There isn't any animal that compares to a cat and they are great pets for several reasons. Not only will they keep you entertained, they also can hunt for pests like rodents that may be terrorizing your home. Cats work to prevent rodents from getting inside to begin with.
Cats can really scratch up your home. If your couch is starting to look like it's been put through a shredder, it's time to invest in a nice scratching post or cat tower. It is much better if your cat uses his claws on that, rather than your furniture. It might take time, but eventually you will see that the damage to your furniture is diminished.
Cats love to play on kitchen counters, and it can be hard to break them of the habit. If your cat is high, he can see everything that is going on. You can control this tendency a bit by making high places in the house that you feel comfortable having your cat utilize. Your cat will not go on your counters if there's a cat tower close to the kitchen.
A microchip will allow you to find your pet if it is lost. Indoor cats could run out your door or jump out the window. A collar and identification tags can help bring your pet back to you. But experts point out that collars that do not snap apart quickly if your cat gets it caught on a branch or even a bush can accidentally strangle your cat. Microchips are very small, approximately as large as a single grain of rice. Although they are small, they can hold your entire contact information. Most organizations that deal with animal care can scan your cat for microchips, and because they are implanted, they won't get lost.
Use care if you have kids and a cat. Children under 5 years of age should not be alone with the pet. Kids of this age aren't old enough to know how dangerous a cat can be. As a kid ages, they can show maturity with handling a little pet.
Cats enjoy high places. Allow them the space they need to feel safe while checking their world out. If you can't afford a cat tree, give the cat an empty shelf of his own. Install a small bed for your cat or a comfortable blanket.
Never reprimand your cat for missing the litter box. Usually, this sort of thing happens when the box isn't being tended to properly. Punishing your cat will just make them afraid of you later on.
Feeding your cat different types of food helps ensure they don't get finicky. Keeping the same kind of food around most of the time makes it to where they only want that specific food.
It is important that your cat always where a collar that identifies them. This will be important even if you have an indoor cat. A naturally curious cat will readily wander out an open door or window. It is a good idea to include your own phone number along with the name and contact number of your veterinarian. This is very important if your pet is likely to get lost or has some medical needs.
If your pet is expecting kittens, be sure she has a spacious area to give birth in. It can take several hours for the process to unfold and all kittens to be born, so be prepared to spend some time with your cat. If the time has surpassed six hours and your cat is not finished, take a trip to your vet.
Litter Box
If your cat will not use the litter box, try placing it at a different spot in your home. A cat's instinct tells him that eliminating puts him in a vulnerable state, so try putting his litter box in a safe, quiet area of the house. For example, your basement, laundry room or other room away from household activity should suffice.
Put a collar on the cat that lists your name, address, and phone number on it. This should be done even with an indoors cat. The animal could get out. Should this occur, your cat can be returned to you or someone can contact you with his whereabouts.
If you have chemicals that contain phenol, make sure that you do not use these around your cat. This chemical is often in Lysol and certain other regular household cleaners. Cats hate the smell of phenol and continuously exposing them to it could cause liver problems later in their lives.
Cats have a heightened sense of smell, and they can detect environmental changes easily. This may cause a problem if you give them a new bed, scratching post or food dish. Don't let this discourage you. As the smell takes on the smell of your home, your cat will warm up to it.
Put sticky tape on furniture. This will prevent your cat from scratching the material. You can find tape specifically made for this at many pet stores. By keeping your furniture covered with tape and getting a scratching post put up, you will get your cat to scratch that instead.
A cat may not be just like a dog, but they are a great addition to a family. Cats have any number of ways to contribute to family life, from providing love and affection to keeping vermin populations down. It's easy to see why so many people have fallen for the company of cats.