There is a lot that goes into taking care of a cat. If you’re a first time cat owner, or even if you’ve had a cat for a while, this article can help you out. Read over it carefully and you should have no problem taking better care of your cats.
Before acquiring a cat, be sure that you have the wherewithal to take care of all necessary vet care. Cats reproduce at an alarming rate, and spaying or neutering is essential to keeping cat population under control. Check spay, neuter and vaccination costs and packages with local vets and clinics and be sure you can afford to give your cat proper medical care.
Realize that cats do not normally pant. Dogs pant to keep cool. If a cat pants, it’s a sign of trouble. Your cat could be very anxious or in pain. Likewise, rapid breathing is a sign of pain or anxiety. Be sure to contact your vet right away if your cat starts panting.
Use petting to check on your cat’s health. Petting isn’t just a way for you and your cat to spend time together, but it’s a great way to find anything abnormal on their body. You can pet them to feel for bumps, lumps, or sores. This is also a great time for you to check their ears.
Whenever you take your cat anywhere, use a cat carrier. No matter how gentle your cat is, it could become frightened. If this happens, it could bolt off and be quickly lost, injured or killed. At the vet’s office, your cat will be safe from unpredictable animals if you use a pet carrier.
The litter box for your cat needs to be kept in a good place. Put the litter box in a secluded area, and make sure that it is not near the cat’s food. The area should also be well ventilated so that it doesn’t smell too badly. Both you and your cat will be happier.
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.
Make sure that you have a good tablecloth for your kitten. Cats sometimes like to eat food outside of their bowl. This creates extra work since you must then clean up the leftover loose food. Put a placemat under the bowl, or even some fabric so cleaning up is a snap.
If your cat has to have a surgery such as being spayed or neutered, they will need rest when they come home. It is hard to keep a cat from jumping up on furniture, but necessary to avoid pulling out stitches. Designate an area in your house for your cat to recuperate where they will be less likely to injure themselves, until they are healed enough to roam free.
Don’t get mad at your cat if it urinates outside the litter box. If your cat makes a mess, it’s probably because their litter box is not properly cared for. Punishing the cat will only make him afraid to be around you in the future.
The chances are good that your cat will come running for their favorite treat. There are many different recipes out there specifically for homemade cat treats. This is a fun way to spoil your cat. There is also the benefit of knowing what exactly your cat is consuming, to ensure that it is healthy for them.
Understand the difference between cat play and real aggression. Both activities can look the same to an untrained eye, but there are differences. When two cats are playing, they will bat each other around with claws retracted. They will “bite” with their jaws loose. Real aggression will involve hisses, squeals and hard biting.
Sometimes it seems as if your cat is sleeping all of his 9 lives away, however, this is perfectly normal. It is not unusual for cats to sleep up to 16 hours per day, and even more. Much of their sleep is light sleep, an instinct that keeps them ready in the event that a predator is nearby. About 25 percent of their sleep is deep sleep, where they dream and conserve energy. Cats love to sleep-a lot!
When you’re smitten with your kitten, it’s tempting to dole out treats generously. However, treats are meant to be just that. They lack the nutritional value of regular cat food. Treats should not make up more than 5 percent of your pet’s daily diet. Any more than that may prevent your cat from receiving the nutrients it needs for good health.
Stay your hand if you’re tempted to feed your cat leftovers from your own meals. Human food isn’t always good for cats. When you want to give your cat a treat, feed him no more than a tablespoon of boiled chicken or beef. Cat food, though, can make your pet’s diet complete.
If you own a cat, you should get it spayed or neutered as soon as possible. Inevitably, your cat will venture out to explore its world. Even indoor cats may try to escape. When your cat escapes for just a minute, they may impregnate another or become pregnant themselves. Overpopulation causes thousands of felines to be killed each day.
The way to take good care of your cat is to groom them often. Use a brush to remove any excess hair. Cats usually enjoy being brushed and will come running to you when they see the brush in your hand. Keep their nails trimmed so they do not grow back and injure their paws.
Now you can probably see that there is quite a bit that goes into working with cats. It isn’t difficult, but it can be time consuming. Take everything you’ve gone over here and things won’t be all that difficult for you. Good luck and enjoy taking care of your pet!
