Few animals give a pet owner more satisfaction than the feline. They are smart, funny and have a level of arrogance to compete with some of the most conceded humans there are! Most of all though, cats need love and attention. The following article offers tips on caring for your feline friend.
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.
Local rescue organizations are a great place to look for a new pet cat. Shelters are filled with beautiful cats, and the fee for adoption will basically cover the needed vet care. When adopting a shelter cat, you’re saving a life and aiding in controlling the cat population.
If your cat is misbehaving, you can influence its behavior in a safe and humane way by using water. Fill a small squirt gun or a spray water bottle with plain water. Give your cat a few light squirts of water when you catch it misbehaving and it will soon learn to stop doing the unwanted behavior.
Most cats prefer to be mostly nocturnal. The result is that cats prefer to be more active during the night. If you find that your nocturnal kitties are waking you up in the middle of the night, the solution may be as simple as closing the door to your bedroom. This will keep the cats away while you’re trying to sleep because they won’t be jumping all over you.
Wash your cat’s bed at least once a week to remove all of the bacteria from it. Even if the bed looks like it is clean, it will usually have toxins in it that can cause your pet to become sick. Replace the bed every six months to keep your cat in a sanitary environment.
Get your cat sprayed and neutered to prevent diseases and infections that form in the reproductive system. This can also help reduce the chance for overpopulation in the country, as just one male who is not neutered can produce up to half a million offspring over the course of his life.
It is important to only feed your kitten food specifically made for kittens. Kitten food contains more fat and protein to help keep your growing cats body healthy. Adult cat food is leaner and is not specially formulated the same way as the kitten food. Your kitten will grow really fast in a short time-frame, so it is important that they eat right.
Do not use medicine meant for a dog on a cat. This is especially important for topical medicines. Cats do their own cleaning, and if a dog medicine is used on a cat, your pet can ingest it. There are some medicines that work for both cats and dogs, but only use them if the vet says it is okay.
Consider getting your cat a scratching post. Scratching is something that comes extremely easy to cats; it is part of their nature. Don’t force your cat to play with it. Rather, interest him in it by spraying catnip spray on it, or by dangling a string from the top. Soon he’ll get the idea that it’s there for a reason!
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.
Don’t let your cat go outside. This isn’t safe for your cat. Cats can attract fleas and other parasites. Other animals, cars and people can hurt your cat. If you must let your cat outside, do so in a very small area of your backyard or lawn.
You shouldn’t leave a young cat with children unattended. Younger children, especially under 5, cannot be left alone with your cat. They are just not mature enough to understand the danger they can pose for the kitten. As your child matures, carefully consider whether a small pet is safe with them.
There are a lot of cats that are overweight. An obese cat can end up developing health problems such as arthritis or diabetes. If your cat could stand to lose a pound or two, try cutting back their food a little bit at each feeding. You can also buy some toys and encourage your cat to play and exercise.
When getting a small kitten to eat dry kitten food, be patient. At first they usually just play with food. It may take a little while, but they’ll eventually learn that they are supposed to eat it rather than toy with it. If the food is moistened first with milk, a kitten may take to it faster.
You should keep wet cat food in the refrigerator after it has been opened. Bring it to room temperature before serving it to your cat, because it will smell more enticing to them and be less likely to cause an upset stomach. If you like, place it in the microwave for a bit to warm it up.
Cats have a certain way about them which really can’t be described with words. To own one though, surely is to love one! Hopefully this article has helped you in your quest to learn more about cats and taking care of them. They are amazing companions and you should enjoy yours for many years to come.
