Cats are some amazing little creatures. Cats are extremely smart and independent; however, they can also be very loving, which makes them an ideal pet. But remember that cats need proper care, and it’s not effortless. Read on to find out how to properly care for your cat.
You need to take your pet to the vet on a regular basis. Your vet will provide your cat with the shots it needs to prevent disease. Your vet can also check the overall health of your cat. Try to keep the same vet during the life of your pet. They will understand your cat and its issues better this way.
Avoid eye contact to make friends with a cat. Ever wonder why cats seem drawn to the person who likes cats the least? The answer lies in cat body language. To cats, staring is “rude” and can be considered a challenge. Looking away shows that you respect their space and are not going to be a threat. So next time you are looking to meet a new feline friend, look away and let them approach you.
Make sure your cat is properly hydrated. Like humans, cats need to drink lots of water. If they don’t get enough water, they can get dehydrated, develop various health problems, or die. Make sure they always have a bowl of fresh and clean water. The bowl itself also needs to be cleaned and refilled every day. You should also keep this bowl in one location.
An inexpensive rubber welcome mat helps keep cat food off your floor. This is also a great tool to keep your cat from tracking litter out of the box. Black rubber mats cost about three dollars at dollar stores. Put your cat food dish on one and your litter box on another.
The litter box for your cat needs to be kept in a good place. It should not be placed in a high traffic area, and it should be far away from the cat’s food. To prevent a strong stench, be sure this space is well-ventilated. Your cat and you will appreciate it.
Having a hard time giving your cat a bath? Try this. Take an old window screen and put it in your sink or bathtub. Put your cat in, and he will claw the screen and stay there. Then start washing, but do don’t dilly dally. Use a cup to help you to pour warm water on your cat unless you have a movable shower head.
Get your cat a breakaway collar. Make sure it has tags that reflect a phone number, even if you are uncomfortable with an address. Cats can run outdoors or slip away, and you don’t want to worry that you’ll never see your cat again. Make sure that there is adequate information so you can be reached.
Put the right amount of cat litter in the litter box. Some people try to get out of cleaning the box by putting too much litter in there. Cats don’t like walking on sand dunes! Two inches or so should be sufficient for the cat’s needs, and you just have to be vigilant about cleaning the box out.
Do not wait too long to scoop any waste that has accumulated in a cat litter box. When left dirty for too long, bacteria can grow and it can cause health issues for you and your kitten. It is best to do this every single day so you avoid any issues.
If you have a kitten, a very important part of raising him is to get him socialized. This means making sure he is comfortable in many situations. These include: handling by humans, grooming and nail care, vet visits, and other social situations. The time to do this is between ten and twelve weeks of age.
Acclimate your cat to its carrier. You cannot train a cat the same way you train a dog because they react differently to punishment. They respond better to encouragement. Placing some of your cats favorite items in the carrier can really help. Over time, the cat will feel comfortable and go inside the carrier. Let it happen naturally or with only mild coaxing. Do not get angry. A cat who is used to a carrier will not mind traveling, meaning it will be a much less stressful experience for them.
Understand your cat’s sounds. Meowing is a form of communication, often for food or to get your attention. There are other sounds, though. Hissing usually indicates fear or anger, so you should stay away. Cats also make certain sounds when they see prey. This often sounds like a chirp. Purring may indicate contentment, but sometimes it means nervousness.
If your cat is not getting trained to use the litter box as fast as you would like, there are sprays available that can make things a bit easier. These sprays have a scent that will attract your cat to the box, which means they will be more likely to go there when they need to use the bathroom.
When your cat is nearly ready to have her kittens, prepare a spacious, but protected area for your cat to give birth. It can take several hours for the process to unfold and all kittens to be born, so be prepared to spend some time with your cat. If the birth takes an excessively long time or you believe a kitten is stuck inside, an immediate visit to the veterinary hospital is essential.
Cats are magical and unique creatures that are perfect for homes if you take time to learn how to care for them properly. Learn all you can from this article. Once you use the things you’ve learned you’ll have a feline friend that is happy and has a great life.
