding their cats. Take the time to find out the proper amount so you don’t end up with an overweight kitty.
Cats love to be clean. Long hair encourages hairballs. To fix this problem, you can try buying a new food. Some foods contain extra oils and nutrients, specifically designed to prevent or diminish hairball concerns.
If you have to travel with a cat you should remember their ears. You may love loud music, bit it might be bothering your cat. Therefore, try to turn down your music or keep if off altogether so your cat has a better trip.
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!
Do you own a dog and cat? A dog may enjoy eating your cat’s food when he has the chance to do so. This makes it a good idea to have a cat feeding place high up enough that your dog can’t get to it. This can prevent squabbles over water when their food is gone.
Always watch a kitten around small kids. If the child is younger than 5, don’t leave them alone with a kitten. Kids of this age aren’t old enough to know how dangerous a cat can be. When children get a little older, they develop the skills needed to be around small animals.
The chances are good that your cat will come running for their favorite treat. There are many different recipes out there specifically for homemade cat treats. This is a fun way to spoil your cat. There is also the benefit of knowing what exactly your cat is consuming, to ensure that it is healthy for them.
If you are adding a kitten to a household that already contains a dog, it is important to socialize the kitten to the dog at an early age. At first, constant supervision is essential. Let the kitten and dog spend time together while you hold the kitten, letting them explore and get used to each other’s smells. When socialized early, cats and dogs can live happily and peacefully together.
Entertain your cat with simple “toys” made from household objects. Many cats enjoy exploring boxes, such as those that hold 12-packs, small appliances, or other products. Before allowing your pet to play with a box, you should be sure that the animal cannot get stuck in small openings or tight spaces. This would be dangerous and very frightening to your pet!
Make sure you put your catbox in the optimal location. You may believe that the litter box should be kept in a small place so that you won’t smell it. But the most important factor is making sure your cat can easily access its littler box. Cats tend to be finicky so you need to give them an environment that isn’t off-putting or inconvenient. Instead of just keeping the box on cold cement, add a rug or mat beneath it.
Your beloved cat is someone that you wish to take proper care of. You are now more educated on how to properly care for your cat. Use what you have read here so that you can have a cat that’s in good shape and happy. You can increase the life span of your beloved pet by properly caring for it.
