If you were able to save a cat’s life, would you? Cats in shelters need you. You only need to adopt one and take care of it, which is easy with the information provided in this article.
To keep your cat happy and healthy, its important to schedule regular visits to the vet. Not only are regular checkups good for catching problems early, but regular visits can insure that your cat keeps up to date on its vaccinations. If you don’t know when the last time your cat had its shots, schedule an appointment for booster shots as soon as possible.
Use bitter apple on your electric cords to keep your kitty away from them. If that doesn’t work, cover those cords up however you can. If you have loose electrical cords, you can bundle them up and stow them away in a cardboard tube (think toilet paper or paper towel rolls). Cats are drawn to wires and cords, so you should keep them out of sight and out of mind if they are not being used.
Keeping cats from a counter really can be tough. Cats have a natural predilection for staking out a nice elevated place where they have a good view of their surroundings. You can remedy this by creating some place up high that you can can enjoy hanging out in. Placing a cat tower by the kitchen can keep cats from getting on counters.
Younger children can be a little rough with cats sometimes. Make sure your child knows how to treat a cat. Demonstrate the proper way to pick up a cat and what they can do with the cat. Keep in mind that a cat’s bones are much more fragile than a dog’s.
When training a cat, take the proper approach. Encouragement works better than anger. If you are trying to teach a kitten to use a litterbox, for instance, yelling will only frighten a small cat. When the cat starts to go outside the box, gently place them in the box so they learn.
Who says only dogs can do tricks? Cats are very intelligent and have the ability to learn as well, especially as young kittens. Some people train their cats to play fetch just like dogs do. There are even people who have successfully trained their cat to use a regular toilet, instead of a litter box.
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.
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.
If your cat has recently given birth, be sure she has a safe, private area to take care of them. Mother cats can become frightened by strangers or loud noise, sometimes leading to decreased milk production. They may also hide the kittens in places where you cannot find them, such as closets, or under beds.
If you’ve just met a cat, don’t look at them in their eyes. Cats do not like being stared at by people they don’t know. That’s why they are more comfortable if you are not looking at them. They are more likely to approach you that way, and more likely to kindly regard you in the future.
When getting a small kitten to eat dry kitten food, be patient. At first they usually just play with food. It may take a little while, but they’ll eventually learn that they are supposed to eat it rather than toy with it. If the food is moistened first with milk, a kitten may take to it faster.
If your cat uses the bathroom more than normal, or if they suddenly stop using the litter box, think about taking them to the veterinarian. A change in where or how a cat urinates can signal a UTI or other health problem. Certain antibiotics prescribed by your vet can clear up the problem.
While there is nothing wrong with using clumping cat litter for older felines, you should stick with sandy litter when dealing with kittens. The clumping litters are usually treated with all types of chemicals that may nto be safe for smaller cats. Once they are older, you should be able to make the switch with no issue.
Do not allow your pet to go without a tag and collar. Cats are intelligent creatures and will use any opportunity to wander outside. If there is a tagged collar on your cat, it’s more likely she’ll be returned to you if she gets lost.
Many people want their cat to be groomed and clean, so they bathe them. It’s not necessary unless there is a mishap. Cats do a good job of grooming themselves. Cat are persnickety when it comes to appearance.
Don’t leave a cat outside if the weather is really bad. Bad weather can include times of unusual cold and heat, as well as constant rain and windy periods. They may look for places to hide, often under a warm car, dangerously near the engine. Keeping a cat outside during such weather events increases the chance that the cat might become injured or die.
Giving your love and attention to a cat is an admirable pursuit. You’ve given a good home to an animal in need. This will most certainly cause a strong bond to form, lasting even longer than the animal is alive. Take great care of your cat and it will be rewarding.
