The Challenges Of Caring For A Cat

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If you were able to save a cat’s life, would you? There are literally millions of cats who are stuck in shelters through no fault of their own, and they need a loving forever home. All that is needed is for someone to adopt them and offer proper care. These things can be learned about within this article.

Female cats need to be spayed as soon as they reach the proper age. It does not matter if you an indoor cat; if she gets out when in heat, you can end up with many kittens. Spaying your cat is the best way to prevent this from happening.

Kitty claws can be quite destructive to fabric and furnishings. If your cat is ripping up and shredding your home, invest in a kitty tower or scratching post. Put cat nip on it to attract them to it. They may not take to it overnight, but they should eventually.

TIP! Keep drape cords away from cats. Cats love to play with hanging cords and this poses the threat of your cat hurting themselves or becoming entangled.

Cats generally will meow for a reason. The more time you spend with your cat, the better you’ll understand what its meows mean. She will let you know when her demands are for food or when you need to let her out. Getting to know your cats cues will help you to interpret her meows.

Use a brush on your cat regularly. This will reduce the amount of bacteria on the fur. Also, it helps manage loose hair. This prevents hairballs, which can cause choking, and builds up in the cat’s stomach from self grooming.

Reduce the chances of raising a finicky cat by feeding them several brands of food while they are young. When you give the same thing day after day, it becomes boring.

TIP! Cats need a certain amount of grooming to stay healthy and presentable. Cats require frequent brushing or combing.

Animal Protein

You need to buy some quality food for your cat. Check out the list of ingredients of any food you are considering buying. Ensure that an animal protein source, including fish, chicken, or beef, is the main ingredient. Steer clear of food made primarily of corn and fillers. Understand that your cat needs a lot of animal protein to stay healthy.

Buy your cat a fountain to drink from. When cats are in the wild they tend to prefer water that is running when they are thirsty, this applies to cats at home. Cats react better to a moving water stream. Actually, you will see many cats prefer running tap water from the sink instead of the water bowl. A fountain will allow your cat to drink like he or she is in the wild.

TIP! Make sure you purchase medicines and treatments specifically for cats. They can have very strong and possibly negative reactions to dog products.

Feed your pet canned food. Although dry food is usually less expensive, canned food is better for your cat. The moist food gives your cat water, and it usually has more protein and fat in it. For older cats, canned food chew easier. Speak with the vet, but food in cans tends to be better.

If your cat urinates frequently or outside his box, you may need to talk to your vet. Cats sometimes behave like this if they have a urinary infection or other medical problem. You can solve this problem thanks to some very affordable antibiotics.

Litter Box

TIP! Make sure your cat has a collar and tag if outside. Cats can range far from your home and the tag will help them find their way home.

Pay attention if your cat won’t use their litter box. If your cat refuses to use its litter box, there may be an underlying health concern. Kidney, bladder and infection issues can make this occur. Call your veterinarian right away if your cat doesn’t use the litter box.

If your cat’s about to have kittens, create a spacious area in which she can do so. The birth of the kittens will take approximately four hours, so use a little patience. Bring your cat to her vet immediately if six hours have passed without all the kittens coming out.

Give the cat a collar with your contact information. Even if your cat lives in the house, he could always get out. If this occurs, make sure they can return home.

TIP! Don’t let your cat’s days pass without stimulation and excitement! Cats need play and exercise like other pets. Sometimes, cat owners don’t realize this.

Don’t ever declaw cats that go outdoors. Without claws, your cat is essentially defenseless against other animals. This is a dangerous situation for the cat. Cats should only be declawed if they’re going to be inside fulltime. Even so, you will only want to get the claws up front removed. A cat’s back claws are not used when scratching furniture, so those can be left.

Cat Isn

Your cat isn’t immune to the family illnesses. You see your cat each day, so you should develop an intuition about when it is sick. It is important to have your cat checked out at the vet. The vet can reassure you that your cat isn’t seriously ill.

TIP! Most cats are very nocturnal. It is likely that they will want to play while you are sleeping.

Vet visits are often inevitable, and the bills can quickly pile up. A great idea is to order your cat medication from an online website to save money. Some companies will even deliver directly to your home. This can be great if you have to get heart worm pills or flea treatments that your cat has to take every month.

Your cat should always wear a collar with tags. Cats are intelligent and will take whatever chance they can get to go outside. If your pet is wearing a tag and collar, it’ll be easy for anyone who finds it outside to bring it back to you.

It’s tempting to give your cat a bath to get them all fresh and shiny again. However, unless your cat is excessively dirty, there’s usually no need for a bath. Cats frequently groom themselves by using their tongues that are specifically designed to remove dirt. Cats are normally very concerned on their appearance.

TIP! Your cat needs lots of affection and love. They give lots of affection and need some in return.

It’s the holidays, and you are probably thinking that this would be a great time to get a cat for your child, but in reality, it’s probably too hectic of a time for your child and the cat to get to know each other. Choose a quieter time, and bring your little one with you to pick out the cat.

You should feel proud about your ability to care for your cat. You are giving a home to an innocent animal. The bonds that you form with your cat will last a lifetime. Having a cat can actually help you to live a happier and longer life.