Although cats can be great pets, they can be quite expensive to take care of. There are many things you will need to pay for, such as cat litter, food, toys and trips to the vet. The following are a few tips that should help you to find more enjoyable, less expensive ways to care for your cat.
A heated tile can be positioned beneath the bed of a mature cat. Allow a terra cotta tile to heat in an oven for 15 minutes at 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep this underneath your cat’s resting space for extra warmth. When the tile cools down, change it out for a fresh, warm one.
Be sure you have a vet that your cat sees regularly so it stays healthy. Your cat needs to get a checkup about once every year, or more if there are issues that come up. Cats should go to a vet immediately if they have any conditions, health problems, or injuries that need to be tended to right away.
Deter cats from shocking themselves on electrical wires by spraying them with bitter apple. Keep your cords covered if you feel like your cat is hellbent on chewing them. Bundle electrical cords together inside a tube. Any electronic item not in use should be stored away where the cat can’t get to it.
It can be hard to make your cat stay off the counter. Cats enjoy heights, as they can monitor events from their perch. One good way to beat this problem is by giving your kitty some safe, high perches throughout the house. Having a cat tower near your kitchen will keep them off your counters.
Get a microchip for your cat. You may not have had trouble with your cat getting loose previously, but it can happen at any time by accident. Collars or tags can identify your cat, but cats can wiggle out of those, and they are also at risk of getting hung up on something. You can use a microchip instead; you can store your contact information in the chip and it will not bother your cat. Nearly all veterinarians and shelters now have scanners capable of reading the information on these chips, and since they are under the skin, there is no chance of the chip getting lost.
If you take your cat with you when you travel, be mindful of their ears. Although you may love singing loudly to your favorite songs while driving, your cat would probably prefer softer sounds. If your cat seems upset or agitated, turn down the music and speak calmly to him.
While usually cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Make sure your kids understand how cats should be handled. Teach them what are appropriate activities and how to gently touch it. Cats don’t have strong bones like dogs do, so they need to be treated gently.
Be very careful about allowing children to be alone with a kitten. A child under five should not be left alone with a pet. They’re not really mature enough to know how dangerous a kitten can be. As your child matures, carefully consider whether a small pet is safe with them.
Cats have a love affair with heights. To keep your cat healthy, provide your cat with a high place to sit. If you’d rather not invest in a cat tree, simply use a large shelf or bookcase without any breakable items. To make it really special, put a bed or blanket up there too.
Litter Box
You don’t want to punish a cat if they do their business outside of their litter box. Often, this happens when the litter box is dirty. The cat will be fearful of you if you punish it.
Give high quality canned food to your pet cat. While dry food is less costly, the canned food has added benefits. It has water content, which is good for cats with bladder issues. It’s much easier for older cats to chew it as well. Speak with your veterinarian, but keep this tip in mind.
If a cat urinates often or in odd places, it should probably go see the vet. This may be a symptom of an infection of the urinary tract or another health problem in your cat. Most of the time, these conditions can be resolved with relatively affordable antibiotic treatments.
It’s important for your cat to get plenty of playtime. As a matter of fact, exercise is crucial for all animals. Your old cat will not play as much but will still appreciate the excitement. Take time to have fun with your cat.
If you have a female cat that is in the process of giving birth, make sure you provide her a spacious area. You need to be patient, as it will be three or four hours before all the kittens have been born. If more than five or six hours have passed, and you think that kittens still remain inside, then you must get in touch with your vet.
If your pet is avoiding its litter box, try moving it to a different spot. The best place for a litter box is in a secure, quiet area. Cats feel vulnerable when they’re using it, so they want it to be in a place where they feel safe. A couple of good places to put your cat box are your basement and laundry room.
When a dog wags its tail, the reason is because it is happy for some reason. Cats move their tails for a very different reason. A cat that is flicking its tail is either feeling threatened or predatory and is considering his next move. Likewise, if you are holding your cat, and he suddenly starts to wag his tail, you may need to let him down to avoid swats or scratches to yourself!
Cats are one of many pets that are pricy to care for. Cats require so much attention and care you would swear they are as needy as human children are. You should apply the tips you just read, and do your best to be a responsible cat owner.