A lot of people get a cat because kittens are so adorable. Then, when they get the cat home, they’re not sure what to do. They are not always as expressive as dogs are, so cats can sometimes be puzzling. Here are a couple ways you can keep your cat happy.
Keep your cat away from your drapery cords. These are not great play toys for cats. They can wrap around a cat’s neck pretty easily. This may hurt them or possibly cause death. To stop this from happening, pin your drapes and hide them out of sight.
Take your cat in for regular vet exams. Your vet will provide your cat with the shots it needs to prevent disease. Your vet can also check the overall health of your cat. Try to stay with the same veterinarian throughout your pet’s life. That way, the doctor will be familiar with the history of your cat.
If you have a male cat, it is important to have him neutered before he goes into heat. When male cats start maturing, they will begin to spray around the house. It smells like ammonia and is hard to remove. Having your male cat neutered can help to prevent this from happening.
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.
If your cat is picky about drinking water, invest in a cat fountain. These battery operated or plug in fountains keep water circulating and aerated. Many cats prefer this. A cat fountain will help keep your cat out of the kitchen sink and the toilet. It will also help prevent your cat from pawing water onto the floor in search of fresh water.
Deter your cat from chewing on inappropriate things by using bitter apple. If the cat likes to chew on cords, its best to cover them as best you can. If you have any loose cords around your home, try stuffing them into a used paper towel roll. Personal electronic devices should be stored when not needed to keep their cords out of reach.
Keeping your cat off of the counter can be difficult. Cats like heights and like to see everything happening around them. It helps to provide your cat with certain high spaces where it is allowed. For example, give them a cat tower nearby.
Make your own enclosed litter box from a large tote box with a lid. Use a coffee can lid as a pattern to cut a door in one side of the tote. Place the coffee can lid fairly high up on the side of the tote. Trace around it with a permanent marker. Cut out the circle with tin snips or a box cutter. Add litter. Put on the lid.
Cats love to much on grass and plants such as catnip. There are plants however that are poisonous to cats. Chrysanthemums and holly are beautiful and common around the Holidays, but can be very toxic to cats. Other plants that are toxic or lethal include lilies, rhubarb and daffodils.
Children usually take well to cats, but if you have a small child, you may need to provide some instruction. Teach your kids how to treat a cat. Demonstrate the proper way to pick up a cat and what they can do with the cat. Cats have weaker bones than dogs and need more gentle treatment.
When you purchase a kitten for your child, set rules and boundaries beforehand. Tell your kids which rooms the cat is allowed in. If you’re raising an indoor cat, inform your kids that the cat can’t go outside. Clearly explaining the rules will limit future mishaps.
When something seems amiss with your feline friend, speak with other cat owners. You may wish to deal with it alone, but you may need advice from other cat owners. Participate in online discussion boards for cat owners, or pick up the telephone and speak with your vet.
Purchase good 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. Try to avoid foods that consist of corn, or other non-protein elements. Cats are carnivores and must have a lot of animal protein for proper nutrition and better health.
Understand your cat’s sounds. Meowing is a form of communication, often for food or to get your attention. There are other sounds, though. Hissing usually indicates fear or anger, so you should stay away. Cats also make certain sounds when they see prey. This often sounds like a chirp. Purring may indicate contentment, but sometimes it means nervousness.
Provide safe and engaging entertainment for your cat at all times. Even if you cannot be in the house with your pet, you should ensure that it has access to toys and other diversions. Sometimes we perceive that cats are lazy animals, but that doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy playing to pass the time. This is especially important if your cat is alone in your house for long periods of time.
Most cats are prone to wax build up and ear mites. You can purchase a solution at the pet store that will clean out your cats ears. You put a couple drops in each of your cats ears and then hold them closed while massaging them for a minute. When you let go, stand back or you will get covered in the liquid when your cat shakes its head.
After reading this article, you are probably going to be better at taking care of your cat. Try each tip out, to see what your cat responds best to. You can always find out more, so make sure you keep learning about cats so that yours always feels taken care of.
