Cats are among the greatest pets a person can own. Unlike dogs, cats are incredibly independent and taking care of them is much easier. However, there are still many important things you need to be responsible for when caring for a cat. The article below will help you discover what those things are.
Choose a high quality food. The key to a healthy cat starts with nutrition. Take a look at the ingredients label. If you look at most “popular” commercial cat foods, you may be surprised to see the top ingredient listed is corn. Cats are carnivores, so look for a food with a real meat as the top ingredient. You may pay more up front, but these foods are often more nutritionally dense, meaning your cat eats less and the bag lasts longer.
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.
Prevent your cat from getting zapped by coating exposed wires with bitter apple. If your cat is especially intent on chewing cords, keep them covered as much as possible. If you have any loose cords around your home, try stuffing them into a used paper towel roll. Electronic items with thin, tempting cords should always be put away when not in use.
Is your cat constantly destroying your toilet paper? Make sure that your bath tissue is stopping it from rolling over the top. You can also make or buy a toilet paper cover. These covers are not expensive and will save you money if your furry friend insists on playing with your tissue.
Let your cat exercise their hunting instinct. Cats are natural born hunters; however, this does not mean you need to allow mice to invade your home. Hide treats and toys throughout your home, and your cat will have a blast hunting down their treats. You can also find feather and laser toys that your cat can chase and pounce on.
There are a lot of cats that are overweight. An obese cat can end up developing health problems such as arthritis or diabetes. If your cat could stand to lose a pound or two, try cutting back their food a little bit at each feeding. You can also buy some toys and encourage your cat to play and exercise.
Feed a kitten proper food. A developing kitten survives exclusively on their mother’s milk for the first four weeks, a commercial formula if the mother isn’t around. When moving to regular food, feed them specially formulated kitten food until they reach maturity at the age of one. Kittens need plenty of protein while they are developing.
Think about extra care before you take home a cat with long hair. Although it may look nice, it will look much worse when it sheds all over your home. If you don’t mind cleaning, get a long-haired cat. Additionally, consider that longer-haired cats are more likely to have issues with hairballs.
Buy a pet drinking fountain to prevent dehydration. Cats are attracted to running water, so a pet drinking fountain may help to encourage your cat to drink more. Proper hydration can cure and prevent a large number of feline health problems. Therefore, a pet drinking fountain could improve the health of your cat and reduce vet bills.
Cats have an uncanny ability to always find their way home. If you move to a new home, keep your cat inside for about a month. This will help your cat to familiarize themselves with the smells of your new place. If you let your cat out too soon, they might go home to the wrong house.
It might seem like a little much for an animal, but you should comb your cat’s hair as often as possible. Combing the hair helps prevent the cat from licking loose fur and building a furball to spit up later. Different cats shed at different rates and some require a lot more maintenance than others.
Is your cat really sweet and lovable? If so, they might make a good therapy pet. Pet therapy uses animals to go into places like nursing homes, and bring some joy to the people there. Your cat will be happy with all the attention, and you can feel good about doing something positive for others.
There are a few human foods that can be quite dangerous if consumed by a cat. Chocolate and onions are two of the foods out there that can be toxic to cats. You should do all of the research you can to make sure that you are not giving your cat any food that can hurt them.
To keep your cat using the litter box, always keep it clean. No matter what kind of scented or special formula litters you may use, nothing is a substitute for removing clumps and used litter several times a day. Keep your litter box in a quiet area of your home.
Since cats can catch many diseases outside, such as rabies or fungal infections, plan on keeping your pet cat inside. While it is possible to be exposed to certain things in the house, the cat is less likely to come into contact with them if he doesn’t go outside.
As was mentioned earlier in this article, cats can make great companions. If you own a cat, or are considering getting one as a pet, use the information provided. Doing so will ensure that your cat lives a long, healthy and happy life, which is something you most definitely want.
