Cats are wonderful to have around, but they aren’t always easy to live with! You have many issues to consider when you have one, ranging from different diets to having their nails clipped at the vet’s office. The article below offers tips you can use to offer your cat whatever it needs.
If your cat suddenly goes off its feed for no apparent reason, try tempting treats such as jack mackerel, tuna, or cream of chicken soup in small amounts. These are not complete foods and shouldn’t be fed long term, but they are extremely tasty to cats. A finicky cat may start eating again and keep on when given one of these treats.
Check your local animal shelter if you have plans to get a cat. Shelters have a lot of cats in them and you can get one adopted for a small fee. When adopting a shelter cat, you’re saving a life and aiding in controlling the cat population.
Keep your cat occupied by making your own dangly toys. Using soft cotton rope, cut a length of about two feet. Tie a knot at one end. Tie another knot about three inches from the opposite end. Unravel the rope below this knot. Attach the rope to the back of a kitchen chair for your cat to play.
Spray bitter apple on electrical cords to keep cats away from them. Cats who love to chew need to be kept away from cords. If you have any loose cords around your home, try stuffing them into a used paper towel roll. Any electronic item not in use should be stored away where the cat can’t get to it.
Handle your kitten often. The longer your cat is handled as a kitten, the more readily they will accept being handled when they are grown, especially around their paws. This is important as all cats will have to visit the vet occasionally, and this process is much easier and less stressful if the cat is accustomed to being handled. It will also make grooming and nail trimming much easier.
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.
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.
Speak to other people if you’re having cat troubles. Although you may feel like you don’t need help, other owners may be able to give you good advice. You can find several cat forums online where you can ask questions, or you can choose to simply call your vet for advice too.
Make sure that there are enough litter boxes in your home for all of the cats that are staying there. It is optimal to have one litter box for each cat. If you live in a home that has a lot of floors, there should be one on each floor for each cat.
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.
Feed your cat high-quality cat food. Scrutinize the ingredients closely, and make sure that quality protein sources like chicken, fish and beef are first on the list. Avoid brands that use non-meat fillers like corn. Cats are naturally carnivorous. If you want to keep them healthy and happy, you need to feed them plenty of animal protein.
Think about extra care before you take home a cat with long hair. That lovely, silky coat won’t look nearly as good all over your floors as it does on the cat. You should not get a cat with long-hair unless you are ready to do a lot of cleaning. More, and longer hair, usually means more hairballs too.
If you’re tempted to load up on litter to cut back on cleanings, think again. Some people believe that the more cat litter they use, the longer they can go between emptying the litter box. Actually, this is a waste of your litter! Many cats refuse to use a litter box with more than 2 inches of litter on the bottom. Some prefer to dig to the bottom of the box before doing their business.
There are cats out there that are relatively self-sufficient, and owning one can really be a breeze. Other cats demand more from an owner, though, so you need to be ready to provide the assistance they require. Use the tips from this article to help you be the very best cat owner and fully enjoy the experience. Reading this article will better your relationship with your furry friend.
