Becoming a cat owner is a big decision. Sure cats have a history of being independent pets, however this doesn’t mean you don’t have to take care of them. There are a number of things to consider when caring for a pet cat. The article below will illustrate what things you need to know.
Put a heated tile beneath the bed of an older cat. Place a tile made of terra cotta or a similar material in an oven heated to 200 degrees for around 15 to 20 minutes. Wrap it in an old towel and put it under your cat’s bed or blanket. Change it out every few hours if you feel the need.
Be careful when treating your cat for fleas. Be sure to consult with your vet before using natural alternatives to control your cat’s fleas. Cats are very sensitive to essential oils and many herbs. Your vet will probably recommend you use a prescription flea treatment, which is usually best for cats.
If you find you cat is harming furniture or other objects, it may be bored. Keep a few safe toys around for your cat to play with. Scratching posts can also deter your cat from scratching your furniture. Or, build a small cat house out of cardboard. Your cat will love having a place to hide, and the cardboard can also be used to scratch on!
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.
If you cat is pregnant is with babies, you can expect to have a lot of kittens on your hands. Create a comfortable place for the cat to deliver her babies somewhere in your home. Make sure the spot is big enough for the kittens to move around as they grow.
You may want to have a microchip put into your car. You never know when your cat could get away from you. A collar and identification tags can help bring your pet back to you. But experts point out that collars that do not snap apart quickly if your cat gets it caught on a branch or even a bush can accidentally strangle your cat. A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and can hold all of your contact information. Most vets and animal shelters will have a microchip scanner and because it’s under the animal’s skin it can never become lost.
If your cat tends to be antisocial and anxious with company, try giving it a catnip toy a few hours before company arrives. Many cats become very mellow when exposed to catnip. Even if your cat does not want to socialize after catnip exposure, it will probably be happier and less anxious.
Do not allow your cat to be bored frequently. Although you may believe that cats just lie around, this isn’t the case. They need their exercise. Too many cat owners forget this simple fact. Boredom can beget illness. You need to give it new toys regularly and make sure your cat has plenty of space to run and play. Give them a cat tree to play with.
If you don’t want your cat to scratch up furniture, try filling a small spray bottle with water and spritzing your cat whenever he tries. Cats generally avoid water altogether for reasons no one is sure about, so he will not like this. Eventually he will stop scratching to avoid getting sprayed.
Online outlets offer better prices for cat medicine than vets. There may be some cases in which you cannot buy online, such as in an emergency. But, if your cat is on a regular medication, you can save quite a bit by buying it online.
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.
Keep track of your feline friend by having the animal microchipped. This small device is implanted beneath the skin between your cat’s shoulder blades. Microchip implantation may sting for a few seconds, but the implant is otherwise unnoticeable and will not cause your pet any discomfort. This chip makes it easier for animal control to locate your cat if it goes missing.
Dogs will wag their tails often to show their owners that they’re excited to see them. Cats wag their tails for very different reasons than dogs though. In cats, wagging of the tail tends to indicate conflict or anxiety. It’s especially important to keep an eye on your cat’s tail when you’re holding it. If you see it start to move, it’s time to put your pet down before you wind up getting scratched!
When you are looking to finally adopt a new kitten, but don’t want to spend big bucks on an expensive bloodline, you should investigate your local shelters. Most animal shelters offer dogs and cats that need a home badly, regardless of their heritage or costs.You may be able to find a similar cat with a different cost.
As was mentioned in the beginning of this article, there are many things to consider when owning a cat. Be sure to use the information provided if you are a cat owner or are seriously considering getting a pet cat. When you take care of your cat, your cat will take care of you.
