Cats, just like all kinds of pets, require care from a responsible owner. Cats require different grooming techniques than dogs. You need to brush them, but not bathe them often. Read on for useful tips for cat care.
Check out the shelter when adopting a cat. Shelters around the country are overflowing, and the cats there need more humans to help. Adoption fees often include things like spaying or neutering them, shots or other vet care. By adopting a cat from your local shelter, you will preserve a life and will do your part in controlling the cat population.
Be sure you have a vet that your cat sees regularly so it stays healthy. Most vets recommend yearly check-ups. If the animal requires certain vaccinations, more visits are necessary. Never hesitate to have your cat checked out if you think that something is wrong; remember that your cat can not tell you they are not feeling well.
Flea Products
Never use a product on your cat that is intended for dogs. Products designed for dogs or other animals could cause a negative reaction from your cat. This particularly applies to flea products. Canine flea products can be lethal to a cat. Keep them separated by at least one door for a few hours after treatment.
A cat’s claws can cause lots of damage to your home. Purchase a scratching post to stop your cat from destroying your home. Teach your cat to scratch this instead of the legs of a couch or sofa. This approach takes time, but it usually works.
Do not allow your cat to be bored frequently. Cats need play and exercise like other pets. A lot of cat owners do not keep their cats busy. Bored cats are more prone to depression, obsessive compulsive disorders, as well as many other behavioral issues. Give them lots of space for exercise and plenty of toys they can play with. If your cat is an indoor cat, a cat tower or scratching post makes an ideal source of fun and exercise.
Give your kitty lots of love. Cats give us a lot of love, and they deserve to be loved back. Cats, just like people, want to feel like a loved part of a family. Socialization is important to them. They probably would like to feel as though they are a wanted part of the family.
Male cats can develop crystals that form in their urine, so prevent this with the right food. Passing these crystals is painful and the vet bill to have this corrected is expensive. Your cat’s food should be low in magnesium. Read the label on any food you choose. Products that contain fish are normally much higher in magnesium over ones containing poultry.
Put a cloth down in your cat’s eating area. Cats often take food from their bowls to eat on the side. This may make a big mess that you need to clean up. Put a placemat under the bowl, or even some fabric so cleaning up is a snap.
There needs to be set boundaries with your children and a new kitty. You can then teach your kids which areas your cat can go into. They should know that indoor cats can’t go outside. If you make the rules ahead of time, you can be sure your kids understand them.
Think twice before letting your cat outside. It can be unsafe. Your cat may get fleas or something even worse than that. Cats can be harmed by cars, people and other animals. If your cat really wants to go outside, let it out into a small area in your yard.
Cats may make a small mess outside their litter box. Many times this occurs because the box wasn’t well maintained. Punishing the cat will only make him afraid to be around you in the future.
Keeping vaccinations up-to-date is the way to make sure your cat lives longer and more healthy. Stick to regular check-ups. Cats need regular checkups, just like humans. A cat is a member of the family, and therefore, is entitled to the same treatment as other loved ones.
Dogs will often wag their tails to show their happiness or excitement. Cats wag their tails, but definitely not for the same reason. Tail wagging for a cat is more subtle and can indicate many different emotions. Sometimes a cat wags its tail when threatened or frightened. If kitty starts wagging his tail while you’re holding him, it’s best to put him down so you don’t get scratched.
Avoid any products containing phenol around your cats. This is a chemical that is normally found in Lysol, Pine-Sol and other household cleaners. These chemicals can have a devastating impact on your cat’s liver.
Cats have a great sense of smell, which allows them to be more perceptive. It can occur when something new is introduced to the home, like a new water bowl, scratching post or bed. Don’t get frustrated if they don’t like these items right away. As the smell of your home gets onto the items, they’ll warm up to them.
If your cat has frequent hairballs, and extra brushing hasn’t helped, here are some other tips that may help. Mix in a few pinches of pumpkin into your cat’s food. You can also mix one teaspoon of tuna water in with the pumpkin. Special foods are available to help treat hairballs.
Consider making your cat an indoor-only friend. Most cats that reside outdoors tend to lead shorter lives, and are more easily apt to get a disease that could seriously harm them. Some diseases that cats get can be spread to humans. To make a cat feel like it is outdoors, ensure you have a room with plenty of natural light in it for your cat to enjoy.
Your cat will be much happier if you apply the tips from this article. The ability to make your cat look and feel healthy and happy lies with you. Any grooming efforts you take will be appreciated by your cat. This article has hopefully taught you how to properly groom your cat.
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