Do you own a pet, specifically, a cat? If you are, you know just how awesome it is. Cats need a lot of care and love. Fortunately, it is quite possible to provide well for its needs. Read this article for some great ideas on how to take care of your cat.
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.
To help prevent tapeworm infestation in cats, feed a small amount of food grade diatomaceous earth for two weeks out of each month. About a quarter of a teaspoon per cat per day is adequate. Food grade diatomaceous earth kills internal parasites and causes them to be expelled from the system.
Deter your cat from chewing on inappropriate things by using bitter apple. Most office stores sell a tube that you can stick all of your wires and cords through if the spray doesn’t work. If you have any loose cords around your home, try stuffing them into a used paper towel roll. Any electronic item not in use should be stored away where the cat can’t get to it.
If you absolutely must bathe a cat, set everything up in advance. Set up two tubs large enough to dunk a cat. Fill them with comfortably warm water. Set your open bottle of cat shampoo, a heavy towel, and a secure pet carrier close by. Wear heavy rubber gloves. Grasp your cat by the scruff of the neck. Dunk, shampoo and scrub quickly in one tub. Dunk to rinse in the second tub. Wrap the cat securely in the towel and place in the carrier to dry.
Try to figure out the cause if you find your cat meowing excessively. Learning about your cat’s meows will be easier the longer you know her. She may be hungry, or she may want you to let her outside. You should pay attention to these cues and you will eventually learn to decipher them.
Never make the mistake of leaving a kitten in a room alone with small children. Never leave a pet alone with a child who is any younger than five. Young children are not yet mature enough to realize what behaviors are dangerous to a cat. As your child matures, carefully consider whether a small pet is safe with them.
Cats’ curiosity often puts them in risky situations. Something as simple as a necklace, window pull, or phone cords can cause your pet to become injured or even killed. These items should be bound securely so that they are not a source of temptation for your inquisitive pet. Many childproofing aids work just as well for your kitten.
If you have ever given your cat a bath, then you know how much they shiver when it is over. This is because their wet fur provides them with no insulation. You can help your cat out by using your hairdryer to dry the hair fast. Just remember not to hold it too close and burn your cat.
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.
When dogs are excited their tails wag from side to side. While cats are also prone to tail wagging, they do it for very different reasons. When a cat is wagging its tail, it’s actually feeling threatened and mulling over the classic question of fight or flight. Similarly, if your cats tail wags when you hold it, it’s wise to put it down at that time.
Every cat should have a collar with his name on it, the owner’s name, and a phone number. The cat may get out if it has a chance to, even house cats do this. If this occurs, you should ensure you do all you can to get your cat back.
Don’t send a declawed cat outdoors for long periods of time. The cat is defenseless against other animals, which may lead to injury or possibly death. Indoor cats are the only ones who should be considered for declawing. Make sure that only the front claws are removed. Leave the back claws, as these do not scratch your floors or furniture.
Clean your cat’s litter box. Cats will use litter boxes on instinct if they know where to find it. Let your cat go naturally and don’t manually force it to go by putting it in the box or pushing it to scratch the litter. Keep the box in a private place, scoop its contents on a daily basis and give it a periodic wash.
As you think about the different types of cats you can bring home, ask yourself if you can handle a vocal cat? While each cat is different, certain breeds are significantly more vocal than others. Siamese cats, for example, are known to meow, mumble, and yowl at all hours of the day and night. If you want a companion pet, this chatty breed could be a perfect match.
You love your cat, and you want to make sure you’re giving it the best care you can. After reading this article, you should know more about how to care of a cat properly. You should apply the tips you just read in this article to make sure your cat is happy and healthy. It is very likely that if you take good care of your cat, you will benefit from the relationship.
