Cats are amazing animals and some of the most interesting domesticated friends humans can have. Cats are definitely a very common pet and are in every major city. Living with cats indoors is a big challenge. They’re powerful, smart, and agile, which makes them hard-headed. You’ll need advanced techniques to deal with them.
Avoid eye contact to make friends with a cat. Ever wonder why cats seem drawn to the person who likes cats the least? The answer lies in cat body language. To cats, staring is “rude” and can be considered a challenge. Looking away shows that you respect their space and are not going to be a threat. So next time you are looking to meet a new feline friend, look away and let them approach you.
Whenever you take your cat anywhere, use a cat carrier. No matter how gentle your cat is, it could become frightened. If this happens, it could bolt off and be quickly lost, injured or killed. At the vet’s office, your cat will be safe from unpredictable animals if you use a pet carrier.
Cats will often devote most of their time to grooming. Long hair encourages hairballs. If your cat needs assistance with this problem, consider a special diet. The are specially formulated cat foods that help reduce the instances of hairballs, which is not only good for your cat, but also good for you and your feet in the middle of the night.
Avoid the chance that your male cat will develop crystals in his system that will come out in his urine by feeding a high quality diet. It is painful for your cat to pass these crystals and the cost to have this treated by a vet is high. Food with a low magnesium content will help. Always read labels. You will notice that fish-based foods and products are higher in levels of magnesium than anything sourced from poultry.
There needs to be set boundaries with your children and a new kitty. Make sure the children know where the cat is and is not allowed to roam. If your have an indoor-only cat, be sure the kids understand that the cat is not to go outside. By making the rules well known to your children, your children will understand what is and is not allowed.
While children should help with the care and responsibilities of a cat, leave the litterbox duties to the grownups or older children. A cat’s litterbox can carry diseases and parasites. Since younger children may not follow proper handwashing procedures, this job is better left to those older and more responsible.
If your cat has to have a surgery such as being spayed or neutered, they will need rest when they come home. It is hard to keep a cat from jumping up on furniture, but necessary to avoid pulling out stitches. Designate an area in your house for your cat to recuperate where they will be less likely to injure themselves, until they are healed enough to roam free.
Most cats love to lounge right on your lap. As cozy as this can be, it is not always convenient. If your cat has a favorite spot, such as on your lap at the computer it can be hard to get things done. Getting a pet bed for your cat and perching it right next to your chair can help satisfy your cats need to be near you.
Cats’ curiosity often puts them in risky situations. Something as simple as a necklace, window pull, or phone cords can cause your pet to become injured or even killed. These items should be bound securely so that they are not a source of temptation for your inquisitive pet. Many childproofing aids work just as well for your kitten.
Do not leave wet cat food in the bowl for longer than twenty minutes after your cat is done eating it. After you see your kitten is done for the time being, throw out the rest of the food and make sure to wash their bowl thoroughly with light soap and water.
When taking your cat or kitten to the vet, or to other places that involve a car ride, it is wise to socialize him to this situation. Try taking your cat, always in a carrier, on short rides, adding time to the ride every so often. Getting your pet used to the car can mean the end of his fear and frustration, as well as yours.
Do you feel as if there is cat hair all over the place? Cats do a lot of shedding, and it helps to brush them. The more a cat sheds, the moor they should be properly brushed. It’s also a great aid to keeping the cat’s coat as pristine as possible.
Clean your cat’s litter box. Cats will use litter boxes on instinct if they know where to find it. Let your cat go naturally and don’t manually force it to go by putting it in the box or pushing it to scratch the litter. Keep the box in a private place, scoop its contents on a daily basis and give it a periodic wash.
If you were home all the time when you first adopted your cat and are now going to be out of the home, your cat might get lonely without you there. Get another cat if you would like to be certain your cat isn’t bored.
You’ll be able to run circles around your cat once you have read these and other cat care tips. Before long, your cat will be behaving like an angel. Although it may be difficult to train a cat, in actuality they are just as likely to be well-behaved and trained as your typical dog.
