When it comes to pets, there is no animal like a cat. They are wonderful pets because they are smart, independent, and very loving. But, it’s not so simple to take proper care of a cat. You should go over this article to learn more about the different things you can do to take care of your cat.
Create a warm bed for an outdoor or feral cat by lining a banana box with a thick layer of newspaper. Cut a piece of Mylar to fit the bottom of the box. Put another layer of newspaper on top. Add a warm blanket. Place the whole box inside a dog house or under a porch where it can’t get wet.
Cats will try to get into many different crevices. If they have a collar, this can be a safety issue if they get stuck. Put a breakaway collar on instead. This can save all “nine” of your cat’s lives.
Spay your cat as soon as she is old enough. Even though your cat stays indoors all the time, there might be that one time she slips through the door when she goes into heat, which results in a litter of unexpected kittens. Unless you want the hassle of getting rid of kittens, spaying is the best option for your cat.
If you absolutely must bathe a cat, set everything up in advance. Set up two tubs large enough to dunk a cat. Fill them with comfortably warm water. Set your open bottle of cat shampoo, a heavy towel, and a secure pet carrier close by. Wear heavy rubber gloves. Grasp your cat by the scruff of the neck. Dunk, shampoo and scrub quickly in one tub. Dunk to rinse in the second tub. Wrap the cat securely in the towel and place in the carrier to dry.
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.
Find a litter that your cat enjoys. Different litters have different smells and textures, so help your cat to find a litter that he is generally comfortable with using. Cats generally like to keep things the same though, so don’t experiment too often or your cat may avoid the litter box.
Make sure that there are enough litter boxes in your home for all of the cats that are staying there. It is optimal to have one litter box for each cat. If you live in a home that has a lot of floors, there should be one on each floor for each cat.
Sometime a second cat will calm a single destructive cat. This seems counter-intuitive, asking for twice the destruction, but a second cat can give them both something to do. Introduce them slowly and expect some initial squabbles. After a while, though, the cats will usually get along and the destructive behavior will subside.
Buy a pet drinking fountain to prevent dehydration. Cats are attracted to running water, so a pet drinking fountain may help to encourage your cat to drink more. Proper hydration can cure and prevent a large number of feline health problems. Therefore, a pet drinking fountain could improve the health of your cat and reduce vet bills.
Your kittens don’t want dirty mouths either, so take a toothbrush and clean those gums everyday before breakfast. Without proper brushing, cats can catch diseases, infections, and suffer serious side effects. A few minutes daily keeps these teeth healthy, strong, and sparkling. You should ask a veterinarian how to properly brush your cat’s teeth.
There are things you can eat that your cat cannot. These include garlic, grapes, green tomatoes and onions. If your cat eats these foods, he may become sick or even die. Even a commonly fed food, milk, can make your kitty ill.
Don’t give cats human medication. If you have a sick cat it is best to take them to someone who specializes in animal sickness, such as a veterinarian. Giving your cat your medication can actually cause your pet serious harm.
Are hairballs posing a serious problem for your cat, and additional brushing does not help to reduce them? Mix in a few pinches of pumpkin into your cat’s food. Mixing the pumpkin up with water drained from a can of tuna (again, one teaspoon’s worth) may also help. There are cat foods that have anti-hairball components in them, like extra fiber, that can help.
Switch up cat food flavors. Cats can be notoriously picky eaters. This can be frustrating if a flavor is out of stock or, worse, discontinued. Don’t let your cat get into the habit of eating one food and only one food. Make sure there’s some healthy variety in your cat’s diet.
Make sure to feed your diet pet food specifically made for cats. While a bag of dog food might be cheaper pound for pound, it will not contain the necessary vitamins, minerals and especially protein content to keep your cats healthy. Giving a cat dog food on a regular basis can also cause kidney failure and other serious illnesses.
When you are having social gatherings at your home, do not confine your cat to an area alone. This is your cat’s home, and they should always feel welcome here. Being around others will only strengthen their social skills, which is great if you plan on having a child or a new cat come into the home.
Be careful about feeding your cat people food. While people food is quite appealing to cats, some can be dangerous for them. Even if a particular food item is not dangerous, it can cause your cat to put on extra weight, thereby harming him over the long run. Stick to a cat food diet for best results.
Cats are unique creatures that make wonderful pets in the home if you take a little time to learn how to care for them properly. Refer to the tips included here often. Use what you’ve learned to enjoy your time with your cat.
