Your cat probably seems like the most independent animal you’ve ever seen. They don’t seem to need your attention like a dog might, and they seem self-reliant in almost every way. That may be so, but your cat still needs some care from you. Here are some cat tips to help you give your cat the best care.
Keep your cat healthy and non-finicky by introducing a varied diet. Always purchase several different brands of food and rotate them. In this way, your cat will be used to trying and accepting new tastes. If one food brand goes out of business, you will always have lots of other acceptable choices to offer.
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!
Cats love to play on kitchen counters, and it can be hard to break them of the habit. One thing they like about it is they enjoy being high up. You may be able to battle this issue by giving your cat a high place to chill. Placing a cat tower near the kitchen will help the cats to not lay on the counter.
Cats love to much on grass and plants such as catnip. There are plants however that are poisonous to cats. Chrysanthemums and holly are beautiful and common around the Holidays, but can be very toxic to cats. Other plants that are toxic or lethal include lilies, rhubarb and daffodils.
You will often find ways to save money on medication for your cat on the Internet instead of getting it from your vet. In an emergency, however, this might not be possible. The savings can amount to almost 50 percent on regularly prescribed medications.
Consider those expensive cat litter boxes. There are cat litter boxes now that allow you to have minimal interaction with them. This can be great for anyone who is tired of cleaning a litter box. But be careful, as they may not work as easily as they claim to. If you can, make sure there is a return policy and don’t lose the receipt. You may find you prefer the old-fashioned style!
Do not use medicine meant for a dog on a cat. This is especially important for topical medicines. Cats do their own cleaning, and if a dog medicine is used on a cat, your pet can ingest it. There are some medicines that work for both cats and dogs, but only use them if the vet says it is okay.
To help avoid a finicky cat, feed your cat different brands of cat food. If your cat only eats one brand of cat food from the beginning, he will probably not like any other brand.
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 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.
When taking your cat or kitten to the vet, or to other places that involve a car ride, it is wise to socialize him to this situation. Try taking your cat, always in a carrier, on short rides, adding time to the ride every so often. Getting your pet used to the car can mean the end of his fear and frustration, as well as yours.
Keeping vaccinations up-to-date is the way to make sure your cat lives longer and more healthy. Stick to regular check-ups. Just like kids, kittens must have wellness checks and immunizations periodically to keep health issues and diseases from coming up later. When you have a cat, it becomes a member of your family, so you’ll want to ensure that it’s as healthy as possible.
There are certain foods that you might eat everyday that are not healthy for your cat. Some of these include onions, grapes, garlic and green tomatoes. Your cat can get very sick from eating these foods. Milk also often upsets your cat’s stomach.
If possible, clip your cat’s toenails once weekly. If the nails grow too long, your pet cannot retract the claws. This causes your pet to experience discomfort. Regular trimmings also prevent the claws from snagging carpet fibers, clothing, and other fabrics. If you cannot do this, you should at least provide scratching toys and posts for your cat.
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.
Caring for your cat can seem like a thankless job most of the time, but any cat owner is happy to do it. You just need to use the information in this article to be sure you are doing all you can for your independent feline companion. If you follow these tips, you might hear more purring!
