Sharing your life and home with a cat is a very rewarding experience. From an amazing sense of humor to a whole lot of love and affection, cats give us so back so much in return for taking care of them. Use the following expert advice to give your cat everything it needs and more.
Set up a nice, warm and comfortable area for your cat to rest in your home. It should be lined with a warm towel or blanket. Make sure to wash the bedding regularly since it can acquire dust, dander, and anything from outside if your cat is an outdoor cat.
Keep a clean litter box. Like you, a cat will generally not use a bathroom that is filthy. Find a quiet area out of the way that the box can stay in, and don’t move it unless absolutely necessary. Scoop solids out a couple time of day. Make sure to dump the whole box, wash it with a gentle detergent, and refill it once a week.
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.
Don’t be pushy when you are getting to know your new cat. Cats prefer to be in control and take things at their own pace. Make sure your new cat is comfortable and safe. Let your cat take its time exploring its new environment. When your cat feels at home, it will be more likely to try to make friends with you.
If you just got your cat you want to take them to the veterinarian right away, especially if it is a feral cat or kitten. Kittens are born with parasites and need shots and medication to get rid of them. Feral cats can carry diseases. This is why it is important to have them checked out immediately.
Keep your cat’s coat healthy by giving them a supplement of nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast is an inexpensive supplement that can be found in most health food stores. Simply sprinkle a little bit on your cat’s dry food, or mix it in with their wet food. Not only do they love how it tastes, but it’s full of protein and vitamins that will keep them looking their best!
Make sure your cat is out of harms way by putting a little bitter apple on all the electrical cords to avoid them getting shocked. If your cat plays with cords, put them up and out of the way, or you can hide them in old paper towel rolls. Bundle electrical cords together inside a tube. Electronic items with tasty-looking, thin cords (video game controllers, phone chargers, and so on) should be stored securely when you’re not using them.
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.
Let your cat exercise their hunting instinct. Cats are natural born hunters; however, this does not mean you need to allow mice to invade your home. Hide treats and toys throughout your home, and your cat will have a blast hunting down their treats. You can also find feather and laser toys that your cat can chase and pounce on.
While children should help with the care and responsibilities of a cat, leave the litterbox duties to the grownups or older children. A cat’s litterbox can carry diseases and parasites. Since younger children may not follow proper handwashing procedures, this job is better left to those older and more responsible.
When bringing a new kitten home, take it slow. It is tempting for children to want to play with the new addition to your home immediately. But the young cat will likely be scared. Give the cat time to acclimate itself to your home and to get comfortable with everyone.
Purchase a drinking fountain for your cat. When cats are out in the wild they like to drink running water, and this is true in your home as well. Streams of water will attract your cat. Actually, certain cats like to drink right from the sink faucet as it runs. A fountain will allow your cat to drink like he or she is in the wild.
Really consider where you place the litter box. Many people want it in an out of the way spot. You have to accept the fact that easy access for your cat is the first priority in choosing a spot for the litter box. Cats can be picky, so you should be sure that you put its litter box in a spot that isn’t difficult to access or unpleasant in some other way. If the litter box is kept on a cement floor, then place a rug or mat underneath it.
Most people who say they don’t enjoy the company of cats have never actually owned any! The truth of the matter is that they are some of the most amazing companions on the planet. Hopefully this article addressed your needs as a cat owner or would-be cat owner and you and your feline friend will be happily ever after.
