Do you have a cat? If you do, you know how much fun it can be. Cats are not as easy to please as dogs, but they have their own personalities and can be a great pet to have in your home. Here are some tips that will help you take care of this wonderful animal.
Take your cat in for regular vet exams. Cats need vaccinations to keep them healthy, and your vet can keep an eye out for any other health issues. Your cat will be more comfortable if you continue using the same vet. This will ensure they know the history of your cat well.
Let kittens and cat-friendly pet dogs get to know each other slowly. Put up a baby gate to keep dogs in one room while your new kitten gets used to its surroundings. Supervise carefully when the kitten ventures to the gate to meet the dogs. When the kitten feels safe, it will climb the gate. If it feels threatened, it will pop right back out to safety.
If you’d like to make an elderly cat’s bed more comfy, stick a heated tile beneath its bed. Allow a terra cotta tile to heat in an oven for 15 minutes at 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Wrap the tile in a towel and then put it under the bed. If necessary, you can change out the tile after a few hours to provide continued warmth.
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.
Keep your cat amused. Cats need to exercise and play. Sadly, many cat owners do not understand the importance of this. A lack of stimulation can lead to psychological or medical problems for your cat, including depression, compulsive disorders, and chronic misbehavior. Give them room to play and a large number of toys. A scratching post is a valuable toy to put in your home.
Put your cats’ litter box where it is most acceptable to him. It shouldn’t be put in an area with high traffic and should be far from their food. Also, minimize the smell by making sure it is a well ventilated area. Your cat will be more comfortable and you will too.
Find out how much food you are supposed to be feeding your cat. While cat food containers give general information, find out from your vet how much food your cat should be eating. Many owners do not do this, and end up overfeeding their cats. Take the time to find out the proper amount so you don’t end up with an overweight kitty.
If your cat is overweight, there are two things you need to do. First, you have to adjust the amount of food you give them, and the other is that you need to get them exercising. Get them cat toys, or play with them yourself, to make sure they are getting the activity they need to slim down.
If your cat has a tendency to eat your plants, you can stop him. You can either purchase bitter apple spray and spray the pot, or you can put a bit of clove oil on a cotton ball and bury it a bit in the soil. Your cat will avoid both.
A cat’s nails can grow really quickly. They sharpen their nails by scratching on different surfaces like a scratching post. You can help avoid your cat destroying your furniture by clipping their nails often. This will help to discourage your cat from scratching at different things around your house.
Don’t stress yourself out about instructing your cat on proper litter box usage. This is something that comes naturally and is not learned. Some cat owners believe they should expose their cat to the litter box and rub its paws into the litter; however, this may actually have the opposite effect and make your cat scared of it.
When the cat’s litter box starts to become rough and worn at the bottom, it is time to replace it. If you leave it this way, it will cause waste to accumulate in damaged areas. Your cat may be very offended by the odor and decide to use the bathroom somewhere else in the house.
Understand that your cat is easily influenced by its surroundings. Cats have superior memories and will usually retain training for a lifetime. Conversely, they also retain frightening experiences and it takes them a long time to get over their fears. Be encouraging with your cat and avoid situations that scare them.
Buy your cat a fountain to drink from. Cats like running water for drink more than water that is just sitting there. Cats usually like to drink from a water stream. In fact, many cats like to drink from a running faucet instead of drinking from their water bowls. A drinking fountain is a more environmentally-friendly way to allow them to drink naturally.
Cats can be a lot of fun if they are happy. They might never play fetch with you, but a cat is a wonderful companion. Use the tips laid out in this article to help you to properly care for this furry friend. Then, see if you can search out more tips. The more you know, the better cat owner you will be.
