Cats are magical critters. Cats are smart and curious, but also cute and cuddly. This combination makes them excellent domestic animals. It takes work to be a good cat owner. Read on for a ton of helpful tips on caring for your cat, and use what you will learn to provide the best home for your feline friend.
Keep your cat away from your drapery cords. Cats can potentially strangle themselves on these cords so it is important to protect your cat from this potential danger. This could cause injury or death. Make sure drapery cords are kept back to avoid this.
Groom your cat. You should comb and/or brush them on a regular basis. This will keep them sterile and aesthetically pleasing. This will also reduce things like shedding and hairballs because it keeps them from having extra hair. A well-groomed feline looks great on their own, but also helps keep a home well-groomed too.
It is always important to take your cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups. Cats require special shots to prevent illness and the vet can check their overall health. It is best to always take your cat to the same veterinarian. This helps make sure your vet knows your cat's history.
Cats enjoy getting into spaces that are small. If they have a collar on, this can be dangerous. Therefore, use a breakaway collar that will come undone whenever it's being pulled very tightly. This can help to save a couple of your cat's nine lives.
Don't use dog portions for your cat. Cats often have negative reactions to dog products. This is especially true of flea products. Your cat can die when exposed to flea prevention items made for dogs. Keep them separated by at least one door for a few hours after treatment.
Your cat probably spends a lot of time grooming himself to perfection. If your cat is long haired, this may cause hairballs. Buy special food in order to help that problem. Certain cat foods are formulated to lower the amount of hairballs.
A proper diet for male cats will help prevent kidney problems that cause them to pass crystals with their urine. Passing crystals is very painful for your cat, and the vet's bill will be painful for you. Choose foods low in magnesium for your cat. Check the ingredients list on the label. Poultry products are typically lower in magnesium than fish products.
Set a tablecloth under your cat's food bowl. It's a common practice for cats to eat their food on the side of their bowl. That means you will have to tidy up the food left beside the cat bowl. The best thing for you to do is to have a place mat underneath the cat's bowl.
Cats enjoy being in high places. Allow them the space they need to feel safe while checking their world out. If you don't want a large cat tree in your home, a sturdy shelf cleared of breakables will work in a pinch. The cat will especially enjoy it if you put a blanket on top.
Litter Box
Don't try to show your feline how to go in the litter box. This comes quite naturally to them and is not something that is learned. Don't try to force them into the litter box by rubbing their paws or face in it.
Never punish a cat for a mess outside of its box. If this happens, it may be because you have not kept the box as clean as you should. It isn't fair to punish a cat for wanting a clean area to do its business, and you don't want to make the cat wary of you.
Feeding your cat different types of food helps ensure they don't get finicky. If they eat the same food all the time without changing it, that may be the only one they'll eat later on.
Cats are unique creatures that make wonderful pets in the home if you take a little time to learn how to care for them properly. Study the tips you learned here. Then put your new knowledge to use.