Cats are wonderful to have around, but they aren’t always easy to live with! From food preferences to vet examinations, there are many issues to overcome if you own one. This article will show you some great tips and advice about cats and what they need.
You should get your cat a tagged collar, even if it is not legally required. Cats can get lost, and they need a tag to be found. At least put your phone number and pets name on the tag.
Think about putting a microchip in your pet. Even an indoor cat may find a way out of your home. A collar with tags increases your chances of getting your cat back if it gets lost but it can also be a risk, for instance if it gets snagged in some branches. Microchips are minuscule, but can hold all the essential information about your cat and its hope. Most shelters have a scanner that can pick up the facts located inside the chip.
You may be able to find a better deal on your cat’s prescription online instead of purchasing them from your veterinarian. There are some times when this isn’t a good idea, like when you’re dealing with a pet related emergency. For more routine situations, saving 50% by buying online is quite possible.
Use a tablecloth underneath your cat’s dish. Cats often take food from their bowls to eat on the side. Sometimes this will make the area around the bowl messy, and you’ll have to clean it. To simplify your clean up duties, place a ready made placemat under the dish or purchase some inexpensive fabric and use it like a tablecloth.
If you get a cat for your kids, make sure to set clear boundaries in advance. Tell your kids which rooms the cat is allowed in. If your cat is going to be one that stays inside, let the kids know that it’s not allowed outside. You need to establish some clear rules for your pet and ask everyone to follow them.
Try to figure out why your cat makes meowing sounds. If you stay around a cat for a period of time you will figure out what their verbal cues mean. It could be she’s hungry or needs to go outside. Make sure you are paying attention in order to better understand your cat.
Cats enjoy climbing on things. A happy cat is one that has a safe living environment. If a big cat tree is not something that can easily fit in your home, get a sturdy shelf that can be used as a perch. You can also add a small bed or blanket at the top.
When something seems amiss with your feline friend, speak with other cat owners. Although you may want to go it alone, it can be helpful to seek advice from other people that have experience owning cats. Participate in online discussion boards for cat owners, or pick up the telephone and speak with your vet.
Feed canned food to your cat. It sometimes has more benefits over dry. Your cat can get more water, fat and protein from canned food. As your cat ages, canned food is more easily chewed. Talk to your vet, but canned food is generally superior for your cat.
Pay attention to your cat’s litter box habits. If it stops using the box, medical problems could be to blame. There are a number of medical issues that can cause your cat to suddenly stop using their box. Kidney or bladder infections may be the reason. If this happens, you are advised to take your cat to the vet.
While you may be fortunate enough to own a cat that does not require a great deal of care, many cats are a bit more finicky. Use the information in this article to become a great cat owner so you can enjoy the experience fully. The research will reward you both!