After getting their first cat, many families encounter unexpected issues. Finding a pet without preparing first is a terrible mistake. However, it is impossible to anticipate every problem that can arise when you bring home a frisky feline. Luckily these tips can give you an edge and help you face the unknown.
Your cat needs a collar and tag if it goes outside. Cats can range far from your home and the tag will help them find their way home. The tag should have at least the pet’s name and the number where you can be reached.
Do not assume that because a medication is okay for you to take, that it is safe for your cat as well. Many medications made for humans are lethal to cats, such as acetaminophen containing drugs and aspirin. Always check with your veterinarian before you give your cat anything.
Pick a good spot for the cat’s litter box. You shouldn’t keep it near your pet’s food, and you shouldn’t keep it in an area people walk through a lot. Also make sure the area is well ventilated to keep the smell to a minimum. Your cat and you will appreciate it.
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.
There’s always a chance that you cat can slip outside your home and become lost. This can be prevented with a breakaway collar. The collar includes an ID, featuring your name, phone number, and address. If the cat is found, anyone can easily contact you and return the cat to you thanks to the information on the collar.
When getting a small kitten to eat dry kitten food, be patient. At first they usually just play with food. It may take a little while, but they’ll eventually learn that they are supposed to eat it rather than toy with it. If the food is moistened first with milk, a kitten may take to it faster.
If your cat has bad breath, a trip to the vet is in order. Bad breath in cats can be a red flag for tooth decay or more serious conditions. These include diabetes, stomach problems and lung disorders. So, if your cat’s breath smells worse than the food he eats, get to the bottom of the issue before it gets out of control.
Never assume that a fence will keep your cat from leaving your yard. Unless the fence is specially designed to keep cats from escaping, it’s safe to say that your cat will find a way out. Also, remember that your fence must be able to keep other animals from entering your backyard and harming your pet.
Keep your cat inside as often as you can. Indoor cats live longer and have less illness and pests than outdoor cats. Daily exercise with you doesn’t need to create risks for other cat attacks or diseases from the wild.
It is a misconception that cats should drink milk or cream after they are weaned. Once a kitten is weaned from its mother’s milk, it no longer needs milk of any kind. In fact, milk or cream can cause digestive problems when given to an adult cat. So, to be on the safe side, skip the milk, and offer your pets lots of clean water instead.
Medical conditions and other dietary factors may make it necessary to switch your cat from moist foods to dry formulas. Cats are finicky enough already, and many resist the change. For the first week or so, mix the dry food with a small amount of warm water to soften it up. Gradually decrease the liquid until your cat will eat the dry food. If you try this approach, do not allow the moistened food to sit for longer than 20 minutes; it could spoil.
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.
If you are bringing a new kitten into a home with one or more cats, purchase an extra litter box so that your other cats do not have to share right away. It may take some time for your established cats to become used to the new scent in the house.
As you think about the different types of cats you can bring home, ask yourself if you can handle a vocal cat? While each cat is different, certain breeds are significantly more vocal than others. Siamese cats, for example, are known to meow, mumble, and yowl at all hours of the day and night. If you want a companion pet, this chatty breed could be a perfect match.
Getting another pet can upset your cat initially. In the beginning, make sure the two animals stay away from one another. This will help the cat get used to the smell of the new animal. After some time has passed, slowly begin integrating the two pets together.
If you have outdoor plants and an outdoor cat, using chicken wire around your plants is a great way to keep them out of reach of your feline friend. Remember that some plants are fatal if a cat eats them, and you always want to make sure to protect the safety of your feline friend.
If you come across a cat at a friend or family member’s house, don’t look in their eyes. Cats are not a big fan of eye contact, particularly when it comes to people they don’t know very well. Therefore, they will generally approach someone who isn’t staring in their eyes.
The excellent advice provided here is helpful for any cat regardless of its breed or age. Though the concepts are the same, there will inevitably be variations and a different set of circumstances for each family. Enjoy your new cat!
