Cats are truly very finicky creatures; however, they can make great pets. There is a ton you need to know, and this article provides you with great advice.
Cats can really scratch up your home. If your kitty is doing this, one way to redirect his behavior is to purchase a scratching post or cat tower. Teach them to scratch on it instead of your belongings. Your cat will eventually understand they should only use the post or tower for scratching.
Being nocturnal is quite normal for cats. They get very active at night. Close your bedroom door if your cat is driving you nuts at night. It also protects your toes from those crafty midnight pounces.
Litter Box
You have to place a litter box correctly. A cat’s litter box should be in a quiet spot in the house, away from where your cat eats. It is also advisable to keep the litter box area ventilated to control odor. Your cat will appreciate it and so will you.
When getting a little kitty for your kid, set boundaries beforehand. Make sure everyone understands which parts of the house the cat is not allowed in. Be sure that your children understand that an indoor cat must never be allowed outdoors. Establishing these boundaries ahead of time prevents any confusion.
Consider all the options before you let your cat be an outdoors cat. It can be unsafe. Your cat may get fleas or something even worse than that. It can also be potentially hurt by cars, people or other animals. If the cat must go outside, set aside a small part of the backyard or front lawn as a place where they can go.
Do you own a dog and a cat? Dogs are known for eating other pet’s food. You should create a feeding space for the cat that is much too high for a dog to get to. This also ensures that there are no squabbles over the water between the two, when the food is gone.
Litter Box
You cannot teach a cat to use a litter box. Using the litter box is instinctual for cats, and they require no training. Many people believe that taking your cat to the box and rubbing their paws in the litter is a good idea, but it may actually traumatize them.
Canned food is an excellent choice for cats. Dry food is cheaper, but some wet foods have more benefits. They have more water, protein and fat too. Older cats also find it easier to chew up. Speak with your veterinarian, but keep this tip in mind.
You should give your cat at least three weeks to grow used to the presence of a new animal. Expect to see your cats avoid each other, hiss, or even confront one another. Sooner or later, they’ll tolerate and even begin to love each other.
Frequent or misdirected urination may warrant a trip to your vet’s office. Cats sometimes exhibit this type of behavior when they have a urinary tract infection or other health concern. Most of the time, these conditions can be resolved with relatively affordable antibiotic treatments.
If your pet is expecting kittens, be sure she has a spacious area to give birth in. Labor can last as long as four hours, so stay patient. If the time has surpassed six hours and your cat is not finished, take a trip to your vet.
Litter Box
Move the litter box if your cat won’t use it. The cat instinctively feels vulnerable when using the litter box, so make sure it’s in a location that’s totally quiet and safe. Some great examples of such locations are basements, laundry rooms or any other less frequently used room in your home.
When dogs are excited or happy, they will wag their tails when they see their owners. Cats wag their tail for a different reason. Cats wag tails if they sense conflict, or if they’re trying to decide whether to fight or flee. If you happen to be cuddling with your cat when the wagging occurs, be prepared to loosen your grip!
You should get a collar with your contact information and make sure your cat wears it all the time. Even if your cat lives in the house, he could always get out. If your cat does get out, make sure that it can get home.
Your cat will thrive if allowed to say indoors. Indoor cats live longer than others allowed to walk around the neighborhood freely. Going outside may give your pet some exercise, but the risk of disease or injury outweighs that benefit.
Your cat may be lonely if you return to work after adopting them. If your cat is going to be home alone often, then you should consider adopting a second cat.
You may think that giving your cat a bath will help it stay properly groomed and clean. It’s not necessary unless there is a mishap. Cats are self groomers, with barbed tongues that make for excellent cleaning utensils to rid themselves of any dirt. Cats are very particular about their appearance!
It is important that you treat your cats with tick and flea medications year-round. There are many monthly drops that are quite effective. Using these chemicals protects your pet from parasitic organisms, many of which are capable of causing serious illness. Be sure to use something made just for cats to keep your pet safe.
Your cat should be kept inside during inclement weather. Cats do not fare well in the extreme rain and snow. They will simply find somewhere to hide in this weather. If you leave them out, you might lose them once the weather event is over.
Caring for a cat may appear simple if you luck out and get a cat that doesn’t cause major issues, but many needs lots of TLC, some vet check-ups, and lots of attention. Use the tips from this article to help you be the very best cat owner and fully enjoy the experience. Reading this article will better your relationship with your furry friend.
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