Much like humans, cats need a good diet consisting of foods that will give them the proper amount of nutrients. If they don’t, your cat runs the risk of becoming obese or malnourished. Read the piece that follows to understand the proper diet for cats.
If you have an outside cat, you need to give it a collar and some identification tags. Cats can go far from home and without a tag they could become lost forever. The tag should contain your phone number as well as your cat’s name.
If your cat kicks litter all over the floor, simply use a bigger container. A large, roomy tote with high sides makes a good litter box. A big round tub also makes a good litter box. A restaurant size bus tub is a capacious litter box. Providing higher sides and more space will solve your cat’s litter kicking problem.
Handle your kitten often. The longer your cat is handled as a kitten, the more readily they will accept being handled when they are grown, especially around their paws. This is important as all cats will have to visit the vet occasionally, and this process is much easier and less stressful if the cat is accustomed to being handled. It will also make grooming and nail trimming much easier.
Carriers are great devices for you to have as a cat owner. You cannot punish a cat the same way you would a dog. Encouragement is a better way to get your cats to perform. Place a beloved blanket or item inside the carrier and let it stay open near the cat’s usual haunts. Soon, your cat will naturally enter the carrier. It will be simpler to transport them using the carrier.
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.
If you are adding a kitten to a household that already contains a dog, it is important to socialize the kitten to the dog at an early age. At first, constant supervision is essential. Let the kitten and dog spend time together while you hold the kitten, letting them explore and get used to each other’s smells. When socialized early, cats and dogs can live happily and peacefully together.
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.
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.
If there is a place where your cat likes to use the bathroom other than the litter box, there is a simple way to deal with this. There are sprays formulated to be very offensive to cats. If you apply this spray in these areas, the cat will stay away from there.
Beginning a new job out of the house can have an impact on your cat. You can purchase another cat to keep it company when you are away.
You do not have to spend a bunch of cash on fancy toys for your cat to play with. Simple things like feathers and string are great for them to play with, and they are very economical. While you can still buy fancy toys if you like, you may get more benefit from them than your cat does.
Although cats are quite vigilant about grooming themselves, you can avoid excessive cat hair all over your house by taking time each day to stroke your cat with firm hands from head to tail each day. This daily massage will remove the hair your cat is shedding and he will enjoy the attention too!
If you have a senior cat, make sure to consider a senior blood panel at your annual veterinarian visit. A senior blood panel can give your veterinarian a glimpse inside your cat’s body. It can tell about serious conditions, such as kidney failure or a liver that is not functioning properly. Your vet can then make suggestions to help your pet recover from any problems and live longer.
Treat your cat to its very own indoor garden. Start with a shallow container filled with a 2-inch layer of soil. Plant catnip and oat grass seeds, which can be found at your local garden center. Once the grass begins to grow, place the container in a sunny area, such as a windowsill. Your cat can nibble these plants safely.
Panting in dogs is normal. However, the same is not true for cats. If your cat is panting, take him or her to the veterinarian immediately. They may simply be stressed, but they could also have a heart or respiratory problem. Don’t take any chances with their health, and seek help right away.
Keep fresh water for you cat and change the water daily. If the water is stale or stagnant, your cat may try other places to get water, like puddles that carry harmful microbes. Cats are picky about the things they eat and drink, so clean the bowl out as well.
The diet a cat eats is integral to good health. If your cat doesn’t eat right it’ll be in bad shape. It may even reduce life expectancy. Ensure your cat’s longevity and health by providing it with the food it needs.
