Are you a fan of cats? Many people are fans, as these cute and lovable creatures give people many reasons to enjoy them. If you’ve ever thought about owning a cat, then you’ve come to the right place. This article can give you some good advice that will help you raise a cat.
It is always important to take your cat to the veterinarian for regular checkups. The vet will be able to provide your cat with needed vaccinations and any medications it requires. Veterinarians also keep tabs on your cat’s overall health and diagnose any problems they find. Try using one veterinarian consistently. You won’t have to worry that the vet won’t have all of your cat’s medical records.
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.
Do not allow your cat to get an electrical shock. Spray them with bitter apple, and they will stay away. If this does not work, make sure you cover the cords. If you have loose electrical cords, you can bundle them up and stow them away in a cardboard tube (think toilet paper or paper towel rolls). Any electronic item not in use should be stored away where the cat can’t get to it.
Never have your cat declawed. Many people misunderstand declawing, thinking it is the simple removal of a cat’s nail. This is not true. In fact, the veterinarian must remove the top knuckle along with the claw during the procedure. This can result in arthritis pain later in life and many behavior problems, such as biting. There are many alternatives from scratching posts to glue-on claw caps that can protect your belongings from a cat’s claws without resorting to such a harsh surgical solution.
An inexpensive rubber welcome mat helps keep cat food off your floor. This is also a great tool to keep your cat from tracking litter out of the box. Black rubber mats cost about three dollars at dollar stores. Put your cat food dish on one and your litter box on another.
If your cat tends to be antisocial and anxious with company, try giving it a catnip toy a few hours before company arrives. Many cats become very mellow when exposed to catnip. Even if your cat does not want to socialize after catnip exposure, it will probably be happier and less anxious.
If your cat takes all the ornaments off the Christmas tree, don’t fight it. Begin collecting attractive cat toys and unbreakable ornaments to decorate the tree next year. Be sure not to decorate with potentially dangerous items like tinsel and garlands. Tinsel is a choking hazard for cats and garlands can cause strangulation.
Take your cat to the vet periodically. A lot of cat owners tend to avoid the vet because it can be harder to get a cat ready to go anywhere she does not want to go! It is also easy to avoid the vet because cats seem so self-reliant. However, it’s smart to get your cat to the vet to avoid any problems.
You can sometimes find better prices for cat medication online than getting it from your veterinarian. Sometimes you might not have time to wait for an online order to arrive however, such as if your cat needs an immediate antibiotic or emergency treatment. If you regularly need to buy pet medication, you can get a savings of up to 50 percent online.
Handle your kitten often. The longer your cat is handled as a kitten, the more readily they will accept being handled when they are grown, especially around their paws. This is important as all cats will have to visit the vet occasionally, and this process is much easier and less stressful if the cat is accustomed to being handled. It will also make grooming and nail trimming much easier.
Cats love to climb trees. This is a natural tendency, that can be hard for some indoor cats to control. If you find that your cat is literally climbing up your curtains, it is time to invest in a cat tower. This will provide your cat a place to climb, in a safer and less destructive way.
Getting a second cat is usually beneficial to both, but you have to give the two cats a few weeks to get acclimated to each other. Expect to see your cats avoid each other, hiss, or even confront one another. Eventually, they will come to tolerate and actually enjoy being together.
When a dog wags it’s tail, it’s telling you that it is excited or happy. Cats wag their tails, but definitely not for the same reason. Cats wag tails if they sense conflict, or if they’re trying to decide whether to fight or flee. It’s especially important to keep an eye on your cat’s tail when you’re holding it. If you see it start to move, it’s time to put your pet down before you wind up getting scratched!
Cats are one of the best pets on earth. They funny, warm, soft, and very playful. Raising a cat should be pretty easy after reading the advice listed here. There’s only one step that you have to take, and that’s getting the actual cat. Have fun taking care of your new furry friend.
