Cats are wonderful, fascinating animals, but caring for a cat can be extremely difficult if you do not know what you are doing. If you considering adopting a cat or are a current pet cat owner, study the info contained in this article very carefully. Utilize all of the great cat tips to keep your kitty healthy.
If you have a male cat, it is important to have him neutered before he goes into heat. When male cats start maturing, they will begin to spray around the house. It smells like ammonia and is hard to remove. Having your male cat neutered can help to prevent this from happening.
Although depicted in countless movies and cartoons, milk is not the best source of nutrition for your cat. Once cats have grown, they do not need milk as a regular part of their diet. Milk can cause stomach distress and bloating. Instead of giving your cat milk, always have fresh, clean water available to them instead.
Keep your cat’s coat healthy by giving them a supplement of nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast is an inexpensive supplement that can be found in most health food stores. Simply sprinkle a little bit on your cat’s dry food, or mix it in with their wet food. Not only do they love how it tastes, but it’s full of protein and vitamins that will keep them looking their best!
Though cats make great pets for kids, younger kids may be too rough with them. Make sure your kids understand how cats should be handled. Teach them which activities are good and how to properly pick your cat up. Cats don’t have strong bones like dogs do, so they need to be treated gently.
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.
Having a hard time giving your cat a bath? Try this. Take an old window screen and put it in your sink or bathtub. Put your cat in, and he will claw the screen and stay there. Then start washing, but do don’t dilly dally. Use a cup to help you to pour warm water on your cat unless you have a movable shower head.
If you get a cat for your kids, make sure to set clear boundaries in advance. Explain where the cat is and isn’t allowed. If you’re raising an indoor cat, inform your kids that the cat can’t go outside. By getting these rules into place before having a cat, you’ll be sure that your children can understand.
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.
When you introduce a new cat into your home, you have to be careful with how your other cat reacts. Try giving the new cat a little space in one room at first, and then introduce him to the rest of the house. Make sure to have different litter boxes at first too. If you ease the new cat in, it will go more smoothly for everyone.
Most cats are prone to wax build up and ear mites. You can purchase a solution at the pet store that will clean out your cats ears. You put a couple drops in each of your cats ears and then hold them closed while massaging them for a minute. When you let go, stand back or you will get covered in the liquid when your cat shakes its head.
Check your cat if they suddenly stop using their litter-box. There are conditions that will cause a kitty to do this. This is especially true if the cat has kidney or bladder problems. Talk to the vet when your cat goes to the bathroom where they shouldn’t.
Dogs will show a lot of enthusiasm through their tail when their owner comes back home. Cats, however, move their tails or sway it side to side for totally different reasons. Tail-wagging in cats tends to suggest conflict or anxiety. Likewise, if you are holding your cat, and he suddenly starts to wag his tail, you may need to let him down to avoid swats or scratches to yourself!
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.
Kittens should never be taken from their mothers before they are eight to ten weeks old. During this time, kittens learn most of their social and instinctive behaviors, and removing them from the mother too soon can cause future behavioral issues the mother cat could have taught them had they not been removed too early.
You should never medicate a cat with something that was meant for humans. A visit to the veterinarian will ensure that your pet receives the proper medication. You can kill a cat by giving them human grade medications.
As wonderful and amazing as cats are, owning a pet cat is not always easy. To be a good cat owner you must educate yourself on the best cat care tips and advice and apply what you learn. Read this article a couple of times to gain a complete understanding of what you need to do to keep your cat healthy.
