When it comes to choosing the perfect pet, cats are the go-to choice for millions of households. Cats provide companionship and entertainment, and also keep vermin away from your home. Do your best to keep your cat in good health and happy; they will help to protect your property!
If your cat suddenly goes off its feed for no apparent reason, try tempting treats such as jack mackerel, tuna, or cream of chicken soup in small amounts. These are not complete foods and shouldn’t be fed long term, but they are extremely tasty to cats. A finicky cat may start eating again and keep on when given one of these treats.
Before acquiring a cat, be sure that you have the wherewithal to take care of all necessary vet care. Cats reproduce at an alarming rate, and spaying or neutering is essential to keeping cat population under control. Check spay, neuter and vaccination costs and packages with local vets and clinics and be sure you can afford to give your cat proper medical care.
Watch the amount of treats that you give your cat. Like humans, cats can easily overeat junk food. This can cause them to gain weight and may lead to some health problems like heart issues and diabetes. If you do give your cat treats, give them a small amount and make it a special thing instead of a regular routine.
Cats love to play so make sure that you provide them with lots of toys. Cats enjoy batting around a fake mouse or little ball around the room. Some cats even develop a favorite toy. Playing with your cat is not only fun, it helps them to get exercise too.
If you have an old cat, you can help make its bed more comfortable by placing heated tiles underneath it. Use a terra cotta tile to help relieve your cat’s aches and pains; put it in the oven on low heat – 200 degrees or so – for 15 minutes. Put it inside a cloth and place underneath your feline’s blanket or bed. If necessary, repeat this every few hours.
Get a pet water fountain. Cats can be prone to dehydration, and running water entices them to drink. It is an evolutionary habit that developed because in the wild, running water is less likely to be contaminated than a stagnant pool. Your pet will enjoy the water more, and will drink more often.
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.
Most cats are nocturnal. This means their behavior is quite active during the night. One way to deal with a kitten’s playful activity at night is just to shut your door. You can keep them from bothering you at night and getting your feet while you’re under covers.
Your cat can take lots of time to groom themselves to what they consider “perfect.” If your kitty is a long-haired breed, the result of this might be hairballs. One way to alleviate this condition in your cat is by feeding him special food. There are foods that are made to reduce the frequency of hairballs. It’s a smart move for your cat and your sanity.
The chances are good that your cat will come running for their favorite treat. There are many different recipes out there specifically for homemade cat treats. This is a fun way to spoil your cat. There is also the benefit of knowing what exactly your cat is consuming, to ensure that it is healthy for them.
Train your cat to tolerate a pet carrier. You cannot train a cat the same way you train a dog because they react differently to punishment. They need positive reinforcement. Leave the door to a carrier open at all times, and make the interior enticing with a beloved toy and blanket. Over time, the cat will feel comfortable and go inside the carrier. Let it happen naturally or with only mild coaxing. Do not get angry. This will make it easier to mobilize your cat.
If you have more than one cat, you should have as many litter boxes as you have cats. If too many cats have to share the same litter box, it can mean disaster! The cats may choose not to share their eliminating space, instead, using other areas, such as clean laundry or hidden corners of the home to do their business.
If you have more than one cat, it is a good idea for you to give them each their own food bowls. Place them far apart so that each cat has their space. If you provide just one bowl for the cats to share, it may cause larger cats to bully the smaller ones.
Don’t buy a closed litter box without first considering the disadvantages. True, it’s nice that you don’t have to see the contents of the litter box. However, odors tend to build up in closed boxes, making it necessary to clean it more frequently. Covered litter boxes also constrict your cat’s movement, which is a problem for larger pets.
Do not use cleaning supplies with phenol in them if you have a cat. Lysol and Pine-Sol are two examples of products that contain this chemical. This smell is very offensive to cats, and prolonged exposure can even damage their liver.
When you’re smitten with your kitten, it’s tempting to dole out treats generously. However, treats are meant to be just that. They lack the nutritional value of regular cat food. Treats should not make up more than 5 percent of your pet’s daily diet. Any more than that may prevent your cat from receiving the nutrients it needs for good health.
Millions of pet owners infinitely prefer the company of cats to that of barking, drooling dogs. There is no doubt that a cat has wonderful hunting skills, and can be a lot more agile than their canine friends. There are so many reasons that cats maintain a high popularity.
