Cats and humans have lived together through the ages. There are many different novels and plays that have cats as the main theme. A cat is a very intriguing animal but you will be able to form a strong bond with this pet. The advice below is priceless.
Female cats need to be spayed as soon as they reach the proper age. You may keep your cat inside, but she could still slip outside and become pregnant. Spaying a cat can prevent this.
Kitty claws can be quite destructive to fabric and furnishings. If you have a cat that is wreaking havoc, buy a scratching post. Teach them to scratch on it instead of your belongings. It might not happen overnight, but the problem should eventually stop.
A lot of cat owners have a hard time keeping their cats off the counter. Cats have a natural predilection for staking out a nice elevated place where they have a good view of their surroundings. Therefore, you should create high areas for resting. If you place a cat tower around the kitchen area, they may be less likely to lay on your counters.
Grooming is something that most cats do all the time. In long-haired cats, hairballs can result from excess grooming. To fix this problem, you can try buying a new food. They help the hair pass through by breaking it down.
Male cats can develop crystals that form in their urine, so prevent this with the right food. Your cat will experience considerable pain when he has to pass these crystals, and it’s not an easy (or cheap) problem for your veterinarian to fix. Choose foods low in magnesium for your cat. Go over the label carefully. Foods that contain fish usually have more magnesium.
Before you consider buying a kitten for your children, make sure clear boundaries are set before you bring the kitten home. Let your children know which areas of the house are off-limits for the cat. Make sure the kids know if your cat is indoors only. Make sure your children understand the rules from the get go.
If your cat constantly meows, you need to try to figure out why. After some time, you’ll understand why your cat purs or meows based on what she wants. It may be a sign your cat needs food, or needs to be let outdoors. When you understand what each type of behavior indicates, you can improve your relationship.
Watch kittens around kids. Children under 5 years of age should not be alone with the pet. The maturity level isn’t there when it comes to your child. As your child matures, carefully consider whether a small pet is safe with them.
Cats feel safest in an elevated location. Make sure your cat has a safe place to play. Placing a shelf or two up high will not take up too much space in your home. For an extra treat, place a blanket or small bed up there too.
You shouldn’t be training your cats for litter box use. Cats instinctively understand what to do and teaching is not required. Many people believe that taking your cat to the box and rubbing their paws in the litter is a good idea, but it may actually traumatize them.
Brush your cat daily. Brushing spreads natural oils through the fur and also stimulates circulation. Furthermore, it helps reduce all the loose hair. This can keep hairballs at bay because this can choke up a cat and also build up in its stomach.
Never punish a cat for a mess outside of its box. The major cause of such accidents is usually because the litter box hasn’t been given the proper care. If your pet is punished, you won’t do anything but make it afraid of you.
Take time to train your cat to go into a car carrier. Cats do not respond in the same way dogs do to punishment. They like responding to encouragement better. Put their favorite toy and blanket in a carrier. Leave it somewhere they always go to. In time, the cat will head inside and be happy. Once the cat is comfortable with the carrier, you can transport it easily.
Are you overwhelmed by cat hair? Since cats shed so much, you must remember to brush them regularly. How often and how much your cat sheds can give you a good idea of how often he need to be brushed. This will make your cat’s coat nice and smooth.
Your cat will thrive if allowed to say indoors. Studies have proven that cats who live most of their life indoors live longer than outdoor cats. Daily exercise with you doesn’t need to create risks for other cat attacks or diseases from the wild.
Do not give human medications to cats. The vet is the only one who should do the prescribing – not you. When you make the mistake of giving any type of human medication to your cat, it can kill them or cause them some other type of grave medical misfortune.
Cats get some illnesses that we do. You will be able to tell when the cat isn’t well. Have a vet look at your cat if you suspect this. Your vet can often rule out the possibility of serious conditions.
Be aware that the holidays, with all the excitement and bustle, may not be the right time to present your child with the gift of a cat. Let your child select their next pet in the store.
A cat usually believes it is in charge of your house. Bu, if you make the most of these tips, you should be able to get your cat to understand who really owns the house. Although cats are stubborn, they can be incredible pets. The advice found here will assist you in raising a great cat.