Cats are a superb specimen of physical power, mental awareness, and tactile agility amongst domesticated animals. They are also very common household members across the world, and can be found in houses and on the busy streets of almost every major city. Learning to live indoors with these animals is a new challenge entirely. Such intelligent, quick animals can be stubborn and need special techniques.
Taking your cat in for regular check-ups at the veterinarian’s office is part of being a responsible pet owner. They should get their vaccinations and have a full check up. Do your best to use the same vet for your cat’s entire life. This ensures that your vet knows your cat’s medical history.
Heated tiles are great to put under a cat bed, especially for the comfort of aging felines. Heat a fabric covered heating pad in the microwave for a couple of minutes, making sure that is not too hot to the touch. Wrap it tightly in a towel and place it under the cat bed. Switch towels every few hours if you need to.
Spray electrical cords with some bitter apple to prevent cats from getting electrocuted. If your cat happens to be a champion cord-chewer, you’ll need to use cord covers to protect your cords. Bundle electrical cords together inside a tube. The cords on electronics should be hidden as well.
Feeding your male cat the proper food can help prevent crystals from forming in his urine. Your cat will experience considerable pain when he has to pass these crystals, and it’s not an easy (or cheap) problem for your veterinarian to fix. Look for foods that are low in magnesium for your cat. Take a look at the food’s label. Products including fish have a higher magnesium content then poultry based products.
If you’re taking kitty on a road trip, don’t play loud music. They don’t want to hear you singing at the top of your lungs. To keep you cat from feeling nervous, keep the volume at a lower level. A trip is already stressful for a pet.
Reconsider having an outdoor cat. It can be unsafe. They can get fleas, feline AIDS or even leukemia. They can get in a fight or be hit by a car. If you must let your cat outside, do so in a very small area of your backyard or lawn.
Do you happen to own both a dog and a cat? Dogs are known for eating other pet’s food. Therefore, your cat’s food bowl should be placed in a high location that is out of your dog’s reach. This also has the effect of stopping fights over the water before they start.
Don’t get rid of an old scratching post. Cats typically like older posts compared to newer posts. Removing the post could cause your cat to look for something else scratch, possibly damaging your furniture.
Feed canned food to your cat. Although it is usually more expensive, canned food offers real nutritional advantages. The water content is higher, and there is more protein and fat in the canned food. This will make it easier for your older cats to digest. Be sure to ask your vet about your pet’s food; however, canned food is usually the best for your cat.
It’s important for your cat to get plenty of playtime. Playing is an activity that is very popular with mammals of any age, and this includes cats and people. Older cats do not have the same energy level as younger ones, but they still like to play a little. Make sure you play with your cat at least once a day.
Think about extra care before you take home a cat with long hair. Although it may look nice, it will look much worse when it sheds all over your home. You should only get a long-haired cat if you are prepared for the extra grooming and cleaning. Long-haired cats also often have hairballs.
By applying the tips that you have read, you’ll be outsmarting your cat before you know it. They will know what they can and cannot do. Training a cat may not be as easy as training a dog, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Soon, you’ll be the owner of a well behaved cat.
