If you use proper care techniques, cats can be truly delightful pets. When you are a cat owner, you should educate yourself about the best tips for taking good care of your feline friend, and ensuring it has a great life. Keep reading for some great tips every cat owner should know about.
Set up a nice, warm and comfortable area for your cat to rest in your home. It should be lined with a warm towel or blanket. Make sure to wash the bedding regularly since it can acquire dust, dander, and anything from outside if your cat is an outdoor cat.
Cats enjoy getting into spaces that are small. If they’ve got a collar on, this may put them in danger as it can get stuck. Breakaway collars are designed to release in these situations. This kind of collar can turn a potentially-dangerous situation into a merely exasperating one.
If you own a female cat, you should have her spayed when she is old enough. This is true even if you think your cat is indoors only. One escape can lead to a lot of small kittens around! A spayed cat is a safe cat.
Don’t be pushy when you are getting to know your new cat. Cats prefer to be in control and take things at their own pace. Make sure your new cat is comfortable and safe. Let your cat take its time exploring its new environment. When your cat feels at home, it will be more likely to try to make friends with you.
Save your furniture with scratching posts and pads. It is natural for cats to want to stretch their claws out and scratch. This does not mean that a cat owner must have damaged furniture. Provide your cat with places that it is okay to scratch and redirect them there if they decide to try out your sofa. Cat scratching posts come in many shapes and materials and some cats prefer a particular type so it may take some trial and error before you find the right combination for your kitty.
Cats and electrical cords don’t mix. If you notice your cat has a habit of chewing on electric cords, try to bundle them up and hide them out of the cat’s reach. If that’s not possible, spray a little bit of bitter apple onto the cords. Not only is bitter apple non-toxic, cats absolutely hate the taste.
It can be tricky to keep a cat off the kitchen counters. Cats like heights and like to see everything happening around them. Therefore, you should create high areas for resting. For example, give them a cat tower nearby.
Use petting to check on your cat’s health. Petting isn’t just a way for you and your cat to spend time together, but it’s a great way to find anything abnormal on their body. You can pet them to feel for bumps, lumps, or sores. This is also a great time for you to check their ears.
Receiving plenty of positive, loving attention is important for your cat. Cats need companionship as much as we do. Cats, just like people, want to feel like a loved part of a family. Socialization is important to them. Your cat wants to be as much a member of the family as anyone else.
If your cat is overweight, there are two things you need to do. First, you have to adjust the amount of food you give them, and the other is that you need to get them exercising. Get them cat toys, or play with them yourself, to make sure they are getting the activity they need to slim down.
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.
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.
Most cats love to lounge right on your lap. As cozy as this can be, it is not always convenient. If your cat has a favorite spot, such as on your lap at the computer it can be hard to get things done. Getting a pet bed for your cat and perching it right next to your chair can help satisfy your cats need to be near you.
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.
Cats make great pets, but you must care for them properly. If you want your cat to thrive, take the advice here to heart. Keep the tips most important to you in a place you can find later. With proper care and attention, you will rear a loving and healthy cat.