Cats can make great pets! 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. Knowing a bit about the care of cats is a useful skill to have, whether or not you intend to keep one as a pet.
Clip your cats nails regularly. Cats do have to scratch. However, when cats scratch, their nail sheaths come off and their sharp, pointy claws are exposed. Clipping your cat’s claws every two to three weeks keeps them blunt and helps keep harm to furniture, humans, and other pets to a minimum.
As your cat gets older, changes in behavior may signal pain. If your cat doesn’t like to jump or climb any more, it may be in pain. If your cat stops taking care of grooming or stops using its litter box, pain may be the cause. Be sure to have your older cat checked out by your vet if you notice behavior changes.
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.
Prevent your cat from chewing on electrical cords by spraying bitter apple on them. If your cat still prefers to chew on cords, then you have to make sure they stay covered. Loose cords can be bundled and tucked inside old paper towel rolls. Cats are drawn to wires and cords, so you should keep them out of sight and out of mind if they are not being used.
Protect your cat from choking. Be sure to dispose of poultry and fish bones safely. Wrap them in a paper or plastic bag and put them in your outdoor garbage can with the lid tightly secured. Alternately, place them in a plastic bag and freeze them until garbage pick up day.
Cats and electrical cords don’t mix. If you notice your cat has a habit of chewing on electric cords, try to bundle them up and hide them out of the cat’s reach. If that’s not possible, spray a little bit of bitter apple onto the cords. Not only is bitter apple non-toxic, cats absolutely hate the taste.
Be sure to show your cat affection as much as possible. Your cat will enjoy your company if you pet and play with her. Cats have a need to communicate with others to show they are part of the family. They want nothing more than to be an integral part of your family.
It is important to make sure that your cat always has fresh water available. You should refill your cats water dish everyday with clean water. There are drinking fountains that provide your cat with a constant stream of fresh water, so you do not have to worry about changing it as often.
Keep you cat’s old scratching post even if it is beginning to look worn. When a post is worn, your cats may enjoy it more. There is a good chance if you got rid of it and bought a new one that your cat would start scratching up your furniture.
Make sure your cat has identification and a collar all the time. This is essential even for indoor cats. Even the tamest indoors cat can be tempted by the possibilities presented by an open door or window. The identification tags should contain your home phone number and the number for your veterinarian. This is also important if your cat has special medical needs.
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.
Let your cat take its time when you add a new cat to your home. They may hide from one another, hiss, or even swat each other. However, if you allow them to slowly get used to each other, they will eventually become friends.
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.
Use a cat collar that gives name, address, and phone number info. Cats who stay indoors could still get out. If this occurs, make sure they can return home.
Cats will generally do whatever pleases them, and this is fine, just as long as it doesn’t destroy your property. A little training can go along way in keeping your items safe. Be gentle with your cats, and don’t scream, yell, or use violence with them. Whistles and squirt guns can alert your cat that they’re doing something wrong.
This article has given you some great tips on how to deal with cats. Cats can make great companions. Of course, you have to remember that cats can be sensitive so they need to be carefully cared for. Maybe you’ll find one you fall in love with.
