Cats need to eat good quality food to keep them healthy. The problem is that so many different kinds of wet and dry cat foods on the market are expensive. Here are some ways that you can feed your cat without resorting to feeding them unhealthy foods or table scraps.
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.
If your cat is getting older, you can increase it’s comfort by placing its bed over a heated tile. Just get a tile and heat it up in the oven for a while to place under the cat’s bed. Keep the temperature of the oven at 200 degrees. Wrap it up in a towel and place it under where your cat sleeps. Replace it every three hours or so.
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.
Don’t be pushy when you are getting to know your new cat. Cats prefer to be in control and take things at their own pace. Make sure your new cat is comfortable and safe. Let your cat take its time exploring its new environment. When your cat feels at home, it will be more likely to try to make friends with you.
Deter cats from shocking themselves on electrical wires by spraying them with bitter apple. You can also cover your cords under a rug or tape them to walls. 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). Electronic items with thin, tempting cords should always be put away when not in use.
Protect your cat from strangling by making sure the cords of curtains and blinds are secured and out of reach. When you make or purchase a dangly toy for your cat, be sure to supervise during play. Put the toy away if you will not be around to watch.
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.
Male cats can develop crystals that form in their urine, so prevent this with the right food. If they have to pass the crystals it can cause the cat a lot of pain and paying a vet to help with this can cost you a lot of money. Food with a low magnesium content will help. Take a look at the food’s label. Products that contain fish are normally much higher in magnesium over ones containing poultry.
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.
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.
Get a drinking fountain for your cat. Cats like running water in the wild, as well as in the home. They are more likely to get plenty of water when it is running. In fact, some cats prefer running sink water to their own water bowls. Drinking fountains are more environmentally-friendly and they let your cat drink naturally.
Let your cat take its time when you add a new cat to your home. They may fight with each other initially. Your cats will grow used to the presence of the other animal and will eventually get along.
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.
Really consider where you place the litter box. Do not hide the box simply to reduce the smell. But the most important factor is making sure your cat can easily access its littler box. You want your cat to feel comfortable using their litter box. If the box is placed on a cold floor, place a mat under it.
Do not place the cat litter box in the same area where you place the bowl your cat eats from. Cats want a clear separation between the two areas, so make sure you give it to them. It is not likely you would want to eat in the same place where you use the bathroom, so give your cat the same courtesy.
You get out of your cat what you put into it. If you give your cat the best, you get the best behavior, and the best level of health from your cat. Cat food can be expensive, but you don’t have to let this discourage you. Use these tips and feed your cat for less.
