Famous poet T.S Elliot. Eliot once stated cats are animals which households depend on. He was not entirely wrong in this statement. Happy, healthy cats can make life complete. However, cats can at times be difficult to have around. This advice will make it easier to live a happy life with your cat.
Regular vet checkups for your cat are very important. Your cat requires a variety of vaccines and shots to prevent illness, and it is also important to identify health problems before they become too severe. Try to keep the same vet during the life of your pet. Your veterinarian needs to know about your pet’s history, and your cat will feel more comfortable if you always take her to the same vet.
You shouldn’t ever use products designed to be used on dogs on your cat. Cats usually react negatively to items made especially for dogs. This is particularly true when it comes to flea treatments. Dog flea prevention products will kill your cat. If your dog has been treated for fleas, keep him away from your cat for at least three hours.
As your cat gets older, changes in behavior may signal pain. If your cat doesn’t like to jump or climb any more, it may be in pain. If your cat stops taking care of grooming or stops using its litter box, pain may be the cause. Be sure to have your older cat checked out by your vet if you notice behavior changes.
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 is pregnant, set up a comfortable, safe place for her to have her kittens. A big cardboard box equipped with a pillow and blanket is good. Place it in the back of a closet or other out of the way place. Keep food and water dishes nearby.
Have your cat spayed or neutered. Pet overpopulation is a growing problem, with millions of homeless cats and kittens euthanized every year. Besides the problem of too many kittens and not enough homes, unfixed cats can have a multitude of behavior problems. Males who are not neutered at a young age often start spraying to mark their territory, and females who are allowed to come into heat yowl incessantly as they try to escape to find a mate. Kittens can begin to breed as early as 4 months of age, so get your new kitten spayed or neutered as soon as possible.
Feed your cat a proper diet. Cats are carnivores and have specific dietary needs. Feed them quality cat food that has been approved by AAFCO or the Association of American Feed Control Officials. If you wish to make your cat’s food yourself, make sure you speak with a vet about necessary supplements or specific recipes that your cat needs to eat.
Don’t let your cat’s days pass without stimulation and excitement! Play and exercise are both important for cats’ well-being. Unfortunately, lots of people who own cats neglect this. A bored cat may fall victim to depression, compulsive disorders or issued that can be harmful to their health. Give them toys they can play with, play with them yourself, or at the least give them room to exercise. If you have an indoor cat, offer him a variety of toys, scratching post or objects he can climb on.
Keep an eye on early warning signs of health issues in cats. Cats usually display warning signs if they are struggling with health issues. Some common signs to look out for include eating habit changes, sleeping habit changes, not being able to groom properly, changes in eating habits, changes in sleeping habits, depression, sneezing, increased thirst, watery eyes, changes in behavior, hiding, and vomiting. If they display these symptoms, take them to a vet right away. The sooner you take, them the better.
Male felines tend to get crystals in the urine that can be prevented with proper diet. If they have to pass the crystals it can cause the cat a lot of pain and paying a vet to help with this can cost you a lot of money. Feed your cat food that is low in magnesium. Check the label. You will notice that fish-based foods and products are higher in levels of magnesium than anything sourced from poultry.
Cats are great pets, but their litter boxes can be unsightly and have an odor. If you can’t stand the sight of your litter box, then it is time to go shopping. There are many different styles of litter boxes on the market. Some are even disguised as fake potted plants. Not only does it look better, it controls the smell as well.
Purchase good quality food for your cat. Scrutinize the ingredients closely, and make sure that quality protein sources like chicken, fish and beef are first on the list. Any foods with non-protein sources, such as corn, should be avoided. Understand that your cat needs a lot of animal protein to stay healthy.
Keep track of your feline friend by having the animal microchipped. This small device is implanted beneath the skin between your cat’s shoulder blades. Microchip implantation may sting for a few seconds, but the implant is otherwise unnoticeable and will not cause your pet any discomfort. This chip makes it easier for animal control to locate your cat if it goes missing.
Caring for a cat can be difficult, but it is very gratifying. No matter how active your cat is, there is always room to improve our relationship with your pet. Before long, you’ll be seeing positive changes in your cats.
