A lot of people think that cats are not as affectionate as dogs, but that is simply not true. Your cat can be a wonderful friend to you, and any cat owner knows that. You just need to know how to properly care for this wonderful animal. Here are some effective ways to care for your cat.
If you have multiple cats, save money on cat dishes by checking your local dollar store for salsa dishes. You can usually get a package of three for a dollar. These are sturdy and come in pretty colors. They look nice in your kitchen, and they are just the right size for cat food.
Your cat needs a collar and tag if it goes outside. A lost cat is much easier to locate if they are properly tagged. Even if the tag just has your phone number, it can be the difference between your pet coming home and being lost forever.
Keep dangerous chemicals away from your cat. Just like children, cats need to be kept away from items like cleaning materials since they could harm them. These chemicals are basically poison and if your cats consumes some or gets some on them, they could get very sick, get burned, or possibly die. Store these items in a place where your cat can’t find them or use a child-proof lock on their location.
An indoor cat who gets a taste of the outdoors will forever want to go outside. If you know your cat will always be an indoor cat, do your best to keep them from sneaking out. You can try to train your cat to stay in your yard when you are outside.
An inexpensive rubber welcome mat helps keep cat food off your floor. This is also a great tool to keep your cat from tracking litter out of the box. Black rubber mats cost about three dollars at dollar stores. Put your cat food dish on one and your litter box on another.
Whenever you take your cat anywhere, use a cat carrier. No matter how gentle your cat is, it could become frightened. If this happens, it could bolt off and be quickly lost, injured or killed. At the vet’s office, your cat will be safe from unpredictable animals if you use a pet carrier.
Is your cat constantly destroying your toilet paper? Make sure that your bath tissue is stopping it from rolling over the top. You can also make or buy a toilet paper cover. These covers are not expensive and will save you money if your furry friend insists on playing with your tissue.
Do you have dogs and cats? That dog will really love stalking (and eating) that cat food. Therefore, your cat’s food bowl should be placed in a high location that is out of your dog’s reach. This is a good way to keep your pets from fighting over food and water.
When bringing a new kitten home, take it slow. It is tempting for children to want to play with the new addition to your home immediately. But the young cat will likely be scared. Give the cat time to acclimate itself to your home and to get comfortable with everyone.
If you have a kitten, a very important part of raising him is to get him socialized. This means making sure he is comfortable in many situations. These include: handling by humans, grooming and nail care, vet visits, and other social situations. The time to do this is between ten and twelve weeks of age.
Understand that your cat is easily influenced by its surroundings. Cats have superior memories and will usually retain training for a lifetime. Conversely, they also retain frightening experiences and it takes them a long time to get over their fears. Be encouraging with your cat and avoid situations that scare them.
If your cat begins defecating or urinating too frequently, it’s time to see the vet. Cats may show this behavior if they develop an infection of the urinary tract, or some other health issue. A quick course of antibiotics can head off dangerous complications if you get your cat diagnosed and treated early enough.
Keep your cat’s vaccinations and checkups up to date with the vet. Kids need shots, and so do cats. You love your cat, so take the best care of him as possible.
If you notice your cat is not using the litter box, try moving it to a new location. The best place for a litter box is in a secure, quiet area. Cats feel vulnerable when they’re using it, so they want it to be in a place where they feel safe. Areas away from high activity are a good choice, such as basements and laundry rooms.
Vet bills for your cat can be pretty costly over time. A great idea is to order your cat medication from an online website to save money. Some companies will express ship to your door. For medications you use frequently, this is a great choice.
Do not give your cat any products that were made to get rid of fleas or worms if you know that she is pregnant. While you want to get rid of these pests once and for all, it is not worth placing your cat’s health in any type of jeopardy.
Caring for a cat can take some time and patience, as cats will typically express pleasure and displeasure about the way things are going. However, the information here can help you to care for your cat in an effective way that keeps you both happy. Your friendship can last for years to come.
