Feral cats are ones that don’t have a home and live on the streets. Adopting a new kitten is a great way to help keep this population of wild animals down and you will find that a cat is a great pet to have. Feral cats are pests that can drive customers away from businesses, costing them a great deal of money.
Protecting your cat from household chemicals is something that you may already know, but did you know that protecting them from medications is just as important? Common over the counter medicines such as ibuprofen can be toxic to your cat, even in small doses. Keep your medication safely out of the reach of your cat.
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.
Make your own enclosed litter box from a large tote box with a lid. Use a coffee can lid as a pattern to cut a door in one side of the tote. Place the coffee can lid fairly high up on the side of the tote. Trace around it with a permanent marker. Cut out the circle with tin snips or a box cutter. Add litter. Put on the lid.
Feed your cat a proper diet. Cats are carnivores and have specific dietary needs. Feed them quality cat food that has been approved by AAFCO or the Association of American Feed Control Officials. If you wish to make your cat’s food yourself, make sure you speak with a vet about necessary supplements or specific recipes that your cat needs to eat.
Find out how much food you are supposed to be feeding your cat. While cat food containers give general information, find out from your vet how much food your cat should be eating. Many owners do not do this, and end up overfeeding their cats. Take the time to find out the proper amount so you don’t end up with an overweight kitty.
It is important to only feed your kitten food specifically made for kittens. Kitten food contains more fat and protein to help keep your growing cats body healthy. Adult cat food is leaner and is not specially formulated the same way as the kitten food. Your kitten will grow really fast in a short time-frame, so it is important that they eat right.
If you want to have your cat for many years, it is a good idea to keep them indoors. While a cat may enjoy going outside, it is statistically proven that outdoor cats live shorter lives than indoor cats. There are dangers to a cat that spends time outside, not least of all other animals.
Just because your family did it when you were a child, does not mean allowing your cat to go outside is a wise decision. This can be very unsafe for your cat. Your cat could get parasites, or worse. Cars, people, or animals could hurt your beloved pet. If letting your cat outdoors is important to you, let them out in a safe fenced area.
Most veterinarians recommend that you feed your cat food that is in the can as opposed to the dry varieties in the box or bag. This is because the canned food contains more water, fat and protein than the dry variety. It is also easier to consume for cats with dental issues.
You want your cat to be wearing a collar with ID tags on a full-time basis. This is crucial even if the cat lives inside. Cats are curious by nature, and an open window or door invites exploration. Include your vet’s info as well as your own on the tags. This is also essential if they have specific medical needs.
There are certain foods that you might eat everyday that are not healthy for your cat. Never allow your cat to nibble on garlic, onions or green tomatoes. Grapes, which seem harmless enough, are also a no-no. These foods can make your cat very ill. Refrain from feeding your cat dairy products as well.
Try your best not to feed your cat any table scraps, even if you are sure this would be better than throwing the extra food away. Once you feed your cat this type of thing, they will no longer want to eat the cat food that you give them regularly.
Try and incorporate dry food into your cats diet. Little kittens need moist food since their baby teeth can’t handle much else. Once they grow up though, dry, harder food will strengthen their teeth and keep them clean. A picky cat might like dry and wet food mixed together.
If you are concerned that your cat might be exposed to things such as fungus, fleas or rabies, you should keep him inside. Outdoor cats are much more likely to encounter these type of dangers than cats who are kept inside.
Now you know something about cat care. Cats often attack other pets and tear up your gardens if you don’t watch out. Cats need to be handled carefully, as they are sensitive. You may even find your best friend in a cat.
