Would you save an animal if you could? Cats in shelters need you. Keep reading to find out what you need to know about adopting and caring for a cat.
If you have multiple cats, save money on cat dishes by checking your local dollar store for salsa dishes. You can usually get a package of three for a dollar. These are sturdy and come in pretty colors. They look nice in your kitchen, and they are just the right size for cat food.
Be sure to have your pet cat spayed or neutered by the time it is six months old. A spayed or neutered cat is a more satisfactory pet because it is calmer, quieter and more likely to stay home. Neutered male cats do not spray urine to mark their territory. This is definitely a plus when it comes to cat ownership.
If your cat is pregnant, set up a comfortable, safe place for her to have her kittens. A big cardboard box equipped with a pillow and blanket is good. Place it in the back of a closet or other out of the way place. Keep food and water dishes nearby.
Try to avoid your cat from becoming bored each day. Cats need to exercise and play. Unfortunately there are too many cat owners who don’t properly exercise their cats. Bored cats tend to develop emotional and mental disorders that may negatively impact their health. Spend time playing with them, and go through a variety of toys to find ones they like and will play with while you’re busy, too. Be sure your cat has something they can climb and something they can scratch if they stay inside.
Cats love to much on grass and plants such as catnip. There are plants however that are poisonous to cats. Chrysanthemums and holly are beautiful and common around the Holidays, but can be very toxic to cats. Other plants that are toxic or lethal include lilies, rhubarb and daffodils.
When traveling on the road with your cat, understand that they are sensitive to sounds. While you may like some good tunes, your cat is going to appreciate other things. So, keep your volume down, or turn it off to give your cat a better travel experience.
Cats are great pets, but their litter boxes can be unsightly and have an odor. If you can’t stand the sight of your litter box, then it is time to go shopping. There are many different styles of litter boxes on the market. Some are even disguised as fake potted plants. Not only does it look better, it controls the smell as well.
Just as important as it is to take care of your own teeth, you need to take care of your cats as well. Cats can develop tarter and plaque build-up over time. Purchasing a toothbrush and toothpaste made specially for felines is a great way to keep your cats teeth clean and healthy.
If you have more than one cat, it is a good idea for you to give them each their own food bowls. Place them far apart so that each cat has their space. If you provide just one bowl for the cats to share, it may cause larger cats to bully the smaller ones.
Do not leave wet cat food in the bowl for longer than twenty minutes after your cat is done eating it. After you see your kitten is done for the time being, throw out the rest of the food and make sure to wash their bowl thoroughly with light soap and water.
Provide safe and engaging entertainment for your cat at all times. Even if you cannot be in the house with your pet, you should ensure that it has access to toys and other diversions. Sometimes we perceive that cats are lazy animals, but that doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy playing to pass the time. This is especially important if your cat is alone in your house for long periods of time.
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.
Do your best to keep your cat as healthy as possible and take it to the vet regularly. It is especially important that you get good vet care for kittens so they get all the shots they need. Please consider your cat as a family member, and take good care of them.
Avoid using phenol-containing chemicals if you have cats. This is something that’s often in Pine-sol, Lysol, and other popular cleaners. Cats hate the smell of phenol and continuously exposing them to it could cause liver problems later in their lives.
It is a misconception that cats should drink milk or cream after they are weaned. Once a kitten is weaned from its mother’s milk, it no longer needs milk of any kind. In fact, milk or cream can cause digestive problems when given to an adult cat. So, to be on the safe side, skip the milk, and offer your pets lots of clean water instead.
If your cat has frequent hairballs, and extra brushing hasn’t helped, here are some other tips that may help. Give your cat’s regular food an addition of pumpkin (about a teaspoon’s worth). In addition to the pumpkin, try one teaspoon of water from a can of tuna. Cat food sometimes has an anti hairball formulation, which includes extra fiber in order to solve this issue.
You should be proud to take care of your kitty. You’re providing affection and shelter to a create that needs it badly. The relationship between you and the cat you care for can last a lifetime. If you care for your cat, it will return the favour.
