If you have a cat, then you’re probably familiar with how much you spend a year on it. There are many expenses associated with cats, including food and medical bills. There are steps you can take to spend less money on the things your cat needs, which you can see in the following article.
If you have drape cords in your home, keep them away from your cats. Keep the cat away from these cords as they tend to form loops when the cat is playing around, and it could accidentally go around their neck and strangle them. This could even choke them to death. Secure your cords so they are out of the way and out of sight.
Cats often view small spaces as a fun challenge. A collar can be a dangerous thing to wear in such a place. Purchase breakaway collars that will give if they are yanked tightly. Purchasing one could be the difference between whether your cat lives or dies when he gets stuck.
To keep your cat healthy and strengthen its bond with you, always set aside lots of play time. Kittens especially need lots of attention, which you can easily give to them through play. Pull a piece of string around for a fun and gentle way to keep a cat entertained for hours!
For a healthier, happier cat choose plain litter over scented litter. Cats like nice, clean, clumping cat litter. Scoop your cats litter box daily and change it completely every three days or so. When you change the box, wash it out with water and dish soap. Don’t waste your money on liners as cats tend to destroy them.
If your cat kicks litter all over the floor, simply use a bigger container. A large, roomy tote with high sides makes a good litter box. A big round tub also makes a good litter box. A restaurant size bus tub is a capacious litter box. Providing higher sides and more space will solve your cat’s litter kicking problem.
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.
Cats appreciate all the affection you can give. Most cats crave the same warmth and companionship they give their owners. Cats need a social life with people just like you do with other people. Make her feel like she is part of your family.
If your cat seems to want to avoid his food bowl, try getting a different kind of bowl. Plastic can sometimes turn a cat off if it isn’t cleaned constantly, and can hold on to certain scents. Try glass or a metal bowl for best results, so your cat will keep eating.
Who says only dogs can do tricks? Cats are very intelligent and have the ability to learn as well, especially as young kittens. Some people train their cats to play fetch just like dogs do. There are even people who have successfully trained their cat to use a regular toilet, instead of a litter box.
Understand the difference between cat play and real aggression. Both activities can look the same to an untrained eye, but there are differences. When two cats are playing, they will bat each other around with claws retracted. They will “bite” with their jaws loose. Real aggression will involve hisses, squeals and hard biting.
If you have more than one cat, you need more than one litter box. Ideally, each cat should have its own box. This prevents the box from becoming overfilled or crowded. An unappealing shared litter box sometimes causes cats to take their bathroom business elsewhere in your house. As you can imagine, this can be quite a nasty surprise!
Do you offer your cats inexpensive food, thinking that it will last longer, and you get more for your money? The truth is, cheaper foods usually lack the proper nutrients and protein cats need in order to stay healthy. Instead, they contain fillers, such as corn, to bulk up the food. Cats need to eat more of cheaper foods, but will require less of a protein-rich food that will keep him healthier in the long run.
Cats hate a dirty litter box. Litter boxes should be scooped at least once per day, and completely changed each week. Cats are clean, picky animals, and if the litter box gets smelly or full, they will likely look for other areas to go potty. These include carpets, closets and other places you may not know about until the problem is already out of control.
Make sure to stay up to date on the required vaccinations for your kitty. Vaccinations can prevent serious illnesses, and they are very important to your cat’s overall health. Take the time to visit your veterinarian annually to make sure your pet is always up to date and remaining healthy.
Cats aren’t exactly the cheapest pets on the planet. Food bills alone are expensive enough, and when you add medical bills and more, things get even more expensive. If you take this article’s contents into consideration, you won’t have to worry about emptying your wallet in order to make sure your cat has the best.