Cats are probably the most amazing creatures you can have as pets. Cats are something that a lot of homes have and they also are outside living on the streets in some cases. Sharing your home with a cat can be quite the challenge. These critters can be stubborn little guys and can pose a big challenge to understanding all their little nuances.
Make sure your cat is regularly visiting the vet for checkups. Understand that cats require vaccinations in order to stay healthy, and the veterinarian needs to regularly check for any health problems. Your cat will be more comfortable if you continue using the same vet. This way they will know your cat’s history the best.
Play with your cat using proper cat toys. Cats love toys that help them feel like the predators that they think they are. Try sticking with toys that help them dance around or jump. This can also help them use extra energy by pouncing on toys instead of people’s feet.
Give your new cat some space. Moving to a new home can be stressful on a cat, especially one who is no longer a kitten. To help them adjust, give them a quiet place that they can call their own, such as a spare bathroom or laundry room. This gives them a safe space they can retreat to until they have become comfortable with exploring the whole house. Depending on the cat, this process may take a few days up to a month or more.
Cats love to much on grass and plants such as catnip. There are plants however that are poisonous to cats. Chrysanthemums and holly are beautiful and common around the Holidays, but can be very toxic to cats. Other plants that are toxic or lethal include lilies, rhubarb and daffodils.
Keep the litter box clean. Cats are naturally very clean animals, and a dirty litter box will have your cat looking for alternative places to relieve himself. Cats also value their privacy, so try to locate the box in an area that does not get a lot of foot traffic.
Cats are generally nocturnal. The result is that cats prefer to be more active during the night. If your kittens are keeping you awake into the middle of the night, close the door to your bedroom. This will keep them from pouncing on you and trying to play in the middle of the night.
Some male cats get urinary crystals, but this is preventable with proper diet. 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 a cat food with low magnesium content. Read the label on any food you choose. You will notice that fish-based foods and products are higher in levels of magnesium than anything sourced from poultry.
Get your cat sprayed and neutered to prevent diseases and infections that form in the reproductive system. This can also help reduce the chance for overpopulation in the country, as just one male who is not neutered can produce up to half a million offspring over the course of his life.
The chances are good that your cat will come running for their favorite treat. There are many different recipes out there specifically for homemade cat treats. This is a fun way to spoil your cat. There is also the benefit of knowing what exactly your cat is consuming, to ensure that it is healthy for them.
High quality cat food is important to your cat. Ensure that the food your cat eats is very high in protein. The foods to avoid are those with a large amount of corn and low amounts of protein. Cats are carnivores and need animal protein to stay healthy.
Ensure that your new cat is spayed or neutered. This is important even if your cat will not be outdoors or around cats of the opposite gender. Studies show that spayed cats are less vulnerable to uterine, mammary, and ovarian cancer. Neutering your male cat decreases his risk of developing prostate cancer. Another benefit of neutering is that your cat will not feel compelled to mark his territory by spraying.
There is more care to consider with long-haired cats. That hair will truly get everywhere! Don’t get such a cat unless you are prepared for the extra commitment they take over regular cats. Additionally, consider that longer-haired cats are more likely to have issues with hairballs.
When your cat has kittens, it can be tempting to get rid of them as soon as possible, but you should wait a reasonable amount of time. A kitten needs to learn a few things from mom before going off into the world alone, so give him six weeks to learn all he can.
If you suspect that your cat is pregnant, make an appointment with the vet as soon as you can to make sure that is really the case. There are a few serious illnesses that can mimic pregnancy, so you want to make sure that none of these has affected your cat.
A kitty door is a great way to allow your cat to go in and out, without any help from you. You can also use kitty doors on doors inside your home. This can be great if you have a dog or small children, to keep them out of the room with the litter box.
Avoid using phenol-containing chemicals if you have cats. The chemical is most often found in pine cleaners. The smell is offensive to cats, and prolonged exposure can lead to liver problems.
When you are looking to finally adopt a new kitten, but don’t want to spend big bucks on an expensive bloodline, you should investigate your local shelters. Most animal shelters offer dogs and cats that need a home badly, regardless of their heritage or costs.You may be able to find a similar cat with a different cost.
Getting the upper hand with the cat will get easier after following this advice. It is possible to train a cat. While cat’s are harder to train than dogs, they are generally more well-mannered by nature.
