If you are seeking an excellent house pet, then a cat is an excellent choice. If you have never had one, you should read this article before getting one. Keep reading to deepen your knowledge about cats.
Keep dangerous chemicals away from your cat. Just like children, cats need to be kept away from items like cleaning materials since they could harm them. These chemicals are basically poison and if your cats consumes some or gets some on them, they could get very sick, get burned, or possibly die. Store these items in a place where your cat can’t find them or use a child-proof lock on their location.
If your cat is pregnant, set up a comfortable, safe place for her to have her kittens. A big cardboard box equipped with a pillow and blanket is good. Place it in the back of a closet or other out of the way place. Keep food and water dishes nearby.
Have your cat spayed or neutered. Pet overpopulation is a growing problem, with millions of homeless cats and kittens euthanized every year. Besides the problem of too many kittens and not enough homes, unfixed cats can have a multitude of behavior problems. Males who are not neutered at a young age often start spraying to mark their territory, and females who are allowed to come into heat yowl incessantly as they try to escape to find a mate. Kittens can begin to breed as early as 4 months of age, so get your new kitten spayed or neutered as soon as possible.
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.
Make sure that you brush your cat’s coat often. This can help spread their fur’s natural oils around and stimulate blood flow to their skin. It also loosens hair that is about ready to fall out. Hairballs can be prevented this way, which often lead to choking. There will be little need for self grooming and hair build up.
Although you might find its appearance unappealing, don’t toss a scratching post when it’s getting particular worn and frazzled. Cats prefer used scratching posts. Your cat might not want to use the new scratching post and start ruining your furniture instead.
Understand that your cat is easily influenced by its surroundings. Cats have superior memories and will usually retain training for a lifetime. Conversely, they also retain frightening experiences and it takes them a long time to get over their fears. Be encouraging with your cat and avoid situations that scare them.
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.
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.
Do not place the cat litter box in the same area where you place the bowl your cat eats from. Cats want a clear separation between the two areas, so make sure you give it to them. It is not likely you would want to eat in the same place where you use the bathroom, so give your cat the same courtesy.
It is possible that placing the litter box in a new part of the house will help your cat to bond with it. Whenever a cat is using the restroom, it feels vulnerable; therefore, the litter box needs to be kept in a safe and quiet location. Try rooms that are less used, such as a basement or utility room.
If you can, keep your cat inside and close to you. Studies have proven that cats who live most of their life indoors live longer than outdoor cats. Outdoor cats face numerous predators and are at a higher risk of disease.
Do not give cat medications intended for humans. If you have a sick cat it is best to take them to someone who specializes in animal sickness, such as a veterinarian. Giving the cat medication that wasn’t meant for them can really hurt them or even kill them.
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.
Keep your cat protected from fleas and ticks. There are a few different medications available. Using these chemicals protects your pet from parasitic organisms, many of which are capable of causing serious illness. Get a brand that’s specifically for cat use to keep them safe.
Owning a cat is quite rewarding. They bring great comfort to their owner. You cannot expect to fully enjoy the company of your pet if you are unwilling to take care of it. Following the guidelines you’ve just read will allow you to improve the quality and quantity of your cat’s years.
