The famous poet T.S. Eliot wrote on cats. T.S. Eliot once said that households depend on cats, and there may be some truth to this. A healthy, well behaved cat can be a boon to any household. Sadly, cats can be difficult to live with sometimes. You should keep reading to learn how you can become a better pet owner.
If your cat is female, you need to get it spayed at the proper age. Whether or not she typically goes outside, she may escape while in heat and you might have kittens! Having your cat spayed helps to control the pet population and will save you time and trouble.
Never use a product on your cat that is intended for dogs. Cats often have negative reactions to dog products. Flea products especially. Canine flea medications are strong and often made from a different formula than the feline version. They can cause death in cats. You should keep your cats and dogs separated after using a flea treatment.
Protecting your cat from household chemicals is something that you may already know, but did you know that protecting them from medications is just as important? Common over the counter medicines such as ibuprofen can be toxic to your cat, even in small doses. Keep your medication safely out of the reach of your cat.
Keep your cat from having a shocking experience by spraying electrical cords with bitter apple. Most office stores sell a tube that you can stick all of your wires and cords through if the spray doesn’t work. You can bundle loose cords together and place them inside paper towel rolls. The cords on electronics should be hidden as well.
Make sure to keep chemicals and dangerous substances away from your cat. Chemicals like antifreeze have a sweet taste. This encourages the cat to drink it, most often resulting in fatal consequences. Keeping your chemicals locked up in a cabinet will help to ensure that your curious cat does not end up ingesting poison.
Refrain from giving your cat any food that is spoiled. This can lead to indigestion and food poisoning, which can cost you a trip to the veterinarian. Always buy your food fresh from the store and be sure to check the expiration date before you feed it to your cat.
Do not feed your cat any kind of human food that contains bones in it. If you are giving your cat chicken or fish, be sure to remove the bones beforehand to prevent a choking hazard. Chop the food that you serve into small bits to make it easier to digest for your cat.
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.
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.
Cats can really be so much more than pets, they can be lifelong companions. It has been proven that cats can decrease your blood pressure, lessen the symptoms of depression and help you to live a longer happier life. If you feel like something is missing in your life, you might just need a cat.
If you cat is overly vocal, try to figure out exactly why he or she is making so much noise. Once you become familiar with your cat and its needs, it will become easier to determine what he needs when he meows. The cat may want something to eat or to get let out. Make sure you are paying attention in order to better understand your cat.
If your cat goes outdoors a lot, the chances are good that they come home filthy once in a while. When your cat is especially dirty or smelling like a skunk, you should make an appointment with the local groomer. Groomers will be gentle with your cat, resulting in a less traumatic experience.
Have patience with your cat. Remember that your cat is not a dog, and may not be as easily trainable as one. However, if you are being clear in your commands and gently encouraging them, you’ll find that your cat responds the way you want him to. Just be patient.
If your cat is not getting trained to use the litter box as fast as you would like, there are sprays available that can make things a bit easier. These sprays have a scent that will attract your cat to the box, which means they will be more likely to go there when they need to use the bathroom.
Look for potential problems when getting a new cat. Their eyes should be clear, nose clear as well, and the ears without any kind of discharge. The cat should have a shiny coat and the mouth and gums should be free of sores. Taking on an unhealthy cat can be expensive.
Make sure that you change your cat’s food and water on a regular basis. Just like humans, cats want to eat fresh food and drink water that is clean. Feed them at the same time each and every day if you want them to get into a regular feeding routine.
Do not use cleaning supplies with phenol in them if you have a cat. This chemical is usually in Pine-sol, Lysol, and other house cleaners. Cats hate the smell of phenol and continuously exposing them to it could cause liver problems later in their lives.
Caring for your cat is a lot of work but your cat is worth it. No matter how active your cat is, there is always room to improve our relationship with your pet. Those meows will be replaced with purrs in short order.