Helping You To Better Understand Cats In The Following Article
Cats have been a friend to humans for thousands of years. They’ve been the subject of poems, movies, and even Broadway musicals. Cats think that they are independent and in charge at all times. The following tips will help you care for, and live successfully with, your cat.
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. If your cat is going to be one that stays inside, let the kids know that it’s not allowed outside. Make sure your children understand the rules from the get go.
Is there a dog in your home, as well as a cat? Dogs will eat a cat’s food any time they’re given the chance. Because of this, you should make the place that your cat food is in higher up so that the dog cannot reach it. This will also prevent squabbles between them.
Speak with other cat owners about any issues you may be having. Although you may want to go it alone, it can be helpful to seek advice from other people that have experience owning cats. There are also forums on the Internet which cater to cat parents.
You cannot teach a cat to use a litter box. This is a natural instinct that cannot be taught. It’s not a good idea to rub your cats paws in litter. Some people think this is the way to train. It isn’t.
If adding an additional cat to your home, give the cats a couple of weeks to get comfortable with each other. They may hide from one another, hiss, or even swat each other. Cats usually learn to enjoy having a companion or at least put up with another one in their home.
Your cat needs good play time. Playing is an activity that is very popular with mammals of any age, and this includes cats and people. Even older cats love a little play, just not as rough. Spend some time enjoying your cat.
Litter Box
Really consider where you place the litter box. It might be tempting to have it in a hidden area where you can’t see it or smell it. This litter box must stay in an easy-to-find spot for your cat. You want your cat to feel comfortable using their litter box. The area around the litter box should be comfortable and warm to walk on, so make adjustments as needed.
Every cat should have a collar with his name on it, the owner’s name, and a phone number. Even if you have a house cat, there is a chance that he or she may get out. If your cat does get out, make sure that it can get home.
There are certain human foods that you should never feed to cats. In part, these include garlic, onions and grapes. These foods will cause indigestion or much worse for your cat. In addition, milk can also upset your cat’s stomach.
Never give your pet any drugs that were designed for use by humans. If they have health issues, see a vet and give them what they provide. Pets that have taken human medications face serious injury or worse.
Cats can get the same sorts of illnesses humans get. Your cat lives in your household so you are more aware that it is not feeling well than anyone else. If you think something is wrong, visit the vet. That way the vet can rule out other more serious conditions.
If you are worried about your cat contracting rabies, catching fleas or being exposed to fungus, you should not let him go outdoors. Although an indoor cat can be affected by a few of these things, they will be more prone to experiencing these issues if they are outside a lot.
You should reconsider a choice of providing table scraps to your cat. People food is not an appropriate diet for cats, both because of the ingredients and the manner in which food is cooked. If you want to make a special treat for your cat, it will like a small amount of eggs, beef or chicken. You don’t need to overfeed a cat, though, or he can become overweight.
You might think that bathing your cat will improve the condition of its fur. But unlike dogs, bathing is not often necessary, unless the cat has gotten himself into a little bit of trouble somehow. Cats have barbed tongues, which are very effective at removing oil and dirt from their coats. Cats are finicky about cleanliness.
Ensure you always give your cat flea and tick medicine. There are many monthly drops that are quite effective. They stop fleas from making your pet’s life miserable. Purchase a flea and tick medication made especially for cats.
Don’t get a cat during the holidays, as things are too hectic to give your pet proper attention. Rather, it makes more sense to take the youngster to select the pet.
The best thing for your cat is to neuter or spay it. Cats are curious by nature. Your cat will attempt to get out even if it is always inside. When your cat escapes for just a minute, they may impregnate another or become pregnant themselves. Thousands of animals die every year because of irresponsible pet owners.
When the weather turns treacherous, remember to bring your cat indoors. Rainy days and periods of deep cold are especially problematic. Your cat could panic in such weather and put itself in danger. This will increase the chances of you losing your cat.
Many cats just can’t pass up a house plant. This can be a problem for you and for your cat if it’s a poisonous plant. This also means that you could end up with cat poop in your pots! Even putting a plant up high won’t help. A better idea is to hang any plants from the ceiling so your cat cannot get to it.
Your pet may think it’s the boss of you, or even the boss of the entire world. However, if you use the tips provided, they will soon learn who is really in charge. By establishing the ground rules, you can relax and enjoy the benefits of owning a lovable cat.