Few pets offer the unique blend of grace, strength, independence, and affection available in the common house cat. Cats are something that a lot of homes have and they also are outside living on the streets in some cases. That said, having a cat in your home is very different! These smart and feisty creatures can be hardheaded and often require advanced care.
Properly groom your cat. They need to be brushed every day. This helps them keep their precious coat properly clean at all times. It’s also helpful in reducing how much cats shed and how often they spit out those dreaded hairballs. In order to keep shed hair down to a minimum, plus have a beautiful cat, you must groom your cat regularly.
Realize that cats do not normally pant. Dogs pant to keep cool. If a cat pants, it’s a sign of trouble. Your cat could be very anxious or in pain. Likewise, rapid breathing is a sign of pain or anxiety. Be sure to contact your vet right away if your cat starts panting.
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.
Should you leave the house with your cat, make sure that she is wearing a collar with tags. This way, if anything happens and you two become separated, anyone can find her and know how to reach you. Your cat may not like the collar all the time, but when she’s out of the house it can save her.
When training a cat, take the proper approach. Encouragement works better than anger. If you are trying to teach a kitten to use a litterbox, for instance, yelling will only frighten a small cat. When the cat starts to go outside the box, gently place them in the box so they learn.
When getting a little kitty for your kid, set boundaries beforehand. Make sure the children know where the cat is and is not allowed to roam. If you want the cat to be an inside cat, let the children know he cannot go outdoors. If your children know the rules beforehand, mishaps are less likely.
Do you have more than one cat? If so, then you should have more than one litter box as well. Having one for each of your cats will give them multiple spots to go. If the odor gets too much you can add a little baking soda to the litter to freshen it up.
You should do regular checkups of your cat between veterinarian visits. A good time to do this is when you are petting the animal. Check the entire body for things like scabs and lesions. Also look in and around the ears for any discharge, which can be a sign of ear mites. Check the cat from head to tail.
Provide safe and engaging entertainment for your cat at all times. Even if you cannot be in the house with your pet, you should ensure that it has access to toys and other diversions. Sometimes we perceive that cats are lazy animals, but that doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy playing to pass the time. This is especially important if your cat is alone in your house for long periods of time.
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 not leave the door to your washing machine or dryer open if you have cats. This is a place where cats love to crawl and take a nap, but it can be very dangerous. You don’t want to turn on the machine then find out your cat is in there. It will be very frightening for them and it may cause an injury.
Your cat will thrive if allowed to say indoors. Cats who live indoors live longer and are healthier than outdoor cats. Roaming around the house doesn’t cause as much risk as roaming the wild.
When choosing what type of cat to bring home, consider your lifestyle. Do you travel often? How long are you at home? If you will not spend a good deal of time in the company of your new pet, adopt a more mature cat. Kittens require considerable care and are easily frightened when alone. A mature cat requires care as well, but should fare well when you aren’t at home.
It’s the holidays, and you are probably thinking that this would be a great time to get a cat for your child, but in reality, it’s probably too hectic of a time for your child and the cat to get to know each other. The better way would be to involve your child in picking out their new cat at a pet store or your local shelter.
Watch your pet carefully for signs of illness. If you see your cat suddenly eating less, drinking more, seeming increasingly lazy or hiding from people that she normally loves, this could be a sign that something is medically wrong. In such cases, visit your veterinarian to get your kitty checked out as soon as possible.
You’ll be able to run circles around your cat once you have read these and other cat care tips. Your cat will soon learn where it’s allowed to go, along with where not to go. They may not be as easy to train as a dog, but cats can be trained to be well-mannered, if not always obedient.
