Cats are one of the most independent pets you can own. However, this doesn’t mean you can simply let them live their lives without caring for them. A lot goes into owning a cat and the following article has some great tips to show you exactly what you need to know. Read on and learn.
If you have multiple cats, save money on cat dishes by checking your local dollar store for salsa dishes. You can usually get a package of three for a dollar. These are sturdy and come in pretty colors. They look nice in your kitchen, and they are just the right size for cat food.
If your cat is misbehaving, you can influence its behavior in a safe and humane way by using water. Fill a small squirt gun or a spray water bottle with plain water. Give your cat a few light squirts of water when you catch it misbehaving and it will soon learn to stop doing the unwanted behavior.
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.
Do not flush clumpable litter in your toilet. This can lead to problems with your plumbing. Instead just lift the clumps and dispose of them in a trash bag. Don’t forget, moisture is what makes the litter clump in the first place! Avoid doing that to your pipes and just dispose of it properly.
Cats and small children may not always mix. Teach your kids how to treat a cat. Demonstrate the proper way to pick up a cat and what they can do with the cat. Cats need to be protected, too. Their bones are much more susceptible than dogs.
If you going to be gone for more than a day, you should have someone look in on your cat. Leave out plenty of food, but have someone come to make sure it doesn’t run out. If you do not have a neighbor or family to look in on your cat, you can usually find a cat sitter for a few dollars each day.
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.
Get your cat a breakaway collar. Make sure it has tags that reflect a phone number, even if you are uncomfortable with an address. Cats can run outdoors or slip away, and you don’t want to worry that you’ll never see your cat again. Make sure that there is adequate information so you can be reached.
If your cat dirties the space near his litter box, don’t punish them. Improper box care on your part causes the mess, not the cat. Punishments given to the cat will just make him or her less willing to be around its owner going forward.
Feed your cat quality cat food. Pay attention to the ingredient list on any food you feed them. Protein needs to be one of the very first items on the list, while fillers like corn and other grains should be avoided. Try omitting non-protein based foods such as corn from your regular diet. Since cats are carnivorous, they require animal protein to stay in the best health.
If you’re adding an additional cat to your home, give the cats a few weeks to get to know each other. Do not expect an instant friendship. Instead, look for them to hide frequently, hiss and possibly even become physical with each other. With enough time to acclimate themselves to the new arrangement, though, virtually any two cats will become willing, friendly, and perhaps even inseparable companions.
If you live in an area that is populated by wild animals, such as coyote and fox, you may need to make you cat an indoor cat. Wild animals pose a real threat to cats, and to avoid the loss of a beloved pet, it is sometimes best to keep them indoors for the course of their lives.
If your pet is avoiding its litter box, try moving it to a different spot. Whenever a cat is using the restroom, it feels vulnerable; therefore, the litter box needs to be kept in a safe and quiet location. Good examples are laundry rooms, basements and other areas away from the hustle and bustle of the home.
Use aversives to deter your feline friend from going places where it is not allowed. An aversive is anything that creates an undesirable environment for your cat. Examples include shelf paper (sticky side facing upward) and tinfoil. Most cats prefer to avoid these textures at all costs. You can also use carpet tape that has adhesive on both sides.
Sometimes it seems as if your cat is sleeping all of his 9 lives away, however, this is perfectly normal. It is not unusual for cats to sleep up to 16 hours per day, and even more. Much of their sleep is light sleep, an instinct that keeps them ready in the event that a predator is nearby. About 25 percent of their sleep is deep sleep, where they dream and conserve energy. Cats love to sleep-a lot!
As was mentioned earlier in this article, cats need a lot of attention and care if you want them to live a happy and healthy life. Make sure to implement the advice mentioned above if you’re considering getting a cat. It is information both you and your cat are sure to benefit from.
