Want Ideas On Caring For Cats? Check Out This Article!
Cats have no competition in the animal kingdom and are easily the best pets to keep around the home for several reasons. They’re fun to pet, play with and watch sleep, plus they get rid of mice. Having a cat can help you make sure rodents don’t enter your home.
If you are planning to get a pet cat, be sure to check with your local shelter. They have tons of amazing cats who desperately need a home. When a cat is adopted from an animal shelter it saves its life and it helps control the cat population.
Cats enjoy getting into small spaces. If they have a collar on, this might prove to be a safety risk if they happen to get stuck. A breakaway collar is a good option since it will break if your cat pulls on it. This will allow your cat to live another day if it gets tangled up.
Cats can really scratch up your home. If your couch is starting to look like it’s been put through a shredder, it’s time to invest in a nice scratching post or cat tower. Give them some encouragement and let them know it is okay to scratch that. It doesn’t happen overnight but with some patience, you should be able to save your house from the claws.
It’s very important to get your cat microchipped. You may not have had trouble with your cat getting loose previously, but it can happen at any time by accident. Tags and collars are great, but if a cat escapes them, there’s no guaranteeing they’ll make it home safe and sound. Your important information can all fit nicely on a rice grain sized microchip. The chip will never be lost because it is under the skin and it can easily be read by any shelter or vet.
Male cats can develop crystals that form in their urine, so prevent this with the right food. Passing stones or crystals hurts and can cost you a ton in vet bills if they don’t come out naturally. Feed your cat food that is low in magnesium. Check the label. Products that contain fish are normally much higher in magnesium over ones containing poultry.
Be sure you think about your cat’s ears when traveling. While you may like to crank up the stereo when you go cruising, your pet probably prefers you keep the volume down. Reduce the volume of the music and keep the windows up; let your cat rest!
Though cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Spend time instructing your children on cat care. You should show them everything from how to properly carry the cat to the best ways to play with it. A cat’s bones are not as strong as a dogs, and they should be treated more gently.
Cats do not need to be taught how they should use the cat litter box. This should come naturally for your cat. You cannot teach it to do this. A common misconception is to rub your cats paws into the kitty litter however this isn’t a good idea.
If you wish to add another cat to your home, give it a couple weeks for your old cat and your new cat to grow accustomed to each other. They may swat at each other or hiss; that’s nothing to be concerned about. Eventually, they become used to each other and are comfortable together.
Litter Box
Pay attention if your cat won’t use their litter box. There are many health conditions that can cause your cat to use the restroom in places other than their own litter box. Bladder troubles, kidney ailments, or infections can all cause this sort of behavior. Ask your vet if your cat begins missing the litter box.
If your cat is pregnant, make sure she has plenty of room to give birth. The birth process can last up to four hours, which means you must exercise patience. If you suspect that there are more kittens inside your cat and it has been six hours of labor or more, you should take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.
Dogs will show a lot of enthusiasm through their tail when their owner comes back home. When a cat wags its tail, it means something very different. When a cat is wagging its tail, it’s actually feeling threatened and mulling over the classic question of fight or flight. If you’re holding the cat and their tail begins wagging, they should be put down so that you don’t get scratched or hit.
If you have a cat with frequent hair ball problems, and brushing has provided no relief, the following tips might be useful. Mix about a teaspoon full of pumpkin into your cats’ food. A teaspoon or so of water from a can of tuna can also be mixed in with the pumpkin. Some cat foods also contain a component for anti-hairballs, generally extra fiber, which may resolve the problem.
Overfeeding your cat can dramatically affect its future health. If your cat gets more food than he needs, then he will quickly become obese which can lead to more serious health issues. Be sure they are not only eating balanced food, but that they are also eating appropriate proportions.
While a big dog might look like a better hunter than a small cat, it won’t track pests the way a cat will. Cats are great hunters and can make kills more frequently than dogs at times. Use the tips above to care for your hunter pet.