In the post adoption phase, many issues arise between cats and families. Getting pets before properly preparing is a disaster. There are many problems that you will still face even if you do your homework. All you can do is research as much as you can and hope for the best.
Drape cords should be kept distant from cats. Keep the cat away from these cords as they tend to form loops when the cat is playing around, and it could accidentally go around their neck and strangle them. This may harm or kill them. It is highly recommended that you keep all drape cords pinned in such a way that the cat can't see them so as to prevent any accidents.
Cats love to get into tight, small spaces. If your cat gets caught on something wearing a traditional collar they could end up hurting their neck trying to break free. A breakaway collar let's go if pulled on tightly. This could save your cat's life!
Get your cat to a vet on a regular basis for the best health possible. They need a check-up and possibly vaccinations. When the cat seems to be acting abnormally, take it to the vet immediately.
Make sure your cat has a collar and tag if outside. Cats can go far from home and without a tag they could become lost forever. The tag should contain your name and number for contact purposes.
Scratching Post
Your furnishings and belongings can easily be ruined by a cat's claws. Buy a scratching post if you need to protect the furniture in your home. You should scold your cat when it scratches your furniture and direct its attention to the scratching post or tower. Eventually it will cause you less of a headache.
Try to avoid your cat from becoming bored each day. Cats require physical activity. A lot of cat owners do not keep their cats busy. If your cat is bored, it might develop a depression, obsessive compulsive behaviors or ruin some of your furniture. Give them lots of space for exercise and plenty of toys they can play with. Indoor cats will appreciate having a structure they can climb on or a dedicated scratching post.
Cats are great pets, but little ones may not understand that they are fragile. Make sure your kids understand how cats should be handled. Demonstrate the proper way to pick up a cat and what they can do with the cat. Cats don't have strong bones like dogs do, so they need to be treated gently.
If you get a small kitten for your children, make sure they understand the rules ahead of time. Tell your kids which rooms the cat is allowed in. If the cat is to be indoors, tell your children not to allow him outside. This will ensure nothing bad happens.
Cats like to be up high. For a truly happy cat, provide a safe place for your cat to survey his surroundings. If you can't afford a cat tree, give the cat an empty shelf of his own. For an additional treat, put a little bed or blanket in there, too.
Litter Box
Never try to teach a cat to use a litter box. This should come naturally for your cat. You cannot teach it to do this. A lot of people think that rubbing a cat's paws in its litter box may help them, but in reality, it can be damaging to them.
Do not discipline your cat if it makes a mess outside its litter box. Usually, this sort of thing happens when the box isn't being tended to properly. Punishing the cat will only make him afraid to be around you in the future.
You cat should get cat food that is of a good quality. Read the ingredient label, and make sure a protein from meat tops the list. Don't choose a food which is mainly corn. Cats are carnivores and their diet should reflect that.
Consider getting your cat a fountain to drink from. Cats like their water to move. Cats prefer to drink water that is streaming. In fact, many cats like drinking from faucets more than from their water bowls. A fountain will allow your cat to have the happiness of drinking from running water.
Make sure your cats always have identification tags on. This will be important even if you have an indoor cat. The lure of an open door or window is very attractive to your curious cat. They should wear a tag with your vet's info as well as your telephone number. This will be important especially if you have a cat with medical issues.
Getting a second cat is usually beneficial to both, but you have to give the two cats a few weeks to get acclimated to each other. Expect to see your cats avoid each other, hiss, or even confront one another. Cats usually learn to enjoy having a companion or at least put up with another one in their home.
Litter Box
If you notice that your cat has stopped using its litter box, you'll want to contact your vet. Abandoning proper litter box habits is often a warning sign of serious health problems in cats. A variety of infections and kidney disease can cause your cat to stay away from the box when they suddenly associate it with pain due to their medical condition. If your cat stops going in the litter box, a call to the vet is in order.
The above advice is helpful for cats of all ages and breeds. There are several concepts involved when you raise a little cat, however, the way these are applied differs from one circumstance to the next. Enjoy your new cat!