There are many parasites that can feed on your cat. Fleas and ticks are two of the well known parasites, but there are plenty more that people forget about. The only way to stop these parasites is with knowledge. Learn how to combat them and keep them from preying on your cat with this article.
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!
Your furnishings and belongings can easily be ruined by a cat’s claws. If your couch is starting to look like it’s been put through a shredder, it’s time to invest in a nice scratching post or cat tower. When your cat scratches inappropriately, redirect him to the scratching post. It may take some time, but will be worth the effort and expense.
Give your cats easier access to a window in order to keep your curtains from getting scratched. Putting vertical blinds up will allow the easiest access for your cat, but if you need to keep your curtains, use a lightweight rod that will fall if your cat attempts to climb the curtains. It will keep both your curtains and your cat safe.
Feed your cat a proper diet. Cats are carnivores and have specific dietary needs. Feed them quality cat food that has been approved by AAFCO or the Association of American Feed Control Officials. If you wish to make your cat’s food yourself, make sure you speak with a vet about necessary supplements or specific recipes that your cat needs to eat.
Avoid bladder crystals and stones by feeding high quality food. Your cat will experience considerable pain when he has to pass these crystals, and it’s not an easy (or cheap) problem for your veterinarian to fix. Feed cats food that’s low in magnesium. This means you should pay attention to labels on food. Fish is often high in magnesium compared to chicken.
Why is your cat meowing? After you have lived with your cat for a while, you will come to know what she wants by her meow. She could be trying to tell you she’s hungry or needs to go outside. Look for the cues and you’ll be much more in tune with your pet.
Cats are great pets, but their litter boxes can be unsightly and have an odor. If you can’t stand the sight of your litter box, then it is time to go shopping. There are many different styles of litter boxes on the market. Some are even disguised as fake potted plants. Not only does it look better, it controls the smell as well.
Get your cat a breakaway collar. Make sure it has tags that reflect a phone number, even if you are uncomfortable with an address. Cats can run outdoors or slip away, and you don’t want to worry that you’ll never see your cat again. Make sure that there is adequate information so you can be reached.
Cats have a natural instinct to hunt small prey. This can sometimes be a problem if you have other small animals in your home. Make sure that bird cages are hanging from the ceiling. If you have a gerbil or hamster, make sure their cages are secure and up high out of your cats reach.
Purchase good quality food for your cat. Beef, fish or chicken, all great protein sources, should head the list of main ingredients. Some foods contain a lot of fillers like corn products, don’t buy those. Cats are carnivores and must have a lot of animal protein for proper nutrition and better health.
Your cat needs to always wear some tags on a collar. This is necessary even for an indoors pet. Cats are inquisitive and will explore an open door or window if it is presented to them. You should use a tag with your contact information and the address of your veterinarian. This is also essential if they have specific medical needs.
Help keep your cat’s fur soft and healthy with regular cleaning. While your pet might object violently to a dunk in the bathtub, there are other options. Many pet stores sell feline cleaning wipes. These convenient disposable wipes reduce allergens and remove oils and dirt. Some are scented with chamomile, which helps to calm your cat. These are especially useful if you have an older or injured pet that cannot groom itself properly.
Make sure that you play with your cat as often as possible. As a matter of fact, exercise is crucial for all animals. While older cats aren’t near as energetic, they still enjoy playing often. Make sure you and your cat are thoroughly enjoying each other.
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.
Try your best not to feed your cat any table scraps, even if you are sure this would be better than throwing the extra food away. Once you feed your cat this type of thing, they will no longer want to eat the cat food that you give them regularly.
This article featured a number of tips for dealing with cat parasites. These parasites should not be taken lightly. If ignored, they can possibly give your cat diseases, keep them from getting nutrients, and even kill them. Never let the health of your cat be taken for granted. You have the power to save them, so use it.
